Healthy(ish) Fast Food Breakfast
Healthy(ish) Fast Food Breakfast
If I learned anything from hanging with friends and family during my family vacation in Florida, it’s that the majority of people don’t automatically reach for green juices or inspect labels to make sure everything is organic and has less that 10 ingredients. I forget this sometimes because I'm immersed in a place and in an industry where information and trends related to fitness, wellness and nutrition are prominent. Most people are just trying to get their kids to eat SOMETHING for breakfast before they rush out the door for work with a luke warm cup of coffee in hand.
There are pros and cons to fast food: PROS: It’s fast. Duh. It sometimes tastes decent. CONS: It’s usually filled with processed ingredients, saturated fat and is super high in sodium. However, for those times when we’re in a bind, it might be the only option. So, I took one for the team and taste tested several nutritionally-decent fast food breakfast menu items and rated them for you so next time you’re on a road trip, stuck in the airport or didn’t have time for that egg white omelette before work, you know what to order at your local Mickey D’s.
Listed from best tasting to worst tasting (they were all pretty decent):
1. Panera Avocado, Egg White and Spinach on Sprouted Grain Bagel Flat: This was my favorite sandwich and the one I would pick first. The bagel flat was really delicious and there was a nice serving of egg whites, topped with spinach, tomato and avocado. It tasted like something I would make at home for breakfast. Take off the top bagel flat to reduce the calories and carbs.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 410
Protein: 21g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fat: 14g
Sodium: 590mg
2. Panera Egg and Cheese on Brioche: This brioche is so. Damn. Good. It’s buttery and yummy with the cheese. Although, I prefer some greens in my breakfast sandwich and with my eggs, so I would prefer some spinach inside like the first option.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 410
Protein: 20g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fat: 22g
Sodium: 550mg
3. Starbucks Sous Vide Egg White Bites: These are so yummy. I’ve actually had these several times when I’ve stopped in for coffee and didn’t have time for breakfast. They’re super convenient because they’re little tiny egg bites, and sooo delicious. They have cheese, red bell pepper and green onion baked in to a tiny little egg bite (it actually takes about 5 bites, but you get the idea). *tip: Ask them to toast them twice for a nice golden crunchy outside.
Nutrition Information: (2 egg white bites)
Calories: 170
Protein: 13g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fat: 7g
Sodium: 500mg
4. Starbucks Protein Box: I LOVE this snack box, and not just for breakfast. I pick it up when I’m traveling because there’s always a Starbucks and it’s filled with a variety of simple, nutrient dense snacks (that just so happen to be great for breakfast). It has two hard boiled eggs, grapes, apple slices, cheese, raisin pita and Justin’s peanut butter.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 380
Protein: 13g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fat: 19g
Sodium: 470mg
5. McDonald’s Egg White Delight English Muffin: I was pleasantly surprised by this McDonald’s breakfast sandwich. I don’t have a McDonald’s in walking distance, so I Postmated (this is officially a verb now in case you didn’t know) it and OH MY GOSH it cost me $14. Fourteen dollars. Can you imagine? I deleted my Postmates app right after. I am on Postmates Probation. This english muffin was fine, nothing to write home about, but the egg and turkey bacon tasted really fresh (I’m guessing they’re not as fresh as they tasted) and delicious. Now I get why people like McDonald’s…scary.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 280 calories
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fat: 10g
Sodium: 680 mg
6. Starbucks Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon + Cage Free Egg White Breakfast Sandwich: Disappointed. This one tastes pretty similar to the McDonald’s version, but it’s much more bland. Not impressed.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 210
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fat: 5g
Sodium: 560mg