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McDonald's slogan is "I'm Lovin' It," and it's not hard to see why. The fast food chain has become a go-to place for delicious and affordable food. But, health experts aren't giving Mickey D's the same praises for its breakfast menu, especially when it comes to their egg sandwiches. It turns out that certain McDonald's eggs are made with an alarming mix of preservatives and additives. We're definitely not "lovin' that!"
[Photos: Shutterstock]
The folded eggs and scrambled eggs are the only Mickey D's eggs that contain preservatives and additives as they're made using a liquid egg mixture, according to CNBC. These ingredients are needed to preserve the chain's eggs' desired bright yellow color, delicious taste and fluffy texture.
One preservative you can find in these eggs is potassium sorbate, which inhibits the growth of molds and yeasts, according to Forbes. This is also used in many personal care products as a replacement for parabens, a controversial preservative that's been linked to a wide range of health problems. There's also a considerable amount of citric acid used to make Mickey D's eggs, which is used to preserve the eggs' shelf life. Though this preservative has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, studies show that excessive citric acid consumption has been linked to the erosion of tooth enamel!
[Photo: McDonald's]
You can also find carrageenan in your folded egg sandwich, too! This common food additive is used as a thickener and emulsifier for processed foods, including McDonald's eggs. Research shows that carrageenan can cause inflammation in the body, which Dr. Joanne K. Tobacman, MD, says is a "root cause" for a slew of serious diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and cancer.
[Photos: Instagram]
As mentioned before, these ingredients are only used to make McDonald's folded and scrambled eggs. So if you're in the mood to have an egg sandwich from Mickey D's, health experts recommend ordering the chain's Egg McMuffin. It's made with a freshly-cracked egg, Canadian bacon and American cheese, and makes for a protein-packed breakfast!
"An Egg McMuffin is not the worst thing you can have. It's much better than no breakfast, a doughnut, or a fatty, empty-calorie Dunkin' Donuts coffee drink," says registered dietitian Lisa D. Harkins. To save yourself some calories and sodium, you can opt to have the sandwich without the Canadian bacon and cheese!
Or, you can make your own breakfast sandwich at home with fresh eggs and a multigrain English muffin. Not only does this eliminate eating any unhealthy preservatives and additives, but it also allows you to incorporate healthy ingredients to your breakfast creation, like avocados, salmon and low-fat cheese!
Do you have any healthy fast food tips that you swear by? Let us know in the comments below!
