Shape Up Series: Taste Testing the New McDonald’s Chipotle BBQ Bacon Angus Third Pounder

By: Finance Foodie

This week in my Shape Up series, I taste tested the new McDonald’s Chipotle BBQ Bacon Angus Third Pounder. “What? That can’t possibly be weight loss friendly!” you say. Correct and incorrect – yes this massive 800 calorie burger is almost ½ of the recommended daily caloric intake, BUT as I have always said – everything can and should be eaten in moderation! As a food lover, I am a firm believer that no food is “off-limits”. In fact, after much trial and error, I find the more I try to “restrict” certain items from my diet, the more I “fall off the wagon” (aka the disastrous Papa John’s incident).

Therefore, after planning to consume no more than 800 calories for the rest of my meals (which mean fat free yogurt and fruit for breakfast and steamed chicken breast for dinner), I decided to indulge my inner fatty with this juicy burger for lunch the other day. Given that the Angus burgers are so much better tasting than the McD’s regular burgers (and also much pricier, natch), I had high hopes for this new kid on the block…

…And I was not disappointed!

First, the gorilla of a burger was the size of my face, so portion-size wise, this left me super full until dinner (and even at dinner, I wasn’t that hungry). The chipotle sauce was a great flavor enhancement to the entire burger, as it provided a sweet tangy kick that wasn’t as spicy as I had initially feared. The sesame bun, although incomparable to In-and-Out’s legendary bread, was nice and fluffy and served as a great foil to the hearty and heavy Angus patty, bacon, and cheese. The only negative? At $4.00 a piece, this sandwich is heavy on everything, including the wallet. And how did I weigh-in for the week? Including the burger, here are my results…

Height: 5'1'' 
Goal Weight: 130lbs
Week 1: 140lbs (Starting Point)
Week 2: 138lbs
Week 3: 137lbs
Week 4: 136lbs
Week 5: 137lbs (HORRORS!)
Week 6: 134lbs
Week 7: 133lbs (3 LBS TO GO!)
Week 8: 132lbs (down down down!) 

Goal Body Fat: 20.0% 
Week 1: 25.0%
Week 2: 24.0%
Week 3: 24.0%
Week 4: 23.5%
Week 5: 24.2% (DOUBLE HORRORS!)
Week 6: 23.2%
Week 7: 23.0% (YAY!)
Week 8: 22.8%

 TWO more pounds to go! Almost there – but can I make it? Tune in next week and find out!

***Giveaway***

Congrats

Grand Prize #120 -- Cynthia Roberts

1st Prize #10 -- Erin

2nd Prize #23 -- Kimmie

McDonald’s wants my readers to try their new Chipotle BBQ Bacon Angus Third Pounder (IN MODERATION and ALONG WITH A HEALTHY DIET!). Three lucky financefoodie.com readers will win free McD’s -- will it be you?

Grand Prize: $25 Arch Card (McDonald’s gift card)

1st Prize: Four (4) VIP Burger Cards for a free Chipotle BBQ Bacon Angus Third Pounder *

2nd Prize: Three (3) VIP Burger Cards for a free Chipotle BBQ Bacon Angus Third Pounder *

* PS the burgers are only for sale until March 31, 2011 – so if you win, use these cards ASAP!

There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me is your favorite burger condiment? (Mine is ketchup - it makes EVERYTHING better!). Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Disclosure: McDonald's provided me with the VIP Burger cards for the giveaway. Finance Foodie Media Productions purchased the Arch Card.