The Shocking Secret About Your Fast-Food Eggs

Your early-morning bacon, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich is made with a real egg. Right?

Eggs assist you stay healthy—and even lose weight! Merely information technology turns out not all eggs are what they're cracked upward to be. When you lot go a breakfast sandwich from a fast food spot, there'south a pretty good chance that "egg" is a blend of eggs and something else.

Panera Staff of life was recently developing its lineup of breakfast sandwiches, and discovered that the FDA didn't exactly define what an "egg" was. The loose definition of one of our favorite kitchen staples meant a eating place could include added flavors, xanthan gum and added color to anything listed with "egg" as an ingredient.

Pro tip: Luckily, you won't run into this fake-egg problem with the cartons you lot'd at the grocery store—just be sure to follow our egg buying guide to get the all-time pick.

What's in Popular Fast Nutrient Eggs

Panera did some enquiry and found that l% of the top 10 fast food restaurants that sell breakfast have an "egg" fabricated of at to the lowest degree five ingredients. To confirm, we did some inquiry of our own! Here'due south a expect at the ingredients in popular fast nutrient breakfasts:

McDonald's:The archetype Egg McMuffin is made with a real egg

Taco Bell:The Breakfast Crunchwrap and Grande Scrambler Burrito, amid others, are fabricated with an egg blend that includes whole eggs likewise as soybean oil, salt, citric acid, pepper, xanthan glue and guar mucilage

Panera Bread: The Salary, Egg & Cheese and most of the chain'due south other breakfasts are made with a real egg

Chick-fil-A:The scrambled egg in the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit is fabricated with whole eggs and water plus salt, natural butter type flavour [medium chain triglycerides, coconut oil, natural flavors], xanthan mucilage, citric acid and annatto

Dunkin' Donuts: The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich uses a blend of egg whites, egg yolks, soybean oil and h2o

Nosotros're not going to stop eating at restaurants like Chick-fil-A—they take a secret menu!—but it does make us love Panera and McDonald'southward even more than than earlier.

Is This Healthy?

Well, it's e'er all-time to build your nutrition around whole, unprocessed foods. You desire to know exactly what yous're eating, even when you lot're on the get. (That's at the heart of clean eating and plans like Whole 30.) It'due south okay to splurge on a breakfast sandwich every now and then, but you can always brand a copycat at home—with a freshly croaky egg!

Our Best Healthy Breakfast Options

Mini Sausage Quiches

These bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent coil dough. Serve the cute muffinettes at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut

Crab-Spinach Egg Casserole

I've developed a strong involvement in cooking over the years. As a matter of fact, I came up with this casserole as a special breakfast for our daughter when she was dwelling house for a visit. —Steve Heaton, Deltona, Florida

Raspberry Peach Puff Pancake

Here's a simple, satisfying care for that'due south perfect when y'all take company for brunch. It's elegant enough that you tin can even serve it for dessert at other meals.—Sense of taste of Dwelling Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits

Because these sweet treats are so easy, I'g virtually embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They're a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves. —Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa

Apple-Sage Sausage Patties

Apple and sausage naturally go together. Add sage, and you've got some standout patties. They're freezer friendly, and then I brand them alee and grab when needed. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

Curry Scramble

I accept eggs every forenoon, and this is a delightful change from the classic scrambled egg meal. I similar to add sliced peppers on superlative if I have them on hand. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

Mini Spinach Frittatas

People can't go enough of these popular-in-your-mouth mini frittatas. They're a cinch to make, freeze well and the recipe easily doubles for a crowd. —Nancy Statkevicus, Tucson, Arizona

Cornflake-Coated Crispy Salary

I've loved my aunt's crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now I've shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a large panful every Christmas morn—and on many other days throughout the year! —Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma

Blueberry Cantaloupe Salad

The simple citrus and poppy seed dressing in this fruit medley really dresses up the refreshing mix of berries and melon. —R. Jean Rand, Edina, Minnesota

