9 Fast Food Breakfasts to Avoid
Mornings can be hectic, and it’s tempting to grab fast food to save time. However, some breakfast options at popular chains are loaded with unhealthy ingredients. Nutrition expert Mary Sabat warns that these meals can derail your wellness goals. Here’s a look at nine breakfast items you should think twice about.
1. McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
This meal packs a whopping 1,340 calories. It combines pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a biscuit, resulting in high sugar and fat content. According to Sabat, it’s one of the worst choices due to its processed ingredients and empty calories that can spike your blood sugar, which may lead to an energy crash later on.
2. Hardee’s Breakfast Platter with Sausage
With 1,150 calories and 79 grams of fat, this platter is also a poor choice. It includes eggs, a biscuit, and hash browns, all of which contribute to high sodium and unhealthy fat levels. Sabat emphasizes that the meal’s refined carbs can lead to sugar spikes and crashes, making it unbalanced.
3. Burger King Ultimate Breakfast Platter
At 930 calories, this platter features eggs, sausage, and pancakes. Despite its 24 grams of protein, Sabat points out that the dish is loaded with refined carbs and high sugar levels (40 grams), which can leave you feeling sluggish and unsatisfied.
4. Hardee’s Ham Sunrise Croissant Combo
This breakfast contains around 480 calories but is not very nutritious. The buttery croissant and processed meats offer high sodium and fat content. Sabat cautions that this combo, especially with fried sides, lacks fiber, leading to long-term health issues.
5. Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator
Clocking in at 704 calories, this sandwich contains 44 grams of fat and multiple servings of cheese. While it provides a decent protein boost, the balance tips heavily toward unhealthy fats and refined carbs, which can promote inflammation and make you hungry again soon.
6. McDonald’s Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle
With 550 calories, this sandwich is also a nutritional trap. The syrup-infused griddle cakes spike sugar levels, contributing to about 44 grams of carbs. Sabat advises that while it has some protein, the overall balance is detrimental to your health.
7. Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap with Sausage
This wrap packs 750 calories and 49 grams of fat, including unhealthy saturated fats. Sabat highlights that the combination of fried ingredients and a flour tortilla leads to significant sodium intake and can spike blood sugar levels.
8. Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit
Despite its popularity, this item is not a healthy choice. At 460 calories and over 1,500 mg of sodium, this biscuit sandwich offers little fiber. Sabat warns that the refined flour can lead to a blood sugar spike, making it a poor morning fuel option.
9. Starbucks Venti White Chocolate Mocha with a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin
This combo can easily exceed 800 calories thanks to its high sugar content. The mocha alone may add 430 calories, while the muffin contributes more sugar and refined ingredients. Sabat describes this meal as more dessert than breakfast, making it a poor start to your day.
Conclusion
Fast food breakfasts can be convenient, but many options are filled with unhealthy fats, refined carbs, and sugars. These can lead to energy crashes and long-term health issues. Choosing smarter breakfast options, even when in a hurry, can make a positive difference in how you feel throughout the day. For healthier alternatives, consider waiting a few minutes for a balanced meal or preparing something wholesome at home.
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