1. Which fast-food would you prefer, Chick-fil-a or McDonalds? Abby Grogan, Joseph Padgett, Justin Stanley, and Melba Horton University of North Georgia, Cumming Campus 300 Aquatic Circle Cumming, GA

2. Abstract McDonald is considered America’s number one fast-food chain, however, Chick-fil-a is the most popular chicken-chain (Oches 2013). Thousands of Americans visit these chains every day. This study aims to investigate whether similar food items served in both fast-food chains such as; sausage burrito, fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, and grilled chicken salad have the same ingredients, calories and nutrient contents namely: total fat, carbohydrate, and protein. It is hypothesized that there is no significant difference in ingredients and nutrient contents between the four food items served in Chick-fil-a and McDonald. Comparison of the nutrient contents and chemical ingredients of the 4 popular food items was done using the franchise websites of these fast-food joints. To determine if the difference in nutrient contents are statistically significant, T-test was used. Results showed that McDonald’s premium southwest salad and sausage burrito have more kinds of sodium-containing ingredients than Chic-fil-a’s equivalent. On the other hand, Chic- fil-a’s crispy chicken has more sodium-containing compound than McDonald’s, but the grilled chicken sandwiches from both joints have similar amount. This refutes the hypothesis indicating that the 4 food items ingredient from both joints vary. In terms of calorie, total fat, and carbohydrate contents of the 4 foods compared, the differences are not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, T-test showed that on all 4 food items compared, Chick-fil-a’s has a significantly higher protein content than those of McDonald’s. As with all nutritional components in food, it is important to eat healthy and just the proper amount that the body requires.

3. Introduction Americans are working more and with families having both parents on the job (Bureau of Statistics: Economic News Release 2014), less time is left to prepare for a healthy meal. This is why fast-food is still forming a large part of the American diet (Gallup Poll 2013). McDonalds is considered America’s number one fast-food chain, however, Chick-fil-a is the most popular chicken- chain (Oches 2013). Thousands of Americans visit each of these chains every day for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Studies appear everyday regarding the unhealthiness of fast food (Algar 2015). While some Americans are still eating burgers, many are at least trying to eat healthier and choose a leaner option. Chicken is becoming a very popular drive thru item of choice. This study aims to investigate whether similar food items served in both fast-food chains such as; sausage burrito, fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, and grilled chicken salad have the same ingredients, particularly sodium-containing compunds as well as similar calorie and nutrient contents namely: total fat, carbohydrate, and protein. It is hypothesized that there is no significant difference in terms of ingredients and nutrient contents between the four common food items served in Chick-fil-a and McDonalds fast-food chains.

4. Methodology Comparison of the nutrient contents and chemical ingredients of the 4 popular food items: chicken sandwich, premium chicken sandwich, salad, and burrito served both at Chick-fil-a and McDonalds was done using the franchise websites of these fast-food joints. To determine if the values obtained of the nutrient contents are statistically significant, t-test was used.

5. Chemical Ingredients Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich Chicken: Monosodium glutamate Thiamine mononitrate Folic acid Sodium aluminum phosphate Monocalcium phosphate Dimethylpolysiloxane Bun: Thiamin mononitrate Mono- and diglycerides Calcium peroxide Monocalcium phosphate Ammonium sulfate TBHQ ( tertiary butyl hydroquinone) Citric acid Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate McDonalds Crispy Chicken Sandwich Chicken: Sodium phosphates Maltodextrin Ammonium Bicarbonate Domethylpolysiloxame Citric acid TBHQ ( tertiary butyl hydroquinone) Bun: Thranone mononitrates Calcium carbonate Ammonium chloride Sodium stearoyl lactylate DATEM Ascorbic acid Azodicarbonamide Ethoxylated monoglycerides Monocalcium phosphate Sorbic acid Calcium propionate Figure 1. Comparison of the chemical ingredients in A) Chic-fil-a chicken sandwich and B) McDonald’s Crispy chicken sandwich. A B

6. Results As shown in Figure 1, McDonald’s Crispy Chicken sandwich has only 2 kinds of sodium- containing compounds namely; Sodium phosphates and Sodium stearoyl lactylate whereas Chic-fil-a’s chicken sandwich has 3: Monosodium glutamate, Sodium aluminum phosphate, and Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate.

