Quick Answer
A McDonald’s plain biscuit contains 150 calories.
Calories in McDonald’s Biscuits
McDonald’s serves several types of biscuits on its breakfast menu. Here are the calorie counts for each:
Biscuit | Calories |
---|---|
Plain Biscuit | 150 |
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | 450 |
Sausage Biscuit | 400 |
Sausage Biscuit with Egg | 470 |
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (with sausage gravy) | 570 |
As you can see, the plain biscuit is the lowest calorie option at just 150 calories. Adding sausage, bacon, egg, cheese, and gravy significantly increases the calorie count.
Nutrition Facts for a McDonald’s Plain Biscuit
Here are the full nutrition facts for a McDonald’s plain biscuit according to the McDonald’s website:
Nutrition Facts | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 150 |
Total Fat | 5g |
Saturated Fat | 2g |
Trans Fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 320mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 20g |
Dietary Fiber | 1g |
Sugars | 3g |
Protein | 5g |
As you can see, the majority of calories in a plain McDonald’s biscuit come from carbohydrates. The biscuit also provides 5g of protein and 1g of fiber. It is low in sugar, with just 3g per biscuit.
Plain Biscuit Ingredients
According to the McDonald’s website, the ingredients in a plain McDonald’s biscuit are:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Soybean oil
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Cultured wheat flour
- Soy lecithin
- Baking soda
- Natural flavor (plant source)
- Monocalcium phosphate
The main ingredients are flour, water, oils, and yeast – which are typical ingredients for a basic biscuit. There are no eggs, dairy, meat, or fruit in a plain McDonald’s biscuit.
How Biscuit Calories Compare to Other McDonald’s Menu Items
At 150 calories, a plain McDonald’s biscuit is relatively low in calories compared to other items on the McDonald’s menu:
Menu Item | Calories |
---|---|
Egg McMuffin | 300 |
Sausage McMuffin | 370 |
Sausage McMuffin with Egg | 450 |
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | 450 |
Big Mac | 540 |
6-piece Chicken McNuggets | 280 |
Small French Fries | 230 |
As you can see, the plain biscuit has the lowest calorie count compared to sandwiches, burgers, nuggets, and fries. The only comparable lower calorie options are side items like the 3-piece Chicken McNuggets at 150 calories and the Ketchup packet at 15 calories.
So if you are looking for a light McDonald’s breakfast, the plain biscuit is a good option at only 150 calories. Adding meat, cheese, and other toppings will significantly increase the caloric content.
How to Enjoy Your McDonald’s Biscuit While Watching Calories
Here are some tips for enjoying a McDonald’s biscuit as part of a healthy, lower calorie breakfast:
Stick to the plain biscuit
As you can see from the nutrition information above, the plain biscuit has the lowest calorie count. Avoid biscuit sandwiches with bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese to cut back on calories, fat, and sodium.
Watch your portions
While the plain biscuit is just 150 calories, eating multiple biscuits can quickly add up. Stick to just one biscuit to control your portion size.
Pair with fruit or yogurt
Enjoy your biscuit alongside fresh fruit like apple slices or a yogurt cup for a nutritious, balanced breakfast. The fiber from fruit and protein from yogurt will help keep you fuller for longer.
Say no to sugary spreads
It’s common to spread jelly, honey, or butter on biscuits, but these all add extra sugar and calories. Enjoy your plain McDonald’s biscuit as-is or consider lower calorie spreads like mashed avocado.
Drink water or unsweetened coffee or tea
Avoid drinking sugary sodas or juices with your biscuit, as these can negate the lower calorie advantage of the plain biscuit. Opt for water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea instead.
Watch out for sneaky sodium
While relatively low in calories, a McDonald’s biscuit does contain 320mg of sodium, which is 14% of the daily recommended limit. Be mindful of getting too much sodium from other menu items.
Balance out the rest of your day’s meals
Don’t treat the biscuit as a free pass to eat higher calorie foods later on. Make healthy choices at lunch and dinner to meet your daily calorie goal.
Healthier Homemade Biscuit Alternatives
If you love biscuits but want to control calories and ingredients, here are some healthier homemade alternatives you can make at home:
Oatmeal Biscuits
Swapping all-purpose flour for rolled oats gives you a heartier, fiber-filled biscuit. Add berries for even more fiber and antioxidants.
Whole Wheat Biscuits
Substitute whole wheat flour for some or all of the all-purpose flour. The whole grains will give you more nutrients.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Making your biscuits with lower-fat buttermilk allows you to cut back on butter and cream. You still get great flavor.
Yogurt Biscuits
Greek or regular yogurt adds moisture for fluffier biscuits and cuts back on some of the butter or shortening.
Egg White Biscuits
Lighten up your biscuits by replacing the egg yolk with whipped egg whites. They’ll puff up tall in the oven.
Herb and Garlic Biscuits
Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, and chives to your biscuit dough for extra flavor without the calories.
So you can definitely still enjoy fluffy, delicious biscuits while cutting calories by baking them at home with simple ingredient swaps.
Nutrition Tips for a Lower Calorie Breakfast
A McDonald’s biscuit can be part of a healthy lower calorie breakfast. Here are some additional tips for keeping your breakfast nutrition on track:
Include lean protein
Pair your biscuit with protein sources like eggs, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, nuts or seeds. The protein keeps you feeling fuller longer.
Eat plenty of fruits and veggies
Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies to get your produce. Their fiber also aids digestion and helps control blood sugar.
Choose whole grains
When possible, opt for whole grain breads, cereals, and grains like oats which offer more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Watch your portions
Keep portions of starchy carbs and proteins reasonable to avoid overeating at breakfast. Use a small plate or bowl.
Drink fluids
Sip water, coffee, or tea to stay hydrated. Limit sugary juices as these make it easy to consume excess calories and sugar.
Limit saturated fats
Butter, bacon, and fatty meats are common breakfast foods, but the saturated fat can raise cholesterol levels.
Get moving
A little activity like a brisk morning walk can get your metabolism going and make it easier to balance out breakfast calories.
Conclusion
A McDonald’s plain biscuit contains 150 calories, making it one of the lower calorie options on the McDonald’s breakfast menu. Sticking to just one biscuit and pairing it with fruit, yogurt, eggs, or other nutritious foods can help you enjoy it as part of a healthy lower calorie breakfast. Be mindful of portions, added spreads and toppings, and accompanying sugary beverages to get the most nutrition for your calories. With some adjustments, a McDonald’s biscuit can definitely fit into an overall balanced diet.