Fast Food Breakfast Combos for Less Than $5 and 600 Calories

Fast Food Breakfast Combos for Less Than $5 and 600 Calories Image via Pexels Taco Bell I could write an entire article on Taco Bell, so keep your eyes peeled for a lunch edition. It is widely known that Taco Bell has many vegetarian options, and a majority of them are on the $1 value menu! A Grilled Breakfast Burrito ($1, 340 cal) is a good start to any day, and with a choice between bacon, sausage, or plain potato, there is something for all taste buds and lifestyles. If you’re watching calories extra closely, swap out nacho cheese for pico de gallo (.25 extra,   5 cals.) Another good option is a $1 Breakfast Soft Taco, scaling in at only 230 cals, so grab a few, some, for now, some for later! If we are in an extra treat yo’self mood, add a sweet boost to your morning with Cinnabon Delights 2-pack   (160 cals) with a hot cup of coffee trust me, youll thank me later! After some internet sleuthing, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Taco Bell coffee has its own fanbase, and ranked #6 on best fast food coffees. From my experience, their coffee does not taste like its collected dust in a carafe for a week, which is a huge win considering Ive paid two times the price for a cup of stagnant freshly brewed joe from big chain coffee giants. No matter what combination of items you choose your total will still be under $5, so mix and match and don’t forget your choice of sauce (I have a ton in my center console if you forgot to ask for a few more). Image via Pexels Dunkin Donuts This is also another sweet spot of mine (literally) because it hasnt been that long since DD expanded to our West Coast, and now I dont have to choose between awesome coffee, breakfast, and donuts- I love a one-stop drive-thru. For this article, there is one breakfast item that is an all-around winner: the $2.39 Wake-Up Wrap (meat-optional but at no extra cost). With no meat, the wrap comes out to 180 cals, and 20% sodium (skip cheese if youre watching that salt percentage). For  a protein, boost add your choice of meat (maple sugar bacon, bacon, ham, sausage, or turkey sausage) and youll still be just under 300 cals. Ask for their vinegary packaged hot sauce and extra napkins and youll arrive at that early morning class with a happy tummy and stain-free clothes. Now for my favorite part of this breakfast order: ICED COFFEE, YALL. Watch out for promotions, such as any medium iced coffee for $1.50 *stadium thunder applause* which graciously includes cream and sugar (or syrup); substitute cow milk for almond milk for just .25 extra (a steal!). My usual order is an original blend with french vanilla and almond milk. DD Original Blend hot coffee also made the list of top fast food coffees, so try a small black (or not, do you) coffee to stay on budget. wrap + medium iced coffee ($2.79) + tax =$ 4.93 McDonalds McDonalds made the cut because I will sit in a drive-thru line just for a hot coffee. Side note: Gaviña Gourmet Coffee supplies West Coast McDonalds with their famous roast. Does Don Francisco or Cafe La Llave espresso ring a bell? Yep, those are also Gaviña Coffee, too. So I have to do it for my Cuban culture and include a cup of McDonalds coffee. But it doesnt stop there. While youre at it, pick up a $2 McGriddle (430 cals) and $1 greek yogurt parfait (150 cals). No matter what size you get a cup of hot coffee will cost you less than $2 and you get youre still on a  budget, so ball out! Now Im far from a nutritionist, but you do what you can with the time you make and the bills in your pocket. I hope these suggestions help out my early risers and my broke college mates alike. Enjoy!