Have you checked the minimum wage lately?
Or 15 years ago for that matter. It was $5 nationally (I remember, I was earning it), but some states were over $7.
Hell, just five years ago the minimum wage was $5.15, $4.94 after taxes. I remember my miserable student-secretary job, working my ass off and barely getting any money for the effort. I can empathize a bit with the minimum wage workers that gotta do this stuff.
Despite the heavily couched disclaimers in the OP and subsequent explanations, I can’t get behind the complaint. Trying to curb the waste packaging of a fast food joint via special orders is just running up a sand hill.
If eating at McD’s is really your best option nutritionally and economically you’re going to have to let something go. Or let it drive you batty and let off some steam here.
I do commend the OP with not wanting any more excess waste material than necessary. although it is unlikely that he will get any less. It’s a shame when it’s just more convienent to give out extra garbage in order to get the customer out of the way.
I’m going to respond to this (as someone who lost 50+lbs on Atkins and a little bit of exercise and portion control) as clearly and simply as I can:
Sitnam, you are an idiot.
Well, let’s see: two cheesburgers without the bun is about 300 calories. Sausage McMuffin without the muffin is about the same. So it sounds like the OP gets about 600 calories for lunch (not an unreasonable amount) and 300 calories for lunch or dinner (which is somewhat low.)
I mean, it’s not the diet I chose for my weight loss, but I see no reason why this wouldn’t work. Plus it sounds like the OP gets plenty of salad and lean protein in his diet in a follow-up post. Honestly, when I went through my weight loss, the McDonald’s $1 McDouble (with bun) was my standard convenience meal order when I just needed something cheap and satisfying and not absurdly caloric (about 400 calories). It was balanced out with stuff I ate the rest of the day, but just because you’re trying to lose weight doesn’t mean you must avoid fast food at all costs. No, just make smart decisions about what you eat there. You’ll also discover that supposedly “healthy” items can be quite a bit more caloric than you’d expect.
My only comment, as one who is also eating VLC, is to be amazed that you choose Mcdonalds. I get the sausage, because I happen to love McD’s sausage. But the burgers meat is just barely tolerable hidden in a bun under a pile of dressing…never in a million would I eat a bunless Mcd burger. BLEH.
Best actual fast food MEAT is Carl’s Jr. (I don’t know where you live, if you have it, but they serve up a fat, grilled, juicy and delicious low-carb burger -lettuce for bun- that is just excellent. The meat is fresh and delicious.) followed by Wendys-Jack in the box-Burger King- pretty much anyplace else, and McD’s at the bottom.
Of course not every burger at every place: generally you want to choose the thicker, higher-end versions of burgers to get the highest quality.
To each his own, I know, but really, I’m very surprised.McDonald’s actual meat has always reminded me of school cafeteria burgers.
Oh, speaking of all this, for those who enjoy the thousand island dressing sweetburger known as Big Mac, if you have a Carl’s Jr. near you, the Big Carl is awesome. Same idea, better, bigger meat, less bread, only a 1.99.
It won’t work because the nutritional content of cheeseburger patties is absurd. If calories are all you’re concerned about, hell, he should just live on wood chips.
‘Diets’ of all kinds don’t work because they only trick your body into thinking your starving and your metabolism drops to compensate. They never seem to be a permanent lifestyle change just a temporary band aid on self image or a measure of self-flagellation. And once the dieter decides to hell with this bizarrely limiting food selection his intake goes back to normal but his metabolism does not.
Atkins specifically is ridiculous (and this laughable McDonalds diet in particular) because of the high amount of cholesterol, pressure on the kidneys, not to mention one double cheeseburger without bun is 50% of your daily saturated fat in take.
So yes, you will lose some weight temporarily eating only McDonalds cheeseburger patties. In the mean time what you’re dong to your body isn’t healthy, which could/should mean more than the loss of a few pounds.
I don’t need to be a nutritionist to know there is no silver bullet, and the other posters here and the OP should know better.
This sounds pretty sciencey and cool but I’m wondering if you have a cite for it.
Well, there is the issue of taste, too.
Look, I’m not a fan of Atkins, either, but it seems to work well enough for some people that I can’t discount it. The diet in the OP is not a “McDonalds diet” at all from what I can tell. It’s just quick on-the-go food, and the OP seems to round it out with other vegetables and lean proteins:
I actually stepped inside my local McDonald’s this AM and made my order at the counter. The guy gave me an odd look, but provided me my order as requested. I also asked him to not give me a bag, and he complied. So I saved a paper bag, a wad of napkins, and an extra container from the landfill.
Of course it’s an uphill battle, reducing fast-food waste. I’m glad I’m making an effort. I’m trying to be the change I want to see in the world, so NYAH!
I’m surprised at how this thread turned into an Atkins debate, especially since I was in no way espousing the diet for others. And yes, I know it’s not “all meat, no carbs.” It’s more like “A lot of meat, a few veggies, and carbs equal to the amount on one slice of bread daily.” You can read more about it at atkins.com, and then you can start your own thread arguing for or against it.
Thanks to those who provided interesting feedback on the actual topic of the thread!
Congratulations on your successful order-placing. 
So, they just slapped a drippy meat patty right into your palm?
Yes. Yes, they did. It’s Atkinsy-er that way.
You also conserved some fossil fuels, reduced the crap you pumped out of your idling car’s exhaust into the atmosphere, and got a little exercise. WTG! Next time, you might try parking further away or even walking/biking to lunch and making even a bigger difference for yourself and your environment. Just a thought, but good on ya for your efforts. 
Seconded. I love it when ignorant people pop off at the mouth. It’s entertaining.
Congrats on this working for you, and sorry if this has already been asked and answered, but…fried eggs, bacon, burger patties w/cheese are so easy to make at home, even in batches that can be re-heated later. I make “egg mcmuffins” and freeze them for grab and go breakfasts all the time. I also grill up burgers in big batches, put them on a plate in the fridge, then just microwave them when I want one.
Any reason why you aren’t making this stuff at home instead? At least that way you can be sure you’re getting fresh, real beef, good cheddar cheese, etc.
If I planned ahead better, I would be eating breakfast at home every day. But with a brand-new baby at home, I find myself rushing out the door with only a few minutes to get to work. That’s when drive-through comes in awfully handy. Same thing for lunch – if I was a better person, I’d be planning ahead and bringing a lunch every day! But when I’m out running errands on an hour-long lunch break, sometimes McD’s is the best option.
Understandable.
Maybe give it a try though, see if it saves you time and money. On a sunday afternoon, fry up a pound of bacon and a dozen eggs. Once cool, wrap breakfast amounts for the whole week in parchment paper and toss in freezer. Throw one in microwave while you are showering/shaving and you’re out the door with a hot breakfast!