15 Breakfast Hotel Foods you should never eat (but we still do)

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15 Breakfast Hotel Foods you should never eat (but we still do)

When you sit down for a hotel breakfast, you’re often faced with a tempting spread of options. I know we are! However, not all these choices are the best for your health or taste buds. Many of us knowingly eat some items that might not be the freshest or most nutritious, simply because they’re available and included in the stay.

From scrambled eggs made from powdered mixes to pastries that arrived frozen, some common hotel foods might not deliver the quality and health benefits we need to start our day right. In this article, we’ll go through 15 typical hotel breakfast items that you might want to think twice about before piling onto your plate (we’ll still eat them anyway!).

Scrambled Eggs

Hotel scrambled eggs often come from liquid or powdered egg mixes rather than fresh eggs. This not only affects their flavor, making them somewhat bland compared to freshly cracked eggs, but also can involve added preservatives and additives to extend their shelf life.

While they make for a quick and easy breakfast option for hotels, for guests, they lack the nutritional profile and taste of eggs directly from the shell.

Sausages

Those juicy breakfast sausages are tempting but take a moment to consider their content. Hotel sausages generally have high levels of sodium and unhealthy fats.

Furthermore, they often sit in warming trays for hours before serving, which can degrade their quality and even raise concerns about food safety due to the potential growth of bacteria if not kept at proper temperatures.

Bacon

Crispy bacon is a breakfast favorite, but the kind you find in hotels can be overly greasy and loaded with saturated fats. There’s also the issue of how it’s kept warm; improper temperature control can make bacon a breeding ground for bacteria, turning a delicious treat into a health hazard.

Pancakes

A stack of pancakes might look inviting, but hotel versions often come from a pre-mixed batter that includes high amounts of sugars and artificial ingredients. Additionally, these pancakes might be reheated from frozen, which can lead to a disappointing texture and an underwhelming flavor profile.

Waffles

Like pancakes, hotel waffles often suffer from the same issues: high sugar content and preparation from processed mixes. They are rarely made fresh and, when reheated, can lose their delightful crispiness, turning chewy and bland.

Cereal

The rows of cereal dispensers in hotels are typically filled with options that are high in sugar and low in nutrients. Besides, these cereals can become stale quickly if not stored in airtight containers, making them less enjoyable and beneficial for your morning meal.

Pastries

Those flaky pastries are hard to pass up, but they’re often not made on-site. Prepared days in advance or thawed from frozen, they can be high in sugar and trans fats. This not only compromises their taste but also diminishes their nutritional value.

Fruit Yogurts

While they might seem like a healthy option, the fruit yogurts available at hotel buffets often contain significant levels of added sugars and artificial flavors. This diminishes the health benefits typically associated with yogurt, such as probiotics and protein.

Hash Browns

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—hash browns can be a delightful breakfast treat. However, in hotels, they’re generally deep-fried in unhealthy oils and can become soggy if left out for too long on buffet trays.

Omelets

Hotel omelets may not always be made from fresh eggs. Using pre-mixed eggs and fillings loaded with preservatives and sodium, these omelets can be less nutritious and fresh than those you might whip up at home.

Breakfast Burritos

Convenience often trumps quality with hotel breakfast burritos, which are typically pre-made and frozen. Laden with preservatives, these burritos often lack the fresh, wholesome ingredients that make a homemade burrito a tasty and nutritious option.

Bagels

A common fixture at breakfast spreads, hotel bagels are frequently not fresh and are packed with refined carbohydrates. This can lead to a spike in blood sugar, providing a quick burst of energy but little nutritional value and satiety.

Smoothies

Beware of the smoothie! What might seem like a healthy start can actually be full of added sugars and artificial flavors if pre-made and preserved. They often lack the fresh fruits and natural ingredients that make smoothies a nutritious choice.

Muffins

While they appear as a convenient and tasty breakfast option, hotel muffins are usually loaded with sugar and fat. Plus, they might not be fresh, potentially being baked days ahead or thawed from frozen, which can negatively impact both flavor and texture.

Cold Cuts

Sliced meats might be an easy protein pick, but hotel cold cuts are often high in sodium and chemicals like nitrates. Improper storage can also lead to bacterial growth, making them a less safe choice than they appear.