Kevin Maginnis, also known as @bigmaccoaching on TikTok is eating McDonald’s for 100 days in attempt to take back his health.
Maginnis, stated, “I woke up this morning and weighed in at 238 pounds… I decided that, that is absolutely unacceptable.”
After the first 12 days, he has reported a 12 pound weight loss, begging the question does this diet actually work?
As a Dietitian, I took a deeper look into the guidelines of his diet. Here are my thoughts.
Why His Diet Appears Successful
Maginnis is eating three meals a day, but he is implementing portion control. He splits every meal in half. For example, for breakfast he eats a Sausage Egg and Cheese McGriddle (550 calories) and Hash Browns (140 calories). This meal totals 690 calories; he only eats 345 calories. He saves the leftovers for the following day. For lunch and dinner, he eats a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Fries and an Apple Fritter, 1500 calories. For one day of eating his caloric intake is shy of 1900 calories. This is grossly under his caloric needs.
Based on his starting weight, age and estimated height, he would need about 2500 to 2700 calories to maintain his weight. His portion control of McDonald’s diet has created a caloric deficit of over 600 calories, more than 3500 calories a week, resulting in weight loss.
Maginnis, is also only sticking to three meals a day; he does not have any snacks and has a history of going on calorie restricting diets to drop weight.
This immediate success has him on a high. He shared his goal of dropping 50 pounds and improved labs by the end of the 100 days.
Will Kevin Reach His Goals?
He might reach his temporary goal, but at what cost?
Weight loss and an improvement on a few labs (A1c, cholesterol, triglycerides) are not the complete picture of health. Health begins at the cellular level.
After the adrenaline rush from the publicity he is receiving, Maginnis, will have to face the consequences of his dietary choices, which may include: decreased energy, increased inflammation, micro-nutrient deficiencies, irregular bowel habits and gaining all the weight back.
In Conclusion
The fast weight loss that Maginnis experienced is suddenly making people believe that McDonald’s can be healthy. The reality is that eating healthy requires work. Having to work to eat is not a bad thing. In fact, being involved in the cooking process increases the enjoyment of the actual food.
Instead of a 100 day challenge of McDonalds why not try 100 day challenge of cooking all meals at home, from scratch! That would be revoluationary in todays society!