Every year or so, a list pops up revealing the dark side of fast food breakfasts. This year’s rogues’ gallery (the list can be found here) includes the Cinnabon Regular Caramel Pecanbon (1,100 calories), Hardee’s Double-Loaded Omelet Biscuit (800 calories), and the Sonic Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Toaster (620 calories—42 grams of fat). Good thing there isn’t a Cinnabon, Hardee’s, or Sonic anywhere near me.
Some readers may be surprised to find the Starbucks Zucchini-Walnut Muffin heading the list. After all, zucchini is good for you and so are walnuts. Mix them in with a bran muffin and … well, it’s not exactly bran now, is it? “Don’t be fooled by its veggie-based name,” warns health reporter Molly Raisch. “This morning baked good has close to 500 calories and 28 grams of fat.”
I love a good breakfast. In fact, as I mention in a previous post, I love a good breakfast buffet. But you won’t see me eating muffins or bagels at that buffet (a waste of valuable stomach space, in my opinion). But more to the point, if you’re looking for a solid breakfast to go, one of the oldest is still one of the best: The McDonald’s Egg McMuffin has a mere 300 calories and 12 grams of fat (and 18 grams of protein to boot). Go ahead, throw in some hash browns.