A Coke from McDonald’s contains a significant number of calories. The exact calorie count depends on the size of the drink. McDonald’s offers Coke in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Small Coke
A small Coke from McDonald’s contains 150 calories. This serving size is 12 ounces.
150 calories may not seem like a lot, but it’s important to keep the calorie count in context. The recommended daily calorie intake for adults is around 2,000 calories. So a 12-ounce small Coke from McDonald’s contains 7.5% of the average person’s recommended daily calorie intake.
Medium Coke
A medium Coke from McDonald’s contains 210 calories. This serving size is 21 ounces.
At 210 calories, a medium McDonald’s Coke contains 10.5% of the recommended daily intake for adults. The medium is nearly 50% larger than the small size, but it only contains 40% more calories. Still, the calories in even a medium-sized soda can add up quickly.
Large Coke
A large Coke from McDonald’s contains 310 calories. This serving size is 32 ounces.
The large McDonald’s Coke packs the biggest calorie punch with 310 calories in each 32 ounce serving. That’s 15.5% of the recommended daily value. It’s more than double the calories of a small size.
Comparing McDonald’s Coke Sizes
To summarize, here are the calorie counts for the three standard McDonald’s Coke sizes:
| McDonald’s Coke Size | Ounces | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 12 oz | 150 calories |
| Medium | 21 oz | 210 calories |
| Large | 32 oz | 310 calories |
As you can see, the calorie count jumps significantly with each larger size. Choosing a small instead of a large Coke can save you 160 calories!
McDonald’s Coke Nutrition Facts
Below are some key nutrition facts for McDonald’s Coca-Cola:
- 150 calories per 12 fl oz (small)
- 210 calories per 21 fl oz (medium)
- 310 calories per 32 fl oz (large)
- 39 grams of sugar per 12 fl oz
- 54 grams of sugar per 21 fl oz
- 77 grams of sugar per 32 fl oz
- 0 grams of fat
- 0 grams of protein
- 40 mg of sodium
- 39 grams of carbohydrates per 12 fl oz
- 54 grams of carbohydrates per 21 fl oz
- 77 grams of carbohydrates per 32 fl oz
As you can see, a significant portion of the calories in McDonald’s Coke come from sugar. A 12-ounce small Coke contains 39 grams of sugar, which equates to about 9.75 teaspoons. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams or 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day for women and 36 grams or 9 teaspoons for men.
How Does McDonald’s Coke Compare to Other Sodas?
McDonald’s Coke has a similar nutrition profile to Coke purchased from other restaurants or retailers. Here’s how it compares to standard Coca-Cola products:
| Beverage (12 fl oz) | Calories | Sugar (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s Coke | 150 | 39 |
| Coca-Cola Classic | 140 | 39 |
| Diet Coke | 0 | 0 |
| Pepsi | 150 | 41 |
As you can see, the calorie and sugar content of a 12-ounce McDonald’s Coke is nearly identical to the same-sized serving of regular Coca-Cola. Both have 140-150 calories and 39 grams of sugar per 12 fluid ounces.
Diet sodas like Diet Coke and Coke Zero provide the flavor of Coke without any of the calories or sugar. And while Pepsi is also a popular soda option, it contains slightly more sugar and calories per serving compared to Coke.
Tips for Drinking McDonald’s Coke in Moderation
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to enjoy McDonald’s Coke in moderation without going overboard on calories and sugar:
- Stick to the small size or opt for a child-sized drink.
- Share a regular-sized Coke with a friend or family member.
- Dilute the Coke with ice to make it last longer.
- Alternate sips of regular Coke with sips of Diet Coke.
- Straws can help you drink slower and consume less.
- Avoid free refills so you’re not tempted to over-consume.
- If ordering a value meal, stick to water or a low/no-calorie beverage.
- Order a medium or large Diet Coke instead of regular.
While an occasional small or medium-sized Coke at McDonald’s won’t do too much damage, it’s smart to keep your overall consumption in check. Sodas like Coke can easily add unwanted calories, sugar, and weight gain if consumed in excess.
Should You Drink a Coke from McDonald’s Every Day?
Drinking a Coke every single day from McDonald’s may not be the best choice for your health. Here are some reasons why you may want to limit Coca-Cola consumption to a few times per week rather than daily:
- High calorie content could lead to weight gain over time.
- Large amounts of added sugar are linked to diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
- Phosphoric acid in soda can harm tooth enamel over time.
- Caffeine in Coke can disrupt sleep if consumed late in the day.
- Frequent consumption builds an unhealthy reliance on sweet drinks.
- You miss out on healthier beverage options like water, milk, or juice.
- A daily Coke habit can be expensive over time.
- Some studies link soda to accelerated aging through cellular damage.
Having a Coke with your McDonald’s meal here and there is OK. But making it a daily ritual is not doing any favors for your health or waistline. Limiting Coke to 2-3 times a week is a smarter strategy.
Healthier Drink Options at McDonald’s
If you want to skip the calories and sugar found in McDonald’s Coke, here are some healthier drink options to consider:
- Water – Plain or sparkling water is calorie-free and quenches thirst.
- Unsweetened Iced Tea – McDonald’s offers freshly brewed unsweetened iced tea.
- Sugar-Free Favorites – Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero Sugar, Powerade Zero.
- Reduced Fat Milk – Provides calcium, vitamin D, and protein.
- Fat Free Chocolate Milk – Offers the same nutrients plus antioxidant cocoa.
- Coffee/Hot Tea – Skip the fancy flavored coffee drinks and added sugar.
- 100% Orange Juice – Provides vitamin C and natural sugars.
- Low-Fat Smoothies – The strawberry banana and mango pineapple smoothies both have under 230 calories.
Choosing calorie-free drinks like water or unsweetened tea is your best bet if you’re watching your weight. But McDonald’s also has reasonable options like milk, coffee, juice, and low-calorie smoothies that make sense for most diets.
Should Children Drink Coke from McDonald’s?
It’s generally not a good idea for children to drink sugary sodas like Coke on a regular basis. Here’s why you may want to limit or avoid Coke for kids altogether:
- Childhood obesity – Sugary drinks are linked to weight gain and obesity in children.
- Diabetes risk – Kids who consume more sugary beverages have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Dental cavities – Soda can cause tooth decay and erode enamel in children’s developing teeth.
- Nutritional issues – Kids miss out on healthier drinks that provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Sleep disruption – Caffeine in Coke can lead to sleep problems.
- Behavior problems – Studies link soda consumption to hyperactivity and aggression in children.
- Poor hydration – Heavy soda drinkers may drink less water, increasing risk of dehydration.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children avoid all sugary drink consumption. While an occasional small soda won’t harm kids, regular consumption should be avoided. Milk, water, or juice make much healthier drink choices for growing children.
Conclusion
A Coke from McDonald’s contains 150 calories and 39 grams of sugar in a 12-ounce small size. The calorie and sugar content increases with the medium (210 calories, 54 grams of sugar) and large (310 calories, 77 grams of sugar).
While an occasional small or medium Coke at McDonald’s won’t cause much harm, regular or excessive consumption should be limited due to the high calorie, sugar, and caffeine content. Children and individuals watching their weight or managing health conditions like diabetes are better off choosing lower-calorie beverage options when visiting McDonald’s.
Overall, enjoying McDonald’s Coke in moderation is fine for most people. But limiting yourself to a few times per week rather than daily is best for your health and waistline. Be mindful of portion sizes, and opt for calorie-free drink alternatives whenever possible.