Sweet Onion Pie

Loaded with sweet onions, this flossy pie makes a scrumptious addition to the brunch buffet. Past using less butter to cook the onions and substituting lighter ingredients, I cut calories and fat from the tasty dish. —Barbara Reese, Catawissa, Pennsylvania

Tater Basil Scramble

This potato dish is and so pop at our firm, nosotros debate over who gets the leftovers. I abound my own herbs, so I commonly use fresh basil in this recipe, but stale works just as well. We dearest this for dinner with fruit salad and English muffins. Information technology also makes a hearty breakfast for the weekend. —Terri Zobel, Raleigh, North Carolina

Yogurt & Honey Fruit Cups

This tasty combo of fresh fruit and creamy orange-kissed yogurt is guaranteed to disappear fast from your breakfast tabular array. —Taste of Home Exam Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Spinach Feta Strata

This is a fairly new recipe for me, but my family unit loved it the first time I fabricated information technology. A friend shared it with me.—Pat Lane, Pullman, Washington

Sunday Brunch Egg Casserole

My favorite brunch dish got a makeover with egg substitute and lower-fatty cheese. The lightened-up version still tastes delicious, only it won't weigh you down. —Alice Hofmann, Sussex, Wisconsin

Baked Peach Pancake

This dish makes for a dramatic presentation. I usually take it right from the oven to the tabular array, fill information technology with peaches and sour foam and serve it with salary or ham. Whenever I go abode, my mom (the best cook I know) asks me to make this. —Nancy Wilkinson, Princeton, New Bailiwick of jersey

Ham & Gruyere Mini Quiches

When you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I accept also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas

Fresh Fruit Bowl

The glorious colors of the fruit make this a festive salad. Slightly sweet and chilled, it makes a overnice accompaniment to a grilled entree. —Marlon Kirst, Troy, Michigan

Maple Sausage Patties

Maple syrup, sage, thyme and a little liquid smoke give a delightful flavour to these bootleg sausage patties. They're ever a treat, but particularly alongside pancakes or French toast. —Margaret Eid, Huron, Southward Dakota.

Bacon Breakfast Cups

My son joked about adding bacon to cupcakes. I made bacon cups the adjacent morning. The expect on his face up was priceless. — Karen Burkett, Reseda, California

Portobello Mushrooms Florentine

A fun and surprisingly hearty breakfast dish packed with flavor and richness. —Sara Morris, Laguna Beach, California

Garden Frittata

I created this frittata recipe i day to use upwards some fresh xanthous squash, zucchini and tomato. Information technology'due south so easy to brand considering you don't have to fuss with a crust. Give it different twist by trying it with whatever veggies y'all have on hand. —Catherine Michel, St. Peters, Missouri

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

This blueberry pancakes recipe is a favorite in our home. My kids don't even realize how salubrious it is! —Kelly Reinicke, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Canadian Bacon with Apples

When the holidays scroll effectually, I'd rather spend fourth dimension with family and friends than be stuck in the kitchen. I learned how to make Canadian salary like this because it's such an easy-to-gear up recipe. No one can resist Canadian bacon and apples coated with a chocolate-brown saccharide glaze. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

French Toast Sticks

Go on these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them platonic for a breakfast buffet. —Gustation of Home Exam Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Southwest Tortilla Scramble

Here's my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that's really healthy. Become for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can become lost in the scramble. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

Old-World Puff Pancake

My mom told me her mother in law showed her how to brand this dish, which became popular during the Depression, on their "get acquainted" visit in 1927. At that fourth dimension, cooks measured ingredients in pinches, dashes and dibs. Just through the years, accurate amounts were noted. My wife and I go on to savor this dish today, particularly for brunch. —Auton Miller, Piney Flats, Tennessee