7. Chemical Ingredients Chick-fil-a Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich Chicken: Corn maltodextrin Ascorbic acid Bun: Thiamin mononitrate Riboflavin Folic acid Calcium propionate Monocalcium phosphate Calcium sulfate Calcium phosphate Sodium diacetate Sodium nitrate McDonalds Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich Chicken: Maltodextrin Sodium Phosphates Bun: Thranone mononitrates Calcium carbonate Ammonium chloride Sodium steaoyl lactylate DATEM Ascorbic acid Azodicarbonamide Ethoxylated monoglycerides Monocalcium phosphate Sorbic acid Calcium propionate Figure 2. Comparison of the chemical ingredients in A) Chic-fil-a chargrilled chicken club sandwich and B) McDonald’s premium grilled chicken club sandwich. A B

8. Results As shown in Figure 2, McDonald’s Premium Grilled Chicken Club sandwich has 2 kinds of sodium-containing compounds namely; Sodium phosphates and Sodium stearoyl lactylate whereas Chic-fil-a’s Chargrilled chicken club sandwich has 2:, Sodium Diacetate and Sodium Nitrate.

9. Chemical Ingredients Chick-fil-a Southwest Chargrilled Salad Corn maltodextrin Dextrose Citric acid Ascorbic acid McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken Maltodextrin Sodium Phosphates Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Propylene Glycol Alginate Citric Acid Dextrose Figure 3. Comparison of the chemical ingredients in A) Chic-fil-a southwest chargrilled salad and B) McDonald’s premium southwest salad with grilled chicken A B

10. Results As shown in Figure 3, McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad With Grilled Chicken has 2 kinds of sodium-containing compounds namely; Sodium phosphates and Benzoate whereas Chic-fil-a’s Southwest Chargrilled Chicken Salad has none.

11. Chemical Ingredients Chick-fil-a Sausage Breakfast Burrito Thiamine mononitrate Folic acid Sodium aluminum sulfate Monocalcium phosphate Sodium acid pyrophosphate Calcium sulfate Fumaric acid Sodium metabisulfite Calcium propionate Citric acid Sodium phosphates Monosodium glutamate McDonalds Sausage Burrito Thiamin mononitrate Folic acid Sodium aluminum sulfate Sodium acid Pyrophosphate Calcium sulfate Monocalcium phosphate Silicon dioxide Carboxymethyl cellulose Sodium benzoate Sodium pyrophosphate Figure 4bFigure 4a Figure 4. Comparison of the chemical ingredients in A) Chic-fil-a sausage breakfast burrito and B) McDonald’s sausage burrito.

12. Results As shown in Figure 4, McDonalds Sausage Burrito has 4 kinds of sodium-containing compounds namely; Sodium Pyrophosphates, Sodium Acid, Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, whereas Chic-fil-a’s chicken sandwich has only 2: Sodium Phosphates and Sodium Aluminum Sulfate.

13. Results Figure 5 shows that although Chick-fil-a’s Chicken Sandwich has 20 more calories than McDonald’s Southern Style Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the latter has > 3 g total fat, > 3 g carbohydrate, and < 9 g protein than Chick-fil-a’s Chicken Sandwich. Figure 5. Comparison of the calorie, total fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents in A) Chic-fil-a chicken sandwich and B) McDonald’s Crispy chicken sandwich.

14. Figure 6 shows that Chick-fil-a’s Chargrilled Club Sandwich is the healthier choice compared to McDonald’s Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich. McDonalds sandwich has >60 calories, >4 g total fat, >3 g carbohydrates, and >9 g protein than Chick-fil-a’s sandwich. Figure 6. Comparison of the calorie, total fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents in A) Chick-fil-a Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich. B) McDonald’s Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich.

