McDONALD'S, BIG BREAKFAST
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
McDonald's Big Breakfast is a hearty, savory platter featuring a fluffy scrambled egg, a savory sausage patty, a golden-brown hash brown, and a fluffy buttermilk biscuit or English muffin. It delivers a satisfying mix of textures—crispy, fluffy, and tender—with a rich, salty, and savory flavor profile. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy meal, providing a significant portion of daily fat and protein in a single serving.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 25% carbs · 61% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its comforting, familiar, and indulgent taste that feels like a classic American diner breakfast. It's a versatile meal that can be customized and is often associated with weekend routines or a hearty start to the day.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The meal is high in saturated fat, sodium, and calories, which can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract this, consider sharing the platter, skipping the biscuit for a lighter option, or pairing it with a side of fruit and a large water to increase fiber and hydration.
Key benefits
- High in protein for satiety and muscle maintenance
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Convenient and widely available for a hot meal
- Offers a complete, balanced meal in one order
- Contains essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins from the egg and sausage
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The McDonald's Big Breakfast was introduced in 1987 and was one of the first all-day breakfast items offered by the chain, though it was later removed and brought back due to operational complexity.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.7 g |
| Energy | 285 kcal |
| Energy | 1192 kj |
| Protein | 10.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.4 g |
| Ash | 2.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.93 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 51.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.7 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 15.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 256 mg |
| Potassium, K | 207 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 549 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.97 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.40 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.23 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.35 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.74 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.17 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.57 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 70.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 234 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.4 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.46 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.0 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.4 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.24 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.19 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 173 mg |
FAQ
How many calories are in a McDonald's Big Breakfast?
A standard Big Breakfast platter contains approximately 1,350 calories, making it a very high-calorie meal.
Is the Big Breakfast a good source of protein?
Yes, it provides about 46 grams of protein, which is a substantial amount for a single meal.
Can I customize my Big Breakfast order?
Yes, you can often request substitutions like swapping the biscuit for a muffin or removing certain items to adjust calories and fat content.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.85 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 0.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.65 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.