McDonald’s is known for its fast food, but it also offers a variety of healthy breakfast options. We spoke with registered dietitians to find out what’s the best option for a healthy start to your day.
One of the healthiest meals on McDonald’s menu is the Egg McMuffin. For 310 calories, you’ll get a hearty 17 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 15% of your daily iron and calcium needs.
Egg McMuffin
A staple of McDonald’s worldwide, the Egg McMuffin is a wholesome breakfast sandwich that’s easy to prepare and satisfies your appetite. It’s made with a toasted English muffin, a cooked egg, Canadian bacon and melty American cheese.
The sandwich’s popularity began when fast food chains weren’t open at a decent hour, and people often found themselves running out of time for breakfast before work. Thankfully, a group of dedicated customers and a little pleading helped convince McDonald’s to offer extended breakfast hours.
Herb Peterson, a former advertising executive, is credited with inventing the Egg McMuffin, and its success ignited the burger chain’s more diverse menu offerings.
Nutritionally, the Egg McMuffin has fewer calories and less fat than the sausage patty. But the choice between an Egg McMuffin or sausage patty depends on your personal dietary needs and health goals.
Sausage Burrito
The Sausage Burrito is a breakfast sandwich from McDonald’s featuring sausage, eggs, cheese, green chile, and onions. The savory mixture is wrapped in a soft flour tortilla and has only 310 calories, which makes it a healthy choice for those looking for an easy breakfast option.
You can make a copycat version of the Sausage Burrito at home with just a few ingredients. Start with a flour tortilla and add a few heaping tablespoons of the sausage, egg, and cheese mixture. Top with salsa and shredded cheese and roll up the burrito tightly.
This scrumptious breakfast can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer. Simply wrap the burrito in foil, label the bag and freeze for up to a month. It’s also a great way to take breakfast on the go!
Egg White Delight
The Egg White Delight is a lightened up version of the McDonald’s famous Egg McMuffin sandwich. It comes with a slice of white cheddar cheese and extra lean Canadian bacon on a whole-grain English muffin.
This is a great breakfast option for those who are trying to stay healthy. It has a much lower calorie count than the Egg McMuffin, and has less fat and cholesterol as well.
It also has more protein than the regular Egg McMuffin, which is a plus. It has 250 calories, 7 grams of total fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 770 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein.
The Egg White Delight is a part of McDonald’s commitment to offer improved nutrition choices in its menu. It is a great alternative to the traditional Egg McMuffin, and it’s available nationwide.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite that’s loaded with antioxidants, soluble fiber, and other health-boosting ingredients. It can ward off heart disease, fight cancer, improve blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, strengthen general immunity, and boost energy.
It also helps you feel full and avoid overindulging in high-calorie snacks later in the day. Oatmeal is the best choice if you’re looking for a low-calorie option to start your day.
Whether you make it from scratch or buy it in the store, oatmeal is a great way to kickstart your day. The oats provide fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning long.
The oats are also a source of calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. You can even add healthy nuts or seeds to make the oatmeal more filling. Chia seeds are also a good choice because they’re high in soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.