Muffins have a bad reputation of being very high in calories, fat and sugar. It’s true that many store-bought muffins carry a hefty amount of calories — typically around 400 or more each. But you can easily fit them into a healthy eating plan.
Are English muffins fattening?
Fats – There are almost no fats in English muffins, either. The fat content increases when toppings such as butter and cream cheese are used. Protein – English muffins are a fairly good source of protein, with around 5 grams per muffin. The protein in English muffins is designed to keep you full and build muscle.
Are muffins good for You?
However, thanks to some misleading marketing many people believe muffins (especially those filled with fruit or bran) are healthy snacks. The simple truth is … sweet baked goods and desserts just aren’t good for you despite what many food companies might say.
Do muffins have too much sugar?
Sugar isn't the only reason why store-bought muffins should be an occasional treat and not a daily staple. As Harvard researchers point out, regular commercial muffins can also contain as much as 367 mg of sodium.
How many calories are in a muffin?
5 Healthy Muffins (Yes, It's Possible!) Muffins have a bad reputation of being very high in calories, fat and sugar. While many store bought muffins carry a hefty amount of calories- typically around 400 or more each, you can easily fit them into a healthy eating plan. ©2012, Television Food NEtwork, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Does muffins make you gain weight?
Muffins can be high in calories The ones you pick up at the grocery store are generally high in fat, sugar, refined wheat and starches, and sodium, too. You probably already know that excess sugar and calories can cause you to gain weight, as your body typically stores the extra calories as fat.
Is muffins good for weight loss?
A high-fiber, low-fat option with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium, whole wheat English muffins make a great weight loss breakfast food.
Can I eat muffins everyday?
Eating a daily muffin can harm your heart health Sugar isn't the only reason why store-bought muffins should be an occasional treat and not a daily staple. As Harvard researchers point out, regular commercial muffins can also contain as much as 367 mg of sodium.
Why are muffins unhealthy for breakfast?
"They can be packed with added sugar and low in fiber, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster before you even get to work," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT. Yet, muffins can be a healthy breakfast option if you make them at home yourself.
What should you eat for breakfast when trying to lose weight?
14 Healthy Breakfast Foods That Help You Lose WeightEggs. Rich in protein and a wealth of important vitamins and minerals, such as selenium and riboflavin, eggs are a true powerhouse of nutrition (1). ... Wheat Germ. ... Bananas. ... Yogurt. ... Smoothies. ... Berries. ... Grapefruits. ... Coffee.More items...•
Is a blueberry muffin unhealthy?
The average coffee shop blueberry muffin is hardly what you'd call a health food: It's got almost 470 calories—nearly double what you'd get from a chocolate frosted donut—and most of those calories come from refined carbohydrates, primarily white flour and sugar.
Is a muffin a healthy breakfast?
Are muffins healthy for breakfast? Muffins can be part of a healthy breakfast, provided they are low in sugar and high in whole grains, protein, and fiber. These muffins tick the boxes, as they cover all of that. They are also lower in calories than traditional fruit filled muffins.
Are muffins better than bread?
Are English muffins better for you than bread? English muffins are slightly better for you than bread because they have fewer calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar. However, both have a fairly high carb content that can provide energy throughout the day. They also contain a decent amount of nutrients.
Why are muffins so high in calories?
Muffins. Muffins are a popular breakfast item usually made from refined flour, vegetable oils, eggs, and sugar. Muffins sold at bakeries, coffee shops, and grocery stores are also often very large, which makes them higher in added sugar and calories than most people would think.
Are muffins healthier than cupcakes?
Cupcake recipes generally contain a much higher percentage of sugar and fat. This makes cupcakes sweeter, moister with finer crumbs. To compensate, muffins usually have fruits, nuts, and other ingredients mixed into the batter. You can see that because of this, muffins are usually considered healthier than cupcakes.
What are the worst foods for breakfast?
The 5 Worst Breakfast Foods for YouDoughnut and pastries. Doughnuts will cost you 250 to 550 calories, but the 15 to 30 grams of sugar in each is the real problem. ... Sausage biscuit. The sausage biscuit is basically a saturated fat and sodium bomb. ... Flavored non-dairy creamer. ... Bright, sugary cereals. ... Loaded bagel.
What is the most unhealthy meal?
The 15 Most Unhealthy Meals at U.S. Chain RestaurantsChili's Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs.Johnny Rockets' Smokehouse Double.Applebee's Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders.IHOP's Country-Fried Steak and Eggs with Sausage Gravy.Uno Chicago Grill's Deep Dish Macaroni and Three Cheese.More items...•
Otis Spunkmeyer Wild Blueberry Muffins
Despite their fresher appearance Otis Spunkmeyer Muffins Wild Blueberry are yet another muffin I’d try to avoid … if for no other reason than this—they’re declared shelf life is 1 year (frozen) and 21 days when thawed. Real food spoils, fake food doesn’t. This is fake food.
Panera Blueberry Muffins
Panera recently made a big splash about cleaning up their ingredients which I do applaud. While they’re working hard to remove many additives from their food their blueberry muffin as currently formulated provides a good example of what the future of their products will look like.
