Ideally, sauceologists should run a meta-analysis to definitively determine the ideal ratio. There is a possibility of a regional difference, and older studies might have higher ratios to compare to, and we're lacking data on special limited edition sauces.

Honey Mustard is probably number one, Ranch is well received but may be up to the taster. For me, ranch is second, followed by BBQ sauce.

After that... Sweet and Sour, Hot Mustard, Buffalo, and finally there was some sort of hot sauce I forgot what they called. None of it was bad, but I found the spicy ones less appropriate, especially Buffalo which I associate with wings.

To my knowledge, none of these are seasonal or a special event sauce, but a seasoned nugget specialist may know more.

(Outside of this, Sriracha is actually my favorite sauce for chicken nuggets, but that was not part of this particular experience.)

Nuggets are actually probably the best choice on the McDonalds menu for calorie counting. Relatively higher in protein and lower in carbs and fat than most other things on the menu. A sauce pot has 20% of the calories that 6 piece has though, so absolutely should be counting the sauces too (if you are indeed counting).

If you're counting calories and then restricting yourself to salads only, you're already approaching it in an unhealthy way. At least from places like McDonalds.

One of the new larger dunking style sauce packets can* be about 125 calories, so it's not nothing.