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How big is a large orange juice from McDonald’s?

Orange juice is a popular beverage choice at fast food restaurants like McDonald’s. McDonald’s offers small, medium, and large sizes of fresh-squeezed orange juice. But exactly how much orange juice do you get when you order a large size?

In this article, we’ll examine the size and nutrition facts of a McDonald’s large orange juice to find out just how big it really is.

Introduction

McDonald’s has been serving fresh-squeezed orange juice since 1955. It’s made from real oranges and provided a healthier beverage alternative even in the early days of the fast food chain. Over the years, McDonald’s has continued to offer small, medium, and large sizes of orange juice on its breakfast menu.

But the actual size of a McDonald’s large orange juice might surprise some customers. Fast food serving sizes tend to be larger than many people realize. And beverage sizes have increased over time at many quick service restaurants. Understanding just how much orange juice you get when you order a large can help you make informed menu decisions.

Serving Size of a McDonald’s Large Orange Juice

So exactly what is the serving size for a McDonald’s large orange juice? Here are the details:

  • 21 fl oz (622 mL)
  • Contains 0.7 fl oz (20 mL) of orange juice concentrate
  • Served in a 21 fl oz cup

A large McDonald’s orange juice contains 21 fl oz (622 mL) of liquid. It’s quite a sizable serving, over 3 times larger than the small size of 6 fl oz. The medium size lands in between at 12 fl oz.

Nutrition Information

In addition to being a large serving size, a McDonald’s large orange juice packs a hefty calorie and sugar count. Here are the basic nutrition facts:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 210
Total Fat 0g
Sodium 0mg
Total Carbohydrate 52g
Sugars 44g
Protein 2g

A 21 oz McDonald’s orange juice delivers 210 calories, with 52g of carbohydrates. The majority of those carbs come from the 44g of sugar. So you’re getting quite a hefty dose of sugar with this large-sized drink.

Sugar Content

To put the 44g of sugar into perspective, here’s how it compares to the daily recommended limit:

  • World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugars to 25g per day
  • American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to 36g per day for men, 25g per day for women

The 44g of sugar in one large McDonald’s orange juice exceeds the recommended daily amounts. Consuming this in one sitting isn’t ideal. It’s best to try and limit sugary drinks that pack so much sugar.

Drinking this much sugar at once can lead to energy crashes later. It also contributes excess sugar and calories to your daily diet if you’re not accounting for it elsewhere.

How Much Orange Juice Is Too Much?

Orange juice contains natural sugars, but nutrition experts caution against overdoing it. Here are some guidelines on orange juice consumption:

  • 4-6 oz serving: reasonable amount that counts as one fruit serving
  • 8 oz serving: still reasonable, but easy to over-consume
  • 12+ oz serving: excessive and unnecessary source of excess sugar

Based on these general guidelines, a 21 oz McDonald’s orange juice far exceeds a reasonable serving size. While orange juice provides vitamins like Vitamin C, most people only need one fruit serving per day.

Other McDonald’s Orange Juice Sizes

If you want to enjoy a refreshing orange juice from McDonald’s but don’t want to overdo it on sugar, stick to the small or medium size:

Size Amount Calories Sugar
Small 6 fl oz 70 15g
Medium 12 fl oz 140 30g

The small orange juice from McDonald’s is a perfectly reasonable 6 oz serving. And even the medium provides the 12 oz amount that’s still fine in moderation. Either of these make a nice treat without excessive sugar.

Comparable Sizes of Other Sugary Drinks

To compare, here’s how the McDonald’s large orange juice stacks up against other sugary beverages:

  • Can of Coke: 12 oz, 39g sugar
  • 20 oz bottle of Coke: 20 oz, 65g sugar
  • grande Starbucks Frappuccino: 16 oz, 67g sugar

The McDonald’s large OJ has more sugar than these other common sugar-sweetened drinks. A can of Coke or even a Starbucks Frappuccino has less sugar than the large 21 oz orange juice from McDonald’s.

Diluting Your Orange Juice

If you want an orange juice from McDonald’s but find the large size excessive, try diluting it. Here are two options:

  • Order a medium and add ice: Dilutes the juice to cut down on overall sugar and calories.
  • Order a large and add seltzer: Adds carbonation plus dilutes the juice to your liking.

With a little creativity, you can still enjoy orange juice from McDonald’s without overdoing it on the sugar. Be sure to account for the calories and sugar when making your other daily meal and snack choices.

Should Kids Drink Large McDonald’s Orange Juices?

The high sugar content of a large McDonald’s orange juice makes it a poor choice for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following daily sugar limits for kids:

  • Children ages 2-5: No more than 13g added sugar daily
  • Children ages 6-11: No more than 22g added sugar daily

With 44g sugar, the large size far exceeds these recommendations. The small 6 oz size is best for kids aged 4-8. While the medium 12 oz may be okay for older kids in moderation.

Is McDonald’s Orange Juice Healthy?

Freshly squeezed orange juice can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. A small or medium McDonald’s orange juice provides vitamins, potassium, and other nutrients.

However, its high natural sugar content means it’s more of a treat than a daily drink. Large servings flood your system with unnecessary sugar and calories. For good health, it’s best to stick to reasonable portions of 100% orange juice.

Conclusion

A McDonald’s large orange juice contains 21 fl oz and packs 44g of sugar. That’s over twice the recommended daily limit for added sugars. While orange juice provides beneficial nutrients, a large serving from McDonald’s is simply excessive.

To enjoy orange juice from McDonald’s without going overboard, opt for the small 6 oz or medium 12 oz size. And think of orange juice as an occasional treat, not something to guzzle daily. Be mindful of your overall sugar and calorie intake when choosing menu items like a large sugary beverage.