How to Eat Healthy at The Great American Bagel

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Bagels for breakfast can be a good choice because they're wholesome and can be nutritious. However, some of the toppings can be high in saturated fat and calories. Choose wisely whether you're eating breakfast at The Great American Bagel or another meal, and you can feel both healthy and energetic.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose bagels made with simple ingredients. The Great American Bagel features many choices, including the whole wheat, plain, four grain honey, veggie, or garlic. These bagels only have about 1 gram of fat and around 400 calories each.

2. Avoid those bagels with ingredients you know are not healthy or contain a lot of sugar such as peanut butter, chocolate chip or banana nut. These varieties have more fat at about 5 to 6 grams.

3. Use less cream cheese as a bagel topping or try a low fat version. Two tablespoons can have 100 calories and 10 grams of fat. The low fat version can cut the calories and fat grams by as much as half.

4. Think about other options such as salads. Avoid cream based salad dressing such as ranch. Instead choose oil based or low fat versions of any type. Make sure you ask for your healthy dressing on the side so you can add a minimal amount.

5. Pick from sandwiches at The Great American Bagel that have less fat and use lean meats, such as turkey. Also, choose healthier condiments, such as mustard. A turkey sandwich has about 400 calories and 12 grams of fat. Lose the cheese on the sandwich and save as much as 6 grams of fat and 100 calories.

6. Do not eat the sandwiches that are mixed with mayonnaise such as the egg salad or chicken salad. They can top the charts with over 500 calories and 20 grams of fat. Even a tablespoon of mayonnaise adds 100 calories and 11 grams of fat.

7. Avoid sodas that are high in sugar. Choosing water or tea can save you 150 calories per 12 oz.