Best Bets for Fast-Food Breakfasts
You know those time-crunched mornings when you're starving, and an Egg McMuffin seems like the only fast-enough solution? But you also know it's a 300-calorie, 12-grams-of-fat diet detour? Well, turns out there actually are fast-food ways to start the day that won't wreck your waistline.
Check out these choices that'll tame your appetite (with extra protein), curb afternoon cravings (with a hit of fiber), and even help you concentrate (that protein-fiber combo supplies the brain with a steady stream of energy).
McDonald's
Mickey D's offers a couple of options with enough fiber and protein to fill you up and keep you going:
- Fruit 'n' Yogurt Parfait with Granola
160 calories, 2 grams fat (1 gram saturated), 5 milligrams cholesterol, 85 milligrams sodium, 31grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 21 grams sugar, 4 grams protein - Snack Size Fruit and Walnut Salad
210 calories, 8 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated), 5 milligrams cholesterol, 60 milligrams sodium, 31 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 25 grams sugar, 4 grams protein
Starbucks
You'll find two good, high-flavor choices here:
- Spinach, Roasted Tomato, Feta, and Egg Wrap -- it's a little high in fat but compensates with lots of fiber and protein.
240 calories, 10 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated), 140 milligrams cholesterol, 730 milligrams sodium, 29 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar, 13 grams protein - Skinny Latte and a package of SB's dried fruit and nut mix. The latte's made with nonfat milk and a shot of sugar-free syrup. (Try the caramel or hazelnut. Yum!)
Latte (12-ounce "tall"): 90 calories, 0 grams fat (0 grams saturated), 5 milligrams cholesterol, 125 milligrams sodium, 14 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber,12 grams sugar, 0 grams protein - Fruit/nut packet
150 calories, 9 grams fat (1 gram saturated), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 100 milligrams sodium, 17 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 12 grams sugar, 4 grams protein
Jamba Juice
Two groups of smoothies will be your wake-up call as long as you add a soy-protein booster. For just 30 more calories, you'll get an extra 7 grams of tummy-taming, brain-fueling protein.
- Any 16-ounce "Jamba Light" smoothie -- choose from berry, mango, or strawberry.
150–160 calories, 0–0.5 grams fat (0 grams saturated), 5 milligrams cholesterol, 210–220 milligrams sodium, 30–34 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 23–30 grams sugar, 6 grams protein - Any 16-ounce "All Fruit" smoothie -- choose from mango, pomegranate, strawberry, or peach.
200–220 calories, 0–0.5 grams fat (0 grams saturated), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 5–20 milligrams sodium, 50–57 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber, 40–50 grams sugar, 1–2 grams protein
Dunkin' Donuts
Make this your last resort, but if it's really your only choice, go for:
- Egg and Cheese English Muffin Sandwich
280 calories, 9 grams fat (4.5 grams saturated), 140 milligrams cholesterol, 1010 milligrams sodium (yikes -- that's why it's your last resort), 34 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 3 grams sugar, 15 grams protein
Burger King
Keep on driving! BK is behind on banning risky trans fats, and we recommend avoiding it until the place smartens up.
Is breakfast really worth the bother? You bet. Not only does eating it help keep you slimmer and smarter, but skipping it can make your RealAge as much as 3 years older as well. So it's definitely worth knowing your best A.M. road-food options.
Get quick, healthy breakfast ideas you can prepare at home.
