Bad Meal of the Day - McDonald’s Breakfast

May 13, 2008 · 17 comments

[I am writing this while stuck in O'Hare Airport in Chicago- my flight that was originally scheduled to leave at 8:00 is now delayed until 10:30. The joys of flying!]

I’m still no expert at proper eating while traveling and today started in typical bad fashion - breakfast at McDonald’s. The Golden Arches happen to lay between my hotel and work and as I was checking out I already knew I was going to find myself eating there. Rather than talking myself out of it I justified it by telling myself I am no longer eating two breakfast sandwiches like I used to, and that a simple #2 would be all I would need, and really that isn’t that bad, if I recall it’s maybe 600 calories.

The problem, however, is that I noticed from the ads in the restaurant that they had introduced a new breakfast sandwich, the Chicken Biscuit. I am a sucker for trying new things but need to have the comfort of known things - which means that instead of replacing my Sausage McMuffin with the Chicken Biscuit I ended up going with both.

So that’s how I ended up eating two sandwiches (and a hashbrown) even though I was totally ready to just have one. And the thing is the new sandwich didn’t taste all that good either (it really could have used some country gravy for dipping).

As I was walking into McDonald’s this morning I knew I was going to be writing this about that meal but then it got even worse.

That just goes to show how important it is to stay out of there in the first place.

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{ 17 comments }

Andrew is getting fit May 13, 2008 at 10:26 pm: If you are going to have a bad meal then having it at breakfast is probably the best thing.
Metroknow - AlmostFit.com May 13, 2008 at 10:34 pm: Oh man can I identify with this…Although I think places like McDonalds can be managed diet-wise, in theory, for me at least the HAVE to be off limits. I am too susceptible to Proustian memories of childhood breakfasts…

Ha - one other funny thing, being that Andrew has commented - when I was in NZ, I tried a sausage McMuffin on an early morning walk with my then 8-month old son in Napier. WOW was I shocked (and not pleased) with the difference (as I recall it had ketchup on it, or something similarly sweet). The sad part? I ate it anyway. Happily, despite not liking the difference…Ah, sweet addiction….
TB-Milwaukee May 13, 2008 at 11:58 pm: I cannot do breakfast out anymore. I’d go for an apple or piece of toast before running for the arches for breakfast. Other times of the day are different though
Cynthia May 14, 2008 at 12:42 am: Yeah, McD’s is too addictive. I always seem to order the worst stuff too, even when I know the salads aren’t bad tasting and much less damaging.

The good bit is, the last time I indulged, I found it not as tasty as it used to be. So I’ve not really felt like going back. OTOH, I’ll be on the road myself this weekend… it gets harder to avoid fast food when that’s what is easily convenient on the road. Hoping I can keep the damage minimal.
MizFit May 14, 2008 at 5:11 am: and it’s all so INDIVIDUAL.

I can do McD’s no problem.

get grilled chicken, toss the buns, eat on a side salad.

DO NOT PUT ME NEAR A WENDYS.

I lose all control and shriek: fried chicken!!! french fries!! at the top o’ my lungs.

it’s embarrassing for all involved.
Single May 14, 2008 at 5:43 pm: McDonald’s is giving away free chicken biscuits thursday morning and free chicken sandwichs thursday afternoon.
john - from fat to fit May 14, 2008 at 7:41 pm: @single - don’t tell me that! Getting something for free is another problem for me. I’ll be staying away…
Cammy May 14, 2008 at 8:18 pm: I can’t for the life of me figure out why I don’t have this problem. If I knew how I flipped the internal switch that (after many, many years) declared certain foods off-limits, I would package and give it to, John.

One of the helpful things I did at the beginning of this whole thing was to develop “contingency” plans. If I’m at McDonald’s, I can order X or Y. If I’m at Taco Bell, Z is the only thing I can order and I have to tell them to prepare it *this* way. “Rules” if you will of what I will have and what I won’t. So now if I know I’m stopping at McD’s I know I’m having yogurt or apples. Same with Wendy’s. Taco Bell is a taco salad without shell, beans or sour cream and light on the cheese (not a problem at my local TB). I’m not sure something like this would work for you, but it’s my only offering other than a light punch on the arm and a, “Buck up, little soldier. It will be okay.”
Nancy May 15, 2008 at 6:43 am: Well, just remember how crappy it tasted and don’t ever order it again! That should help you stay away from McD’s again! I agree with Andrew.. At least it was in the am, and not at night!
Dona May 15, 2008 at 10:34 am: John John John – you’ve GOT to learn to stay away from those fast food places. They seem to be major triggers for you. Rent, buy or read Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Size_Me maybe it will help you keep your car zipping right on past the golden arches!
Steve v4.6 May 15, 2008 at 10:53 am: I’m packing a Zone bar or two in my laptop bag and treating every excursion away from home/office as a trip into the nutritional wasteland- pack it in or forage at your own peril.
Pokey May 15, 2008 at 12:28 pm: I am a sucker for McD’s Egg McMuffins…but I can proudly say I havent had one in FOREVER! You know, a breakfast jack from Jack and the Box is not a bad alternative if youre craving a fast food breakfast sandwich….it only has 6 WW points, which isnt to shabby since it has egg and cheese.
Komodo Dragon May 29, 2008 at 3:28 am: How did the breakfast chicken taste? Was it good?

I usually don’t like breakfast at McDonalds. The last time, I had a bagel sausage egg sandwich there, it tasted just like a product that i bought from a box at a store, so I was very disappointed

It was OK but it needed some white country gravy.
komodo dragon June 6, 2008 at 11:19 pm: oh man, you fell into the mcdonalds trap :0 uh oh.
Terri Lynn June 17, 2008 at 11:00 am: Ah, but beware even with salads at fast food places. The lettuce is low in points, but add the dressing and the mix-ins-like chinese noodles and sliced almonds, for example on the Wendy’s mandarin salad-and you’re in for a whopping 500 calories, or more! Best advice-stay away!
Nina December 11, 2008 at 11:24 pm: lol at all the people who think they are being heathly by eating salads at mcdonalds. The mcdonalds salads are just as unhealthy as mcdonalds burgers lol
agghtea! September 16, 2009 at 6:38 am: There is the paradox, in the third paragraph you say “I am a sucker for trying new things but need to have the comfort of known things”.
It’s a true point that you need to keep in mind. I *managed* the shift from Mac’s to a local coffee shop for breakfast (I walked past both on the way to work). They did fresh BLT and Avarcardo sandwiches with a coffee (first step right there - the sandwhich was 3 rashers of bacon, oh there was the option of white, wholemeal or rye) … natch white to start…. over the next couple of weeks I went Rye… then to BT Avarcardo…. finally to Avarcardo on toast by it’s self (and on Fridays I have the bacon….).

Small steps, and build up!