McDonald's Calories vs Real Food

This image nails a simple but powerful idea: what you think is “a little” can actually be a lot. Two plates of food side by side tell the story instantly—no text required. That’s visual persuasion at its best.

Marketing Analysis

This side-by-side comparison uses a simple reframe to trigger an emotional and logical reaction. On the left: a familiar Big Mac meal. On the right: heaps of colorful, healthy food—same calories. The viewer instantly gets the contrast without needing an explanation.

Why It Works

• Visual contrast hits faster than words
• Uses a familiar baseline (McDonald’s) for instant recognition
• Creates surprise by flipping expectations
• Feels educational, not preachy
• Evokes control and choice—core decision drivers

Examples

• Dollar Shave Club vs. razor aisle clutter in their launch video
• Apple’s “We took away the fan” MacBook demo showing silence vs. noise
• Nike’s “Before and After” athlete transformations
• Grammarly’s side-by-side writing comparisons showing clarity wins