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It's no secret that McDonald's has a pretty amazing breakfast menu -- I mean, it was so good that they made it available all day long, right?! But, not everything on their menu is good for you, especially when it comes to their egg sandwiches. If you look closely at their ingredients list, you'll notice that some of their eggs contain a slew of preservatives and additives, which health experts say aren't good for you OR your waistline...
[Photos: Shutterstock]
If you love McDonald's egg sandwiches that are made with folded eggs, we've got bad news for you... CNBC says that these are the eggs that are made with preservatives and additives! According to Forbes, you can find potassium sorbate in them, which is also used in a variety of personal care products. And, these eggs are made with cottonseed oil, which is roughly 94% saturated fat when fully hydrogenated.
[Photos: McDonald's]
In addition to potassium sorbate, you can also find carrageenan in the folded eggs. This is a common food additive that is used as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of processed foods. Studies show that carrageenan has been linked to causing inflammation in the body, and Dr. Joanne K. Tobacman, MD, says that it can even "cause of many serious diseases including heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and cancer."
Yikes! We did a little digging and found that all of McDonald's folded egg sandwiches are actually really high in calories and sodium, so parting ways with them would actually be a really good move! Like, did you know that the chain's Steak, Egg & Cheese Biscuit has 530 calories and 1490 milligrams of sodium?! That's way too much!
If you're in a pinch for time--or just really craving a breakfast sandwich from Mickey D's--Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND, recommends opting for the Egg McMuffin. Unlike the Steak, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, this sandwich uses a freshly-cracked egg and won't wreck your diet. "I typically get an Egg McMuffin and a coffee. The sandwich only has 300 calories and it offers 17 grams of satiety-providing protein. Instead of the egg white version, I stick with the whole egg sandwich because the yolk contains carotenoids, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals," she says.
Were you surprised by how unhealthy McDonald's folded egg sandwiches are? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
