Breakfast, often touted as the most important meal, sets the tone for your day ahead. But when dining out, it’s easy to fall into the trap of ordering dishes that seem tempting on the menu but end up disappointing in reality. Some breakfast items simply don’t translate well from a home kitchen to a restaurant setting, leaving you with a lackluster start to your morning and a dent in your wallet.
While it’s enticing to indulge in elaborate breakfast creations when dining out, it’s good to be mindful of both your wallet and your taste buds. Certain dishes are often overpriced, underwhelming, or simply not worth the calories. We’ve listed some breakfast items that we think you might want to reconsider ordering at a restaurant.
From pricey avocado toast to lackluster pancakes, we’ll reveal the breakfast dishes that are best left out of your order.
1. Avocado Toast
While avocado toast has become a trendy brunch staple, it’s often overpriced and underwhelming at restaurants. The simple combination of mashed avocado on toast can easily be replicated at home for a fraction of the cost, allowing you to use ripe, flavorful avocados and your favorite bread.
Plus, you can customize it to your liking with additional toppings like poached eggs, smoked salmon, or a sprinkle of chili flakes. Save your money and enjoy a delicious and satisfying avocado toast in the comfort of your own kitchen.
2. French Toast
French toast can be a decadent treat, but it’s sometimes drenched in syrup and butter at restaurants, making it a calorie bomb that leaves you feeling sluggish. Plus, it’s relatively easy to make at home, where you can control the amount of sweetness and richness.
For a healthier and more fulfilling breakfast, consider ordering a fruit salad or a bowl of oatmeal with a side of protein. These options provide essential nutrients and fiber to keep you energized throughout the morning without the sugar crash.
3. Breakfast Potatoes
Breakfast potatoes are a popular side dish, but they are often greasy and lackluster at restaurants. They are typically deep-fried or cooked in excessive oil, resulting in a heavy and unsatisfying side that can leave you feeling bloated.
Instead, opt for a side of fresh fruit or a lighter option like grilled tomatoes or sauteed spinach. These choices offer a refreshing contrast to your main course and provide essential vitamins and minerals without the excess fat and calories.
4. Waffles
Waffles, while delicious, are often served with sugary toppings and whipped cream at restaurants, making them a less-than-ideal breakfast choice. They can also be quite filling, leaving you feeling sluggish for the rest of the day.
Consider ordering a protein-rich option like Eggs Benedict or a smoked salmon bagel. These dishes will keep you feeling satisfied and energized without the sugar crash that often follows a waffle feast.
5. Granola
Granola may seem like a healthy breakfast option, but it’s often loaded with sugar and calories, especially when served in generous restaurant portions. It can be easy to overindulge, negating any potential health benefits.
Opt for a bowl of plain yogurt with fresh fruit and nuts instead. This provides a balance of protein, healthy fats, and natural sweetness, ensuring a nutritious and satisfying start to your day without excessive added sugar.
6. Muffins
Muffins, while tempting, are essentially cupcakes disguised as breakfast food. They are packed with sugar and refined flour, offering little nutritional value and often leading to a quick energy spike followed by a crash.
Choose a whole-grain toast with avocado or a side of scrambled eggs instead. These options provide essential nutrients and fiber, keeping you feeling full and energized without the sugar rollercoaster.
7. Fruit Smoothies
Fruit smoothies may seem like a healthy choice, but they can be surprisingly high in sugar and calories, especially when ordered from a restaurant. They often contain added sweeteners and sugary fruit juices, negating their nutritional benefits.
Instead, opt for a freshly squeezed juice or a cup of herbal tea. These beverages are low in calories and offer a refreshing start to your day without the added sugar and potential for overconsumption.
8. Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast sandwiches are a convenient option, but they are often loaded with processed meats, cheese, and greasy eggs. They can be high in sodium and saturated fat, contributing to health concerns in the long run.
Choose a lighter and healthier option like an egg white omelet or a vegetarian breakfast burrito. These dishes offer a balance of protein and vegetables, ensuring a nutritious and satisfying meal without unhealthy additives.
9. Hash Browns
Hash browns, while a classic breakfast side, are often deep-fried and greasy at restaurants. They offer little nutritional value and can leave you feeling lethargic and heavy.
Consider a side of fresh fruit or a lighter option like grilled tomatoes or sauteed spinach. These choices provide a refreshing contrast to your main course and offer essential vitamins and minerals without the excess fat and calories.
10. Coffee Cake
Coffee cake may seem like a harmless breakfast companion, but it’s essentially a dessert masquerading as a breakfast item. It’s loaded with sugar and butter, offering little nutritional value and a potential sugar rush.
Choose a healthier option like a bowl of oatmeal with fruit and nuts or a Greek yogurt parfait. These choices provide essential nutrients and fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied without the empty calories.
11. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are undeniably delicious, but they are packed with sugar and calories, especially when served in large restaurant portions. They can lead to a sugar crash and leave you feeling hungry again shortly after.
Opt for a lighter and healthier option like a fruit salad or a bowl of oatmeal. These choices offer a refreshing start to your day and provide essential nutrients and fiber to keep you going.
12. Breakfast Pizza
Breakfast pizza, while a creative concept, often combines greasy meats, cheese, and eggs on a heavy crust. It’s a calorie-laden option that can leave you feeling sluggish and bloated, hindering your productivity for the day ahead.
Opt for a lighter and healthier pizza alternative, like a whole-wheat crust with vegetables and a sprinkle of cheese. This allows you to enjoy the flavors of pizza without sacrificing your health goals or feeling weighed down.
13. Fried Chicken and Waffles
The popular Southern dish of fried chicken and waffles is a heavy and indulgent breakfast option. The combination of fried chicken and sugary waffles can be overwhelming and lead to a mid-morning energy slump.
Choose a lighter and healthier option like a grilled chicken omelette with a side of fruit or a whole-grain waffle with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. This allows you to enjoy a satisfying breakfast without the guilt or the crash.
14. Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce
Eggs Benedict, while a classic brunch dish, can be a calorie and fat bomb due to the rich Hollandaise sauce. The combination of poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and English muffins can be quite filling, leaving you feeling heavy and lethargic.
Opt for a lighter version of Eggs Benedict with a poached egg, smoked salmon, and avocado on whole-grain toast. This offers a similar flavor profile with fewer calories and fat, ensuring a satisfying and energizing meal.
15. Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos can be a convenient option, but they are often oversized and packed with calorie-dense ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and greasy meats. They can leave you feeling stuffed and sleepy, thwarting your productivity for the day ahead.
Opt for a smaller breakfast burrito with lean protein, vegetables, and whole-grain tortillas. This provides a balanced and satisfying meal without the excess calories and fat, ensuring you feel energized and ready to tackle your day.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
