How Many Calories Are in a McDonald’s Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle?

The Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle from McDonald’s is a popular breakfast sandwich. But is this griddle cake sandwich a sensible meal, or a calorie bomb you should avoid? Let’s break down the nutrition facts and see how many calories are in a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle.

An Overview of the McDonald’s McGriddle

The McGriddle sandwich line was introduced by McDonald’s in 2003. The griddle cakes have a maple syrup flavor baked right into them.

The Bacon, Egg, and Cheese variety stacks an egg, two slices of bacon, and American cheese between two maple infused griddle cakes.

This 420 calorie breakfast sandwich provides a sweet maple taste. It’s a consistent menu item along with the Sausage and Egg McGriddles.

But is this amount of calories reasonable or should you opt for something lighter?

Total Calories in a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle

A Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle with no customizations contains 420 calories.

This is the total calories from all the ingredients stacked between the griddle cakes:

• Egg – 72 calories
• American Cheese Slice – 49 calories
• Bacon Slice (2) – 90 calories
• Griddle Cakes (2) – 200 calories

So about half the 420 calories comes just from the two maple griddle cakes alone at 200 calories each

The two slices of bacon also contribute a significant 90 calories The egg and cheese come in lower at about 70 calories each,

Calories Compared to Other McDonald’s Breakfasts

How do the 420 calories in a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle compare to other McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches?

• Egg McMuffin® – 300 calories
• Sausage McMuffin® – 370 calories
• Sausage McMuffin® with Egg – 450 calories
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit – 460 calories

So the McGriddle is lower in calories than the other McDonald’s bacon and egg biscuit. But it’s much higher in calories compared to the Egg McMuffin without meat.

For sandwiches without bacon or sausage, there are additional lower calorie McDonald’s breakfast options like:

• Egg White Delight McMuffin® – 250 calories
• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal – 290 calories
• Cinnamon Melts – 270 calories

So if you’re looking for a more sensible breakfast sandwich under 300 calories, try the Egg McMuffin or Egg White Delight instead of the McGriddle.

Effect of Customizations on McGriddle Calories

What if you customize your Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle order? How do add-ons impact the calories?

• Hash Browns – Add 150 calories
• Large Coffee – Add 100 calories
• Sausage instead of Bacon – Add 20 calories
• No Cheese – Subtract 50 calories
• No Egg – Subtract 70 calories

Hash browns and a large coffee add a significant amount. Swapping bacon for sausage only changes calories slightly.

Removing ingredients like the cheese or egg can lower calories some. But the griddle cakes still contain 400 calories alone as the base.

McGriddle Nutrition Facts Breakdown

Beyond just calories, let’s examine the full nutrition facts breakdown of a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle:

• Total Fat – 21g – 32% Daily Value
• Saturated Fat – 8g – 40% DV
• Trans Fat – 1.5g
• Cholesterol – 185mg – 62% DV
• Sodium – 820mg – 35% DV
• Total Carbohydrates – 41g – 14% DV
• Dietary Fiber – 1g – 4% DV
• Sugar – 9g
• Protein – 13g

So the McGriddle is high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium compared to dietary recommendations. But it does provide a good amount of protein.

The trans fats and refined carbs from the white flour griddle cakes are also unhealthy aspects.

Overall, the McGriddle nutrition profile is quite high in calories and several unhealthy markers.

Is 420 Calories for Breakfast Reasonable?

Whether 420 calories is reasonable for breakfast depends on your daily calorie needs and activity level.

The 420 calories in a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle make up about 21% of a 2,000 daily calorie diet.

However, guidelines recommend limiting a single meal to 600 calories at most. So the McGriddle alone doesn’t exceed that cap.

For a more active individual with higher calorie needs, 420 for breakfast may be fine. But for a sedentary person trying to lose weight, it could be too high.

A better target for breakfast might be in the 300 to 400 calorie range at most, where you could fit the McGriddle occasionally but not every day.

Healthier Low Calorie McDonald’s Breakfast Options

If the 420 calories and high sodium and fat make the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle an unhealthy regular breakfast choice, what are some lower calorie McDonald’s alternatives to consider instead?

Here are some much lighter McDonalds breakfast options under 300 calories:

• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal – 290 calories
• Egg White Delight McMuffin – 250 calories
• Cinnamon Melts – 270 calories
• Hash Browns – 150 calories
• Sausage Burrito – 290 calories
• Sausage Biscuit – 460 calories
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (no bacon) – 370 calories

The oatmeal, Egg White Delight, melts, and hash browns make smart choices. Downsizing biscuits and burritos can also trim calories.

You can also customize a more sensible meal like an Egg McMuffin with no cheese and fruit slices on the side.

Should You Avoid McGriddles Altogether?

The Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle is very high in calories, fat, carbs, and sodium compared to nutrition standards. But an occasional indulgence in moderation may be fine.

Having a 420 calorie McGriddle for a special weekend treat or splitting it with someone is harmless for most. Just don’t make it an everyday habit.

Choosing lower calorie McDonald’s breakfast options like oatmeal or egg sandwiches will be healthier for daily needs.

Overall, be mindful of calories, ingredients, and your personal diet. Enjoy all foods in balance. A McGriddle here and there won’t ruin your diet if you maintain awareness and self-control around your meal choices.

A standard McDonald’s Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle contains 420 calories. This amount is reasonable as an occasional indulgence, but quite high in calories and unhealthy ingredients for a daily breakfast.

To keep your McDonald’s breakfasts more nutritious, opt for lower calorie options under 300 calories like oatmeal, Egg White Delights, yogurts, or customizing sandwiches to remove bacon and cheese.

Being aware of nutrition facts is key. An informed customer can occasionally enjoy fast food treats like the tasty McGriddle while maintaining a balanced diet through mindful choices. Moderation and variety is key for health.

So be sure to check calories and nutrition data to fit McDonald’s reasonably into your eating patterns. While high in calories, an occasional Bacon, Egg, and Cheese can be part of a healthy lifestyle when kept in check. Keep your breakfasts in balance.