Lots Of Fat First Thing In The Morning Group Finds Popular Breakfasts Full Of Calories, Cholesterol

The most popular breakfast at family-style restaurants has more fat and calories than two McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, a consumer group said Wednesday.

A restaurant association dismissed the report as misleading, “the dumbest” of a series of headline-grabbing studies by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The center’s latest survey found two days’ supply of cholesterol, 49 fat grams and more than 1,100 calories in specials such as “Denny’s Original Grand Slam Breakfast” of two eggs, two sausages, two strips of bacon and two pancakes.

The government’s recommendation for an adult’s daily fat intake is 65 grams.

“The Grand Slam-type breakfast is a strikeout,” said Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist for the consumer-advocacy group.

For its newest study, the group dissected 12 popular breakfast entrees and side dishes bought at 17 locations in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Washington. Restaurant chains included Denny’s, International House of Pancakes, Bob’s Big Boy, Shoney’s, Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel.

Hurley said family-style restaurants encourage people to eat higher-fat breakfasts by making them cheaper: The Grand Slam goes for $1.99 compared with more than $4 for healthier, cereal-based breakfasts.

“We found many breakfasts that give you an entire day’s worth of fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol - all before 10 o’clock in the morning,” Hurley told a news conference.

To make restaurant meals healthier, Hurley suggested asking for egg substitutes, skipping the butter or margarine and substituting fresh fruit for sausage or bacon.