15. Figure 7 shows that although Chick-fil-a’s Southwest Chargrilled Salad has >1 g total fat, McDonald’s Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken has >40 calories, 9g carbohydrates, and >9 g protein. Figure 7. Comparison of the calorie, total fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents in A) Chick-fil-a Southwest Chargrilled Salad. B) McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken

16. Figure 8 shows that although McDonald’s Sausage Burrito has 199 calories, >12g total fat, >14g carbohydrates. Figure 8. Comparison of the calorie, total fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents in A) Chick-fil-a Sausage Breakfast Burrito. B) McDonald’s Sausage Burrito.

17. Results Generally, in terms of calories (p= 0.32), total fat (p= 0.35), and carbohydrate (p= 0.48) contents of the different food items compared between the two fast –food chains, the differences are not statistically significant. However, in terms of protein values, t- test showed that Chick-fil-a’s food items that are being compared have significantly higher protein content than those of McDonald’s food choices (p> 0.05). In our experiment, results showed that the McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad and Sausage Burrito have a greater amount of sodium-containing ingredients than the same food options served at Chick-fil-a. However, the crispy chicken sandwich offered at Chick-fil-a has a greater amount of sodium-containing ingredients than McDonalds. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich’s from both restaurants have generally the same amount of sodium-containing ingredients. This conclusion refutes the hypothesis indicating the 4 food items ingredients from both McDonalds and Chick-fil-a vary.

18. Discussion There are many reasons to be aware of the nutritional values and ingredients of the food we are putting in our bodies. For example, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. There is a direct correlation in blood pressure and sodium intake. The higher your sodium intake, the higher your blood pressure. High levels of dietary sodium are associated with hypertension, prehypertension and other possible adverse effects on health. Previous studies show that over 95% of men and over 75% of women exceed the recommended daily tolerable upper intake of sodium. Many national and international health organizations recommend that sodium intake be significantly decreased” (Doyle and Glass, 2010). Results of this study showed that the food items compared between Chic-fil-a and McDonald generally have sodium-containing compounds as an ingredient except for Chic-fil-a’s salad which does not have any sodium ingredient at all, refuting null hypothesis. Obesity can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Studies link fast food and obesity. People need to be aware of carbohydrates when making food selections. Eating too much carbohydrates can increase calorie intake, which can lead to obesity. Results of this study showed that the 4 food items compared between McDonald and Chic-fil-a have generally similar amount of total fat, carbohydrate, and calorie content supporting the null hypothesis. Nevertheless, the protein content of the 4 food items from Chic-fil-a are significantly higher than the food items from McDonald, making Chic-fil-a the better choice in this category. Protein is important to every part of the body. Proteins are used to build and repair tissues, make enzymes and hormones, as well as, help build bones and muscles. Protein will also help make you feel full, so you will take in less calories. This, in turn, helps prevent obesity. As with all nutritional components in food, it is important to eat healthy and just the proper amount that the body requires. Simply being aware of the nutritional values of your food can potentially reduce your risk of serious health problems.

19. References Doyle, M. E. and Glass, K. A. (2010), Sodium Reduction and Its Effect on Food Safety, Food Quality, and Human Health. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 9: 44–56. doi: 10.1111/j.1541-4337.2009.00096.x Oches, Sam. "The QSR 50." QSR. N.p., Aug. 2013. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Economic New Release …(complete this citation using the website below...) Gallup Poll 2013... (Complete this citation using the website below…) http://www.gallup.com/poll/163868/fast-food-major-part-diet.aspx http://www.techtimes.com/articles/24368/20150102/fast-food-still-as-unhealthy-as-ever.htm http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter8.htm http://www.webmd.com/men/features/benefits-protein?page=2 http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Menu http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/full_menu/full_menu_explorer.html http://www.healthinsurancequotes.org/mcdonalds-vs-chickfila-who-is-superior/