December 2, 2011 07:45 by Groupie
I know you have heard that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' and partially because I have many posts revolving around it, but also because it’s true! Breakfast wakes your body up by jump starting your metabolism, which is essential for losing or maintaining weight. Yet not all breakfast choices are smart ones, and can send you packing on those pounds. Here are 6 fast food breakfast items that Fitbie found you should stay away from, and alternatives supported by Prevention magazine that you can make in the comfort of your own home.
#1 Starbucks Zucchini-Walnut Muffin
It has vegetables and nuts both of which can be very healthy items, but not in this instance. Muffins usually are very high in calories, and not incredibly satisfying. This breakfast item contains 500 calories and 28 grams of fat yikes!
If it’s muffins you want then try a zucchini-raisin muffin. The most effective way to make this muffin is to load it with zucchini shreds and add a pinch of raisins to give it a naturally sweet taste. This muffin contains half of the calories and a third of the fat when compared to the java mogul’s muffins.
#2 Sonics’ Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Toaster
Sure a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich can be filling, but I would avoid this breakfast time meal unless you like feeling like a grease bomb exploded in your stomach. This sandwich contains 620 calories, 42 grams of fat, and an astonishing 1400 milligrams of sodium. This sandwich is comparable to polishing off a large bag of potato chips, all before you have finished your morning coffee.
Try a broiled egg, tomato, and spinach sandwich. It is obvious in the name that this is a much healthier counterpart to the drive thru breakfast. This sandwich has one third of the calories, one quarter of the fat, and over 1,000 milligrams less sodium. It will be just as filling and in my opinion, taste much better!
#3 McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hot Cakes
If you read the news at all on current health topics, it’s no surprise that McDonald’s is on the list. Although the brand is trying to make changes to incorporate healthy food choices, it always seems to be a repeat offender on the list of unhealthy food options. The name says it all with “big” in the title, and it sure does not disappoint in that regard. This can account for more than half of your daily calories, has 55 grams of fat, and an unbelievable 2150 milligrams of sodium. Anyone else think this should be banned from human consumption?
If it is flapjacks you are craving try some with berries and a touch of cinnamon. This recipe from Prevention magazine is low cal and guilt free.
#4 Cinnabon Regular Caramel Pecanbon
Just the scents of this well known brand can make your salivary glands go into overdrive, but read on and you won’t have any problem avoiding this calorie catastrophe. The Caramel Pecanbon has a much fat as mowing down nine chocolate chip cookies, and contains 1100 calories PER bon.
Try this homemade recipe that tastes just as good with one third of the calories and a quarter of the fat.
#5 Hardee’s Double Loaded Omelet Biscuit
This breakfast sandwich contains bacon, sausage, and ham on two butter loaded biscuits. It clocks in at around 800 calories, 58 grams of fat and 1980 milligrams of sodium. That’s almost as much sodium as the entire Big Breakfast!
Instead, try an egg sandwich with reduced-fat cheddar. Cut out the meat and swap it for slices of avocado and tomato. This new and improved breakfast sandwich is less than 400 calories and has significantly less fat than the artery clogging sandwich.
#6 Dunkin’ Donuts Chocolate-Coconut Cake Donut
Obviously donuts are not diet friendly food, and this Dunkin’ Donuts variety is no different. This donut has almost as much sugar as a chocolate bar, and has over a quarter of a day’s calories.
Try this strawberry banana topped French toast recipe from Prevention that will leave you feeling full, and has half of the calories of just one of these donuts.
I love a good breakfast, but not the calories that often go along with it. Do you have any healthy breakfast recipes that taste great and still satisfy your appetite? I’d love to add some more recipes to my cookbook.
Related Posts:
The Skinny on Breakfast Cereals
Recipe: Breakfast Cookies
Smart Choices at Fast Food Restaurants
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