Restaurant Reviews From A Nutritionist Point Of View
Certified Nutritionist: Jennifer Mauldin
Series: Eating Healthy On The Go!
Restaurant name: Golden Corral
Breakfast Buffet (All you can eat)
Chain: Yes
Avg Meal Cost: $15.00 (USD)
Rating: 3 Stars
On a very rare occasion I have found an overwhelming craving for an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. As a nutritionist, it is important for me to analyze the food options available at a restaurant from a health perspective. One such restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet is Golden Corral. I don't believe every location offers a breakfast buffet every day, so check with your local restaurant before heading out. While they have a vast selection of food, I must say that I was disappointed by the limited lean protein options.
Golden Corral offers a wide range of breakfast items, such as eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, and various bread options. However, it is important to note that many of these options are high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. The restaurant does offer some healthier options, such as fresh fruits, oatmeal, yogurt, and a variety of vegetables.
One of the biggest concerns with the Golden Corral breakfast buffet is the limited options for healthy protein sources. While whole eggs are a good source of protein, they are also high in cholesterol, which can be a concern for some people. The other protein options include bacon and sausage, which are high in saturated fat and sodium. The restaurant does offer ham as well, but it is often processed and contains high levels of sodium. They only had verities of pork as meat options.
In terms of healthier options, the Golden Corral breakfast buffet does offer some good choices. The fresh fruit options are excellent, and they offer a variety of choices, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. Oatmeal is another great choice, as it is high in fiber and can help keep you full throughout the day. The yogurt options are also a great source of protein, and they so offer a non-fat option, which is preferred.
Unfortunately, the unhealthy choices at the Golden Corral breakfast buffet are plentiful. The pancake and waffle options are often high in calories and contain added sugars. You can request sugar-free syrup, though you will not find any peanut butter or bananas. (Sorry, Elvis.) The various bread options, such as biscuits and croissants, are also high in calories and contain a lot of refined carbohydrates. We do want to remember that carbs are not the enemy and the right carb at the right time is acceptable. Additionally, they have a full dessert table which just felt wrong.
Overall, I would not recommend the Golden Corral breakfast buffet as a healthy option for those looking for a nutritious meal. While they do offer some healthy choices, such as fresh fruit and oatmeal, the limited healthy protein options and the abundance of unhealthy choices, such as breads and gravies, make it difficult to create a healthy and balanced meal.
If you do choose to eat at Golden Corral, I recommend focusing on the healthier options, such as fresh fruit, yogurt, and oatmeal, and limiting your intake of the unhealthy options, such as bacon, cheese and gravies. Also, I recommend this meal before hitting the gym, hard.
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