A Sausage and Egg McMuffin consist of a sausage patty, a fried egg, a processed American cheese slice and liquid margarine served on an English muffin. The total calorie count for the sandwich is 450 calories, with 250 from fat. Nutrient information for a Sausage and Egg McMuffin is given based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet.
Fat
A Sausage and Egg McMuffin contains 27 g of fat, or 42 percent of the daily value (DV). Saturated fat accounts for 10 g. Less than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fat. Since 1 gram of fat contains 9 calories, a Sausage and Egg McMuffin has approximately half of your daily saturated fat allowance. A Sausage and Egg McMuffin has 0 g of trans fat, but the law allows food containing .5 g of trans fat or less to claim 0 g. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils contain trans fat. Since the egg is cooked using such oils and the liquid margarine also contains them, a Sausage and Egg McMuffin does have small amounts of trans fat.
Cholesterol
A Sausage and Egg McMuffin contains a whopping 285 mg of cholesterol or 95 percent of the DV. Most of it -- 240 mg -- is contained in the egg, specifically the yolk. The sausage patty supplies 30 mg and the cheese supplies 15 mg. By not eating meat or eggs the rest of the day, you can eat a Sausage and Egg McMuffin and not go over your daily allowance for cholesterol.
Sodium
A Sausage and Egg McMuffin contains 920 mg of sodium or 38 percent of the DV. Over one-third -- 340 mg -- is in the sausage patty. Eating processed meat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and high sodium content is one reason. The next highest contributor to the sodium content of a Sausage and Egg McMuffin is the English muffin at 260 mg, followed by the cheese at 230 mg.
Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals
The 2 g of fiber -- 8 percent of the DV -- in a Sausage and Egg McMuffin comes from the English muffin. A Sausage and Egg McMuffin does contain some vitamins and minerals, including 300 mg or 30 percent of the DV for calcium. Most of that is in the muffin and cheese. The iron content is 3.5 mg or 20 percent of the DV, with most of it in the muffin and egg. The sandwich also supplies 600 IU or 10 percent of the DV for vitamin A, with most due to the egg and cheese.
Conclusion
Obviously, a veggie omelet made with egg whites or a bowl of oatmeal with fruit is a healthier breakfast choice than a Sausage and Egg McMuffin, but sometimes you just can't resist the craving. Limit yourself to the occasional one, especially if you have weight or cholesterol issues and adjust the rest of your diet that day to allow for your "splurge."
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