Why You Shouldn't Eat The Egg White Breakfast Sandwich From McDonald's

For whatever reason, you're trying to eat healthy and have breakfast at McDonald's. Maybe you're tagging along with someone who is jonesing for a McGriddle, and doesn't want to eat alone, or perhaps you're on the road, starving, and the Golden Arches is your only decent option.

When you see an Egg White Delight McMuffin on McDonald's menu, though, you might start thinking it is possible to meet your health goals while eating at McDonald's. Chock full of protein and clocking in at 260 calories — about the same calorie count as a bowl of steel-cut oats with fresh fruit and chopped nuts you might have prepared for yourself at home — this option seems downright virtuous, with its "freshly grilled egg whites and extra-lean Canadian bacon," as per the McDonald's website. This breakfast has your name on it! 

Stop right there. McDonald's employees have shared some disturbing truths about this ostensibly healthy entree that will make you want to skip breakfast — or at the very least, search under the seats of your car to see if you can find any forgotten protein bars. 

McDonald's employees say the egg white sandwiches are made with lots of butter

Clarified and salted butters are listed on the description of the Egg White Delight McMuffin. McDonald's employees on Reddit say that lots of the artery-clogging golden goo is used when these sandwiches — and all breakfast grill items — are being prepared. "The egg white delight is just as unhealthy, if not more so, than the regular round eggs. The amount of butter (at least in my store) sprayed on the grill must up the calorie and fat count like crazy," said user Onesanx. "I've heard a cook say, 'Shouldn't have come to McDonald's if you're trying to lose weight!' while soaking the inside of the egg white ring with layer upon layer of butter."

It's also worth pointing out this breakfast sandwich 780 milligrams of salt, or a third of your daily recommended value. If you'd like to enjoy an Egg White Delight McMuffin with less butter, you can achieve the same effect at home following a simple recipe from the CopyKat blog. Or, try the chain's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, and skip the sodium and butter all together.