It’s a multi-adversary war. McDonald’s breakfast lineup includes the McGriddles, the McSkillet, the McMuffin, and, of course, your average breakfast biscuit or a platter (of sorts) of different common breakfast items. It can be hard to sort out what’s what, and, more importantly, what you’re actually getting nutritionally when choosing any type of meal prefixed with “Mc.” So who wins the battle for the crown of healthiest?
Eat this: Egg McMuffin
Not that: Sausage, Egg and Cheese McGriddle
Calories and Fat: The Egg McMuffin has 300 calories and 12g of fat. The Sausage, Egg and Cheese McGriddle has 560 calories and 32g of fat.
Difference: The 160 calorie difference between the two breakfast items doesn’t tell the whole story. The 22g of fat does speak to somewhat to the differences – though not too distant in calorie count or portion size, the Egg McMuffin is simply made of healthier ingredients. For starters, the “bread” portion of the McMuffin is a toasted English muffin, as opposed to the McGriddles’ small pancakes, which accounts for the main sugar and carbohydrate difference. The McMuffin has 3g of sugar and 30g of carbohydrates. The McGriddle has 15g of sugar and 48g of carbs. The McGriddle also has much more sodium and saturated fat, whereas the McMuffin has a healthy spot of protein (18g) from the eggs.
It would probably also be a good idea to avoid anything at McDonald’s involving a big stack of pancakes, as well. The Egg McMuffin’s the best bet for a McDonald’s breakfast run.
