Figures from McDonald’s US nutrition information , collected by Boone, checked 11 September 2026
Diet Coke (Small), as published. High and Low follow FDA’s 20% and 5% Daily Value marks. Calorie split calculated by Boone. How
The Diet Coke (Small) as published, seen four ways.
None of the three reaches 20% of the Daily Value in one drink, FDA’s mark for high.
Nothing here reaches 20% of the Daily Value in one drink.
Already the lowest in saturated fat of its section on the menu.
Sodium limits by age: 0% for an adult, 0% at age 4 to 8.
For age 4 to 8, 0mg of sodium is 0% of the day’s 1,500mg limit in one drink.
Already the lowest in sodium of its section on the menu.
For age 9 to 13, 0mg of sodium is 0% of the day’s 1,800mg limit in one drink.
Already the lowest in sodium of its section on the menu.
For age 14 to 18, 0mg of sodium is 0% of the day’s 2,300mg limit in one drink.
Already the lowest in sodium of its section on the menu.
Protein counts in your favour here, but the saturated fat is still 0% of the Daily Value.
0g of protein, #176 on the menu. Per calorie the 1% Low Fat Milk Jug gives more: 8.0g per 100 calories against 0.0g.
Most protein per calorie1% Low Fat Milk Jug →8g protein in 100 caloriesHere the 0mg of sodium counts as useful after sweaty exercise.
0g of carbohydrate, with 0% of the energy from fat.
Sugar naturally in milk, fruit and vegetables is not added sugar. Dietary Guidelines →
For smaller portions: the most nutrition per calorie, against all 247 McDonald’s US items.
More protein per calorie than 0% of the 247 items on the menu.
More fibre per calorie than 0% of the 247 items on the menu.
McDonald’s USA does not publish vitamins or minerals for this item, so Boone does not estimate them.
Within all three limits for a drink. McDonald’s USA does not publish food group amounts, so Boone cannot confirm the food group test.
43 of 247 McDonald’s US items are within the limits for their category.
FDA final rule, December 2024. Food makers must comply by 25 February 2028.
11 ingredients across 2 parts; 4 are additives or processed (orange).
Group 4 because of the additives or industrial ingredients listed above. How NOVA works →
Unsweetened Iced Tea (Extra Small) 1g protein, 10mg sodium0
Diet Coke (Large) 0g protein, 20mg sodium0Diet Coke (Medium) 0g protein, 15mg sodium0Diet Coke (Extra Small) 0g protein, 10mg sodium0Diet Coke (Small) 0g protein, 0mg sodium0
Iced Black Coffee (Small) 1g protein, 10mg sodium5Iced Black Coffee (Medium) 1g protein, 20mg sodium10Iced Black Coffee (Large) 1g protein, 30mg sodium150 calories as published. That is 0% of the 2,000-calorie Daily Value used on US food labels.
For a child aged 4 to 8 it is 0% of the day’s 1,500mg sodium limit in one item. It has no added sugar.
0g of total sugars, of which 0g is added sugar as published. That is 0.0 teaspoons and 0% of the 50g Daily Value. The Dietary Guidelines advise no more than 10g of added sugar a meal from age 11.
0g, 0.0g per 100 calories. It ranks #176 of 247 items on the menu for protein. The 1% Low Fat Milk Jug gives the most protein for the calories, 8.0g per 100 calories.
It is within FDA’s added sugars, sodium and saturated fat limits for a drink, but Boone cannot confirm the food group requirement. This is Boone’s reading of the FDA criteria; McDonald’s USA makes no ‘healthy’ claim.
Yes, NOVA group 4. The ingredient list includes acidity regulators, preservatives, colours and flavourings.
None of the 9 major US allergens are declared.
Source. McDonald’s US nutrition information , per item as sold.
Collected. Copied by Boone from McDonald’s USA’s published figures. Data checks are led by Murray Dare.
Calculated by Boone. Labelled where it appears.
References. FDA Daily Values; USDA estimated calorie needs; Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030; sodium limits by age from the National Academies; FDA ‘healthy’ claim criteria.
Cookies on Boone
We use analytics cookies to see how people use the site so we can improve it. They are only set if you accept. Cookie policy
