Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day -- it boosts your metabolism for the day and can help with weight control, cognitive function and nutrient intake, says Heidi Skolnik, a contributing editor to Men's Health magazine.
When you're on the run, grabbing something quick at the drive-through window can be pretty tempting. But Skolnik warns that those fast-food choices pack a wallop in fat and calories, and don't offer much nutritional value.
Here's what you're getting when you eat some of those popular fast-food choices:
Arby's Sausage Biscuit
390 calories, 25 grams of fat
Equal to: 4½ Hostess chocolate cupcakes
McDonald's Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle
560 calories, 32 grams of fat
Equal to: McDonald's hamburger, small fries and Caesar salad
Dunkin' Donuts Sausage, Egg and Cheese Croissant Sandwich
650 calories, 45 grams of fat
Equal to: Six glazed Dunkin' Donuts
Burger King's Enormous Omelet Sandwich
760 calories, 50 grams of fat
Equal to: Four slices of Domino's cheese pizza
Subway's Vegetable and Egg Wrap
155 calories, 12 grams of fat
Leaves you room for an orange juice on the side, for extra nutrients.
ABC News contacted these fast-food restaurants about their high-calorie breakfasts. Their response was that they offer healthy alternatives to their high-calorie fare and that consumers must make a choice about what to eat.
Skolnik offered tips on how to cut calories and fat in your breakfast food choices:
Choose an English muffin over a croissant, which is filled with butter.
Cut the fillings. Don't choose egg, cheese and meat -- pick just two.
If you want meat, choose leaner Canadian bacon over sausage.