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Vegan and Gluten-Free Orange Muffins
These muffins are gluten-free and vegan, plus sweetened with orange juice and a little bit of coconut sugar. Plus each muffin is under 200 calories, leaving you with enough breakfast calories to pair it with some eggs or sausage for protein.
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
By adding in zucchini, you're getting some greens and bumping up the fiber, antioxidants, and nutrition of your muffins. For toppings, try a few mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts—the nuts will be healthier and offer good fats to boost satiety while providing extra protein.
Low-Fat Blueberry Bran Muffins
These muffins are lower in fat and offer natural sweetness, along with fiber and antioxidants, to boost brainpower, from the high blueberry content. They are also lower in sugar thanks to the unsweetened applesauce.
Healthy Sweet Potato Muffins
Sweet potato has fiber and antioxidants, like beta-carotene, to fill your belly and benefit your skin and heart health. Plus you can mix in toasted nuts or flaxseed for more fats and protein!
Healthy Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
Pumpkin is right in season and it's rich in fiber and beta-carotene, too, so it's a great way to have a sweet but not too sweet muffin that'll actually provide good nutrition. This recipe is whole grain, easy to prepare, low-fat, and super delicious!
Eating a daily muffin can harm your heart health
Sugar isn't the only reason why store-bought muffins should be an occasional treat and not a daily staple. As Harvard researchers point out, regular commercial muffins can also contain as much as 367 mg of sodium.
Overindulging in muffins can raise your risk of diabetes
As The New York Times notes, the nutritional profile of muffins from commercial bakeries aren't all that different from that of a generous helping of birthday cake. To prove the point, the publication points out that a honey bran raisin muffin from Dunkin' Donuts has 40 grams of sugar.
Here's the healthy way to eat a muffin every day
But enjoying muffins every day doesn't have to be a nutritionally challenging exercise.
Are English Muffins Healthy?
English muffins often replace other unhealthy breakfast baked goods like bread, bagels, and donuts. But does that mean they’re a healthy option? The simple answer is yes, English muffins are fairly healthy, but not the healthiest option out there.
Nutrition Facts of English Muffins
A traditional English muffin will have around 132 calories and have no unhealthy trans fats or saturated fats. It is also low on sugar, making the English muffin a low-calorie and safe option for a healthy breakfast.
Types of English Muffins
However, not all English muffins are the same. When you’re strolling through the bread aisle, you will come across a wide variety of English muffin flavors and styles. How do these stand up in terms of health? Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Healthiest Type of English Muffin?
While a traditional English muffin won’t ruin your diet (unless you are on a low carb or keto diet, you need to find a low carb option), there is still one standout English muffin type that ranks above the others – the whole-wheat English muffin.
English Muffins VS. Other Breakfast Foods
Now, we know that English muffins are a great option for breakfast. But how do they stand up against the competition? Why should you consider an English muffin over other options, such as a bagel or a breakfast burrito?
FAQs
Want to learn more about English muffins? Here are a few commonly asked questions to help get you started.
Final Thoughts
English muffins aren’t the healthiest choice for breakfast, but they are a healthier option than other breakfast goods such as white bread, donuts, and cereal. Just make sure you go for the whole wheat option and top with healthy ingredients such as eggs, avocado, or hummus.
English Muffin Nutrition Facts
Nowadays, English muffins are available in a variety of flavors. Some are made with whole grains or multigrain flour. Others contain raisins, cinnamon, seeds and nuts. Therefore, the calories and carbs in English muffin recipes depend on the ingredients used.
Keep Your Gut Healthy
Whole-wheat English muffins boast more than 4 grams of fiber per serving. They are also rich in thiamin, niacin, calcium, iron, phosphorus and selenium. A single piece provides over 59 percent of the daily recommended intake of manganese.
Reach Your Target Weight
English muffins don't directly cause weight loss but can make this process easier. Whole-grain varieties are high in fiber, which fills you up quickly and curbs hunger. As WebMD notes, fiber-rich foods can make you feel full faster and keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Other Potential Health Benefits
English muffins aren't necessarily the healthiest foods out there. They do, however, contain quite a lot of fiber, minerals and B-complex vitamins. Just make sure you choose whole-grain varieties with little or no sugar. Consider cooking them at home to have full control over the ingredients used.
Types
English muffins come in many different varieties, including plain, sourdough, cinnamon raisin, granola, mixed-grain, whole-wheat and light versions. English muffins made with refined white flour do not count as a whole-grain and feature just 2 grams of fiber per serving.
Whole Wheat
An English muffin made with 100 percent whole grains, such as whole wheat flour, provides healthy fiber and nutrients. The USDA recommends you consume at least three, 1-ounce servings of whole grains daily -- a whole-wheat English muffin provides two of these servings.
Healthy Uses
Opt for whole wheat or whole grain English muffins as often as possible. You can top one with peanut or almond butter and sliced banana for a healthy breakfast or snack. Top a split English muffin with low-sodium tomato sauce and part-skim mozzarella for a healthy pizza.