Carrot Block Oatmeal

This warm breakfast cereal made in the slow cooker is a swell way to get your veggies in the morning and keep a salubrious diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with footing walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Granola-To-Get Bars

This take hold of & go goodie makes a hearty snack for a long solar day out. Chewy and sweet, these fruity confined that volition take you craving more! —Sally Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Family-Favorite Oatmeal Waffles

These healthful, practiced-tasting waffles are a tried-and-true family favorite—even with our ii children. My hubby and I have a modest herd of beef cattle and some pigs. A hearty breakfast really gets u.s.a. going! —Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa

Goat Cheese & Ham Omelet

As a busy working mom, my breakfast needs to require minimal prep. I often combine the egg mixture beforehand and refrigerate it overnight. Then all I accept to do in the morning is oestrus up my skillet. My favorite part is the goat cheese filling, which gets prissy and creamy from the rut of the omelet. —Lynne Dieterle, Rochester Hills, Michigan

Hard-Boiled Eggs

In the kitchen, information technology'southward of import to start with something uncomplicated, similar how to melt hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Gustation of Domicile Test Kitchen

Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium fifty-fifty further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our business firm we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners' sugar, because the fruit is and then sweet you don't demand syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey

Southwest Breakfast Wraps

I e'er idea eating healthy wouldn't be equally enjoyable as eating whatever I wanted. This recipe proved me wrong; good for you ingredients taste wonderful and are just as mouthwatering without the extra calories. —Nicole Hackley, Culbertson, Montana

Asparagus Frittata

You lot would never judge that egg substitute is used in this fun variation on the classic asparagus frittata. —James Bates, Hermiston, Oregon

Fruit Cup with Citrus Sauce

This fruit salad is so elegant that I serve it in my prettiest crystal bowls. With its dressed-upwardly flavor, it'due south perfect for a special event, but easy enough for every 24-hour interval. —Edna Lee, Greeley, Colorado

Blueberry-Stuffed French Toast

A fruity French toast becomes light and lovely company fare when yous make full it with blueberries and top it with an orangey sweet sauce. —Myrna Koldenhoven, Sanborn, Iowa

Vegetable Scrambled Egg Substitute

These scrambled eggs are packed with a variety of veggies, giving you an instant good for you start to your day. —Marilyn Ipson, Rogers, Arkansas

Cinnamon Apple tree Pancakes

My family loves these light and fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes. And best of all, they're sweet plenty to enjoy even without syrup. —Kim McConnell, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches

Looking for a wonderful way to impress guests? You've got it—and yous demand only v ingredients to brand these tasty apps! —Josephine Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania

Turkey Breakfast Sausage

My hearty sausage patties are loaded with flavor simply accept a fraction of the sodium and fat establish in commercial breakfast sausage links. —Judy Culbertson, Dansville, New York

Garden Veggie Egg Bake

Looking for a healthy day-starter? Children will actually bask eating their veggies when they're broiled into this cheesy, diet-packed egg dish. —JoAnne Wilson, Roselle Park, New Jersey

Overnight Brunch Casserole

I love to cook for company and practise brunch frequently. Different from most egg bakes, this casserole combines scrambled eggs and a cheese sauce that bake up into a rich and creamy dish. —Candace Hesch, Mosinee, Wisconsin

Buttermilk Buckwheat Pancakes

This buckwheat pancake recipe uses buckwheat flour instead of the wheat-based variety. The light and tender buckwheat pancakes offering a nutty flavor and hearty texture. —Taste of Abode Test Kitchen

Ham Potato Puffs

This is a unlike way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It was an instant hit with our teenagers. —Brad Eichelberger, York, Pennsylvania

Breakfast Sausage Bread

Any fourth dimension we take this savory, satisfying bread to a potluck, it goes over very well. Nosotros never bring any home. My husband generally makes this bread and prides himself on the beautiful gilt loaves. -Shirley Caldwell, Northwood, Ohio

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/fast-food-eggs/

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