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Fast-Food Breakfast Picture Slideshow: Photos of the Best and Worst
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Sorting Out the Healthiest Options
While plenty of high-fat and high-calorie breakfast choices abound at fast-food restaurants, most chains offer at least one or two items that are healthier. Here are some of the worst menu items at several major chains and suggested substitutes to consider if you find yourself at the drive-through. WebMD doesn't endorse these "better bets"; some still may be too high in sodium or calories for your diet.
![Customer ordering at McDonalds drive-through](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/getty_rm_photo_of_mcdonalds_drive_through.jpg)
McDonald's: Better Bet
Your better alternative under the golden arches is the Egg McMuffin (300 calories, 12 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 820 mg sodium). To help make the healthiest choices at McDonald's or any other fast-food chain, ask for a nutrition information brochure at the counter or check out the web site. Look for items that contain some fiber and protein that will keep you feeling satisfied for hours and don’t have too much sugar, sodium, or saturated or total fat.
![McDonald's Egg McMuffin](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/mcd_photo_of_egg_mcmuffin.jpg)
Burger King: Worst Choice
Skip the Enormous Omelet Sandwich (730 calories, 45 g fat, 16 g saturated fat, and 1,949 mg sodium) containing an omelet on a specialty bun topped with bacon, sausage, and cheese -- a high-calorie, high-fat, high-sodium sandwich containing almost a day’s worth of fat and sodium.
![Burger King's Enormous Omelet Sandwich](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/bk_enormous_omelet_sandwich.jpg)
Jack in the Box: Better Bets
Take your pick and enjoy a Breakfast Jack (290 calories, 12 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 760 mg sodium and 1 g fiber) sandwich with a slice of ham, cheese and an egg, or for a few more fat calories, make it a Bacon Breakfast Jack (300 calories, 14 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 728 mg sodium, and 1 g fiber).
![Jack in the Box: Breakfast Jack](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/jack_photo_of_breakfast_jack.jpg)
Skip Carl's Junior for Breakfast
French Toast Dips with syrup are the better bet but hardly healthy. Worst bets include the Breakfast Burger loaded with a burger, egg, bacon, cheese, and hash brown nuggets (830 calories, 47 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, 1,580 mg sodium, and 3 g fiber) or the hard-to-hold Loaded Breakfast Burrito bursting with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, 2 cheeses, and salsa wrapped in a tortilla (820 calories, 51 g fat, 16 g saturated fat, 1,530 mg sodium, and 2 grams fiber).
![Heavy breakfast food from Carl's Jr.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/carls_photo_of_breakfast_burger.jpg)
Dunkin' Donuts: Better Bets
Pair your favorite coffee with a wheat bagel (330 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 12 g protein, 4 g fiber) or a multigrain bagel (380 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 14 g protein, 5 g fiber) high in satisfying fiber and protein that will keep you going strong. Or eat half of a high-fiber Honey Bran Raisin Muffin.
![Dunkin' Donuts multigrain bagel and raisin muffin](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fast_food_breakfast_slideshow/DD_multigrain_muffin_bagel.jpg)
Starbucks: Better Bets
Starbucks is a popular morning stop for coffee and a quick treat. Breakfast items vary by region, featuring both indulgent and healthy choices. Better bets include the Spinach Roasted Tomato, Feta & Egg Wrap (240 calories, 10 g fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, 13 g protein, 7 g fiber), the fruit and cheese platter, and any of the low-fat bran muffins, scones, and coffee cake.
![Starbucks spinach breakfast wrap](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/starbx_spinach_feta_wrap.jpg)
Benefits of a Healthy Morning Meal
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day -- it gives you energy to start the day and is linked to many health benefits. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can help give you a nutritionally complete diet, higher in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals; better weight control; improved concentration and performance in the classroom or the boardroom; more strength and energy to engage in physical activity; and lower cholesterol levels.
![Jogger stretching for morning exercise](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/getty_rf_photo_of_morning_stretch.jpg)
Bottom Line on Breakfast
If you find yourself at a fast-food chain in the morning, always opt for the healthiest breakfast options, or eat a smaller portion and save the other half. You can eat out healthfully, but nothing compares to the numerous breakfast options at home, from an egg and whole-wheat toast to a whole-grain breakfast parfait with fruit and yogurt. Short on time? Pack it the night before and take it along with you.
![Boiled egg in cup with wheat toast](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091010142615im_/http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/getty_rm_photo_of_boiled_egg.jpg)
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Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on August 01, 2008
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
(1) Getty Images
(2) Photo courtesy of
McDonald's
(3) Photo courtesy of
McDonald's
(4) Photo courtesy of Burger
King
(5) Photo courtesy of Burger
King
(6) Photo courtesy of
Jack in the Box Inc.
(7) Photo courtesy of
Jack in the Box Inc.
(8) Photos courtesy of Carl’s
Jr.
(9) Photos courtesy of
Dunkin' Donuts
(10) Photos courtesy of
Dunkin' Donuts
(11) Photo courtesy of
Starbucks
(12) Photo courtesy of
Starbucks
(13) ©2008 WebMD
(14) ©2008 WebMD
(15) Rubberball / Getty Images
(16) Michael Rosenfeld / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images
REFERENCES:
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature: “Best and Worst Fast-Food
Breakfasts.”
Calorie-count.com.
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information:
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
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