Is Hamburger (McDonald´S) Acidic or Alkaline?
Hamburger (McDonald´s) (prepared) is slightly acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
The classic hamburger sits in the acid-forming range at +3.8. Beef and the wheat bun supply protein and phosphorus. Ketchup, onion and pickle push back with some potassium and keep the value below that of the cheeseburger. The PRAL doesn't capture the fat, salt and sugar in the bun and sauce. The value only describes the mineral balance.
In the Meals & Fast Food category, hamburger (McDonald´s) (prepared) ranks #76 of 118, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Ramen noodle soup (+3.8), Spätzle (+3.7), Veggie burger (+3.6). More acid-forming are Sushi with tuna (+4.0), Tarte flambée (+4.1), Maultaschen (meat filled) (+4.1).
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
On this site, acidic and alkaline refer to the PRAL (potential renal acid load). It estimates what a food leaves behind once it has been digested: a positive value is acid-forming, a negative value is alkalizing. That is different from the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0, so it is alkalizing. Your diet does not change your blood pH. It does change how much acid your kidneys have to deal with.
What balances hamburger (McDonald´s)
A meal (300 g) of hamburger (McDonald´s) adds +11.5 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hamburger (McDonald´s) acidic?
It depends on what you mean by acidic. The pH describes the food itself, for example how sour it tastes. The PRAL describes what it leaves behind after digestion: Hamburger (McDonald´s) (prepared) has a PRAL of +3.8 per 100 g, so it counts as slightly acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much spinach offsets a meal (300 g) of hamburger (McDonald´s)?
A meal (300 g) of hamburger (McDonald´s) adds +11.5 to your daily balance. Spinach (fresh) has −12.2 per 100 g, so about 90 g of spinach offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid hamburger (McDonald´s) on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Hamburger (McDonald´s) is slightly acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Hamburger (McDonald´S) logged, balance checked.
Basentracker adds up every meal automatically and shows whether your day is in the alkaline range. The same values as on this page, all 977 foods, photo scan, recipes.
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Compare all Meals & Fast Food: Meals & Fast Food table. Common questions are answered in Acidic or Alkaline?, and the PRAL calculator adds up a whole meal.
Source: Basentracker food database (PRAL according to Remer & Manz, calculated from protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium per 100 g). This information does not replace medical advice.