McDonald's Breakfast Boost Company Earnings -- Which Menu Items are Healthy?

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Jan 26, 2016 05:21 AM EST

The world's largest fast food chain, McDonald's, has made its breakfast menu available all-day – and raked in higher sales because of it.

McDonald's says that, in the last three months of 2015, the all-day breakfast menu helped boost sales by 5.7 percent in the U.S., reports NBC News. Apparently, making breakfast favorites such as the Egg McMuffin available after breakfast hours was something customers have long desired.

This massive menu change is done under the leadership of CEO Stephen James Easterbrook. It came after McDonald's execs realized that they have failed to keep up with the changing tastes of the general public and the slide in the fast food chain's sales.

Thinking of grabbing a “healthy” breakfast food item at the nearest McDonald's branch? Eat This Not That gives a quick rundown on the best, healthiest breakfast items.

#5 Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait

This light and lively addition to the McDonald's breakfast menu offers 150 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated) , 80mg sodium, 30g carbohydrates and 4grams of protein. Lean and tasty.

“With 4 grams of protein, it’s a good snack,” Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, emphasis on snack, told ETNT.

#4 Sausage Burrito

McDonald's take on the breakfast burrito offers 300 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated), 790mg sodium, 26g carbs and 12g protein.

McDonald's grabs some peppers, onions, eggs, sausage and cheese, and wraps it all in a soft tortilla. This breakfast choice also gives about 15% of the recommended daily calcium intake.

#3 Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

This breakfast meal contains 290 calories, 4g fat (1.5g saturated), 160mg sodium, 58g carbs and 5g of protein, all in one small bowl.

“If you feel that you’re low on energy and McDonald's is your only bet, try getting the fruit and maple oatmeal—just skip the calorie-laden brown sugar, cream, raisins and Craisins,” Jim White, RD, ACSM HFS, owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios, told ETNT.

#2 Egg White Delight McMuffin

A lighter version of the favorite Egg McMuffin, this sandwich gives you 250 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated), 770mg sodium, 30g carbs and 18g of protein.

#1 Egg McMuffin

The favorite! The “whole” version of the Egg White Delight, this powerhouse contains 300 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated), 750mg sodium, 31g carbs and 17g of protein.

“I stick with the whole egg sandwich because the yolk contains carotenoids, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals,” Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND, a Chicago area registered dietitian and nutrition communications consultant, told ETNT.

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