Figures from McDonald's UK nutrition calculator, 17 to 18 August 2026 , collected by Boone
Chicken McNuggets (6 pieces), as published. Calorie split calculated by Boone. How
The Chicken McNuggets (6 pieces) as published, seen four ways.
0 of 3 limits are over 30% in one portion, the UK front-of-pack mark for high.
Nothing here passes 30% of an adult’s daily limits in one portion.
Already the lowest in salt of its section on the menu.
NHS limits by age: salt goes from 9% for an adult to 19% at age 4 to 6.
For age 4 to 6, salt is the bigger share: 0.57g is 19% of the day’s 3g limit in one portion.
Already the lowest in salt of its section on the menu.
For age 7 to 10, salt is the bigger share: 0.57g is 11% of the day’s 5g limit in one portion.
Already the lowest in salt of its section on the menu.
For age 11 to 17, salt is the bigger share: 0.57g is 9% of the day’s 6g limit in one portion.
Already the lowest in salt of its section on the menu.
Protein counts in your favour here, but the saturated fat is still 8% of the adult limit.
15g of protein, #45 on the menu. Per calorie the Chicken Selects (5 pieces) gives more: 7.0g per 100 kcal against 5.7g.
Most protein per calorieChicken Selects (5 pieces) →39g protein in 560 kcalHere the 228mg of sodium counts as useful after sweaty exercise.
21g of carbohydrate, with 45% of the energy from fat.
Natural sugars in milk, fruit and veg don’t count. NHS →
For smaller portions: the most nutrition per calorie, against all 151 McDonald's items.
More protein per calorie than 77% of the 151 items on the menu.
More fibre per calorie than 52% of the 151 items on the menu.
McDonald's does not publish vitamins or minerals for this item, so Boone does not estimate them.
The 2018 model indicates this portion is not less healthy: it scores -1, below the line of 4.
Higher is less healthy; 4 or more would be classed as less healthy under this model. How the score works →
Joint #9 of 109 on the menu for this score (lower is better).
UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 →17 ingredients across 1 part; 5 are additives or processed (orange).
Group 4 because of the additives or industrial ingredients listed above. How NOVA works →
Veggie Dippers (2 pieces) 3.3g protein, 0.57g salt160
Mozzarella Dippers (3 pieces) 9.7g protein, 1g salt248
Chicken McNuggets (6 pieces) 15g protein, 0.57g salt261
Veggie Dippers (4 pieces) 6.6g protein, 1.14g salt320
Chicken Selects (3 pieces) 23g protein, 1.6g salt336
Chicken McNuggets (9 pieces) 22g protein, 0.86g salt391Chicken Selects (5 pieces) 39g protein, 2.6g salt560
Mozzarella Dippers Sharebox (9 pieces) 29g protein, 3g salt744261 kcal as published. 261 kcal is 13% of a 2,000 kcal adult reference intake.
For a child aged 4 to 6 it is 19% of the day’s 3g salt limit and 3% of the 19g free sugar limit in one item.
0.6g of total sugar as published. Boone estimates 0.6g of it is free sugar, from dextrose, glucose syrup in the chicken McNuggets: 0.1 teaspoons and 2% of an adult’s 30g daily maximum.
15g, 5.7g per 100 kcal. It ranks #45 of 146 items on the menu for protein. The Chicken Selects (5 pieces) gives the most protein for the calories, 7.0g per 100 kcal.
-1 on the UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018, calculated by Boone per 100g. Scores run from -20 to 40, and the higher the score, the less healthy the model rates the food. Foods scoring 4 or more would be classed as less healthy under this model.
Yes, NOVA group 4. The ingredient list includes flavourings, raising agents, added proteins and modified starches and sugars.
As published, wheat and celery. Milk may be present.
Source. McDonald's UK nutrition calculator, 17 to 18 August 2026 , per item as sold.
Collected. Copied by Boone from McDonald's’s published figures. Data checks are led by Murray Dare.
Calculated by Boone. Labelled where it appears.
Limits. NHS free sugar and salt limits by age; UK reference intakes for adults.
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