McDonald’s has been working to expand their menu to offer more healthy and diet-friendly options in recent years. One area of focus has been providing alternatives for customers looking to reduce their cholesterol or overall egg intake. This article will explore whether McDonald’s currently offers any egg white-only breakfast sandwich options.
The Benefits of Egg Whites
Egg yolks contain the majority of an egg’s fat and cholesterol content. For example, a large whole egg contains around 185mg of cholesterol and 5g of fat, with about 212mg of cholesterol and 4.5g of fat coming just from the yolk. Egg whites on the other hand are almost pure protein, containing little to no fat or cholesterol. Here is a nutritional comparison of one large whole egg versus just the egg white:
| Nutrition Info | Whole Egg | Egg White |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 72 | 17 |
| Fat | 5g | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 185mg | 0mg |
| Protein | 6g | 4g |
As you can see, egg whites contain no fat or cholesterol and about two-thirds the amount of protein compared to a whole egg. This makes egg whites an appealing option for those monitoring their cholesterol intake or trying to reduce overall fat and calories.
The Availability of Egg Whites at McDonald’s
Currently, McDonald’s regular breakfast menu does not offer any egg white-only sandwich options. All of their breakfast sandwiches that feature eggs use whole eggs by default. This includes sandwiches like the Egg McMuffin, Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit, and Sausage Burrito.
However, McDonald’s does make it possible to customize your breakfast sandwich to substitute egg whites instead of whole eggs. When ordering breakfast sandwiches, you can request to have egg whites only on any sandwich containing eggs. For example, you could order an Egg White McMuffin instead of a regular Egg McMuffin made with whole eggs.
While not advertised on their menus, this “secret menu” customization is well known to their employees and can be requested at any location. By substituting egg whites for whole eggs, you can remove the extra fat and cholesterol content coming from the yolk.
Nutrition Info on McDonald’s Egg White Breakfast Sandwiches
To see the potential impact of substituting egg whites, let’s compare the nutrition info of a standard Egg McMuffin versus an Egg White McMuffin:
| Nutrition Info | Egg McMuffin | Egg White McMuffin |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 300 | 250 |
| Total Fat | 12g | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 260mg | 15mg |
| Protein | 13g | 14g |
Ordering the egg white version removes nearly 200mg of cholesterol and 3g of fat. You get slightly more protein as well. This demonstrates the cholesterol and fat benefits of egg whites.
Other Egg White Breakfast Options at McDonald’s
While the McMuffin is likely the most popular breakfast sandwich choice, customers can sub egg whites in any McDonald’s breakfast sandwich containing eggs:
- Egg White Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
- Egg White Sausage Burrito
- Egg White Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles
The same cholesterol and fat advantages would apply to each of these sandwiches when customized to use all egg whites.
Ordering Tips for Egg White Breakfast Sandwiches
Some tips for ordering an egg white version of a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich:
- Know the standard sandwich name, and request “egg white” added
- Example: “Egg White McMuffin” or “Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit with Egg Whites”
- Check your receipt to ensure your customization was captured
- Request your sandwich be made fresh, since egg whites take a few extra minutes
As long as the restaurant is not overly busy, the employees should accommodate an egg white substitution on any breakfast sandwich. Be polite but firm if the cashier seems hesitant or confused.
Why Aren’t Egg Whites Advertised on the McDonald’s Menu?
Given the clear benefits of egg whites for cholesterol and fat intake, why doesn’t McDonald’s advertise some breakfast sandwiches made with just egg whites? There are a few likely reasons driving this decision:
- Whole eggs have more flavor – McDonald’s prioritizes taste in their menu offerings. Egg whites are a bit more bland tasting than whole eggs.
- Order complexity – Allowing substitutions makes the kitchen process more complex. Advertising egg whites could significantly increase order complexity.
- Most customers prefer whole eggs – Americans in general still heavily favor the taste and nutrition of whole eggs over just egg whites.
By keeping egg white variants off the menu, McDonald’s avoids drawing attention to a less flavorful option that would slow down kitchen workflow. Those who know about the substitution can still easily request egg whites though.
Do Other Fast Food Chains Offer Egg Whites?
McDonald’s is not the only fast food chain to offer egg white breakfast sandwiches by request. Here are some other leading chains that allow customers to substitute egg whites in breakfast sandwiches:
- Starbucks – Any breakfast sandwich can be made with egg whites instead of whole eggs. For example, a Bacon & Egg White Sous Vide Egg Bites.
- Dunkin’ – Egg white sandwich options on the menu include an Egg White Veggie Flatbread and Egg White Bowl.
- Burger King – While not advertised, customers can request an “egg white version” of any breakfast sandwich.
- Subway – Select locations offer egg whites as a breakfast sandwich protein option.
- Wendy’s – Allows egg white substitution upon request for all breakfast sandwiches.
Overall most major fast food chains recognize the demand for egg white breakfast sandwiches, even if they don’t advertise them prominently. With some customization, reduced fat/cholesterol options are available.
Availability of Egg Whites at McDonald’s Outside the US
While requesting egg whites for breakfast is an option at all McDonald’s in the United States, availability can vary internationally. Here are some notes about key countries:
- Canada – Egg white breakfast sandwiches available upon request, same as the US.
- United Kingdom – Customers can ask for egg whites instead of whole eggs on any breakfast item.
- Australia – Egg white breakfast sandwiches are available but not advertised on the menu.
- Spain – Pre-made egg white sandwiches are part of the permanent breakfast menu.
One advantage seen in international McDonald’s is the wider availability of pre-made egg white sandwich options. For example, in Spain an Egg White Chicken McMuffin is a regular menu choice.
The Nutritional Benefits of Egg Whites for Cholesterol and Weight Loss
Let’s recap the key nutritional advantages that egg whites offer for cholesterol management and weight loss:
- Zero fat and cholesterol compared to whole eggs
- High in protein, which promotes fullness and stable energy levels
- Can be substituted in a wide range of dishes without sacrificing satisfaction
- Still offer a similar texture, binding, and nutrition as yolks, just without the fat
- Great option for breakfast, which is linked to better weight loss outcomes
For those monitoring cholesterol, egg whites represent an easy swap that removes dietary cholesterol without requiring avoidance of eggs entirely. And for weight loss, egg whites promote satiety and provide a high protein breakfast option.
Conclusion
While not promoted on its menus, McDonald’s does make it easy to customize any breakfast sandwich to use egg whites instead of whole eggs. This substitutes out the high cholesterol and fat content from the yolks. Requesting egg whites provides a great option for reducing cholesterol intake or creating a lower calorie breakfast sandwich linked to weight management. Given the potential cardiovascular and weight loss benefits, considering an egg white breakfast sandwich at McDonald’s is a healthy choice worth exploring.