Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Eat Right, Even When There's No Time

You hear it all the time: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why? You just spend eight hours with no food or water. You’re dehydrated, your blood sugar is low and you have little energy. And now it’s time to get the kids ready, then hurry off to work. More so than any other point in the day, you need nourishment. Right now.

Besides, eating breakfast actually helps you lose weight. Those who skip the meal tend to snack before lunch and throughout the day, usually on unhealthy, high-calorie foods. Breakfast eaters typically cruise until lunch, while bursting full with energy.

So what are some healthy and quick ideas? Here are some of my favorites:

• Prepare a casserole the night before. Pop it in the microwave when you wake up and it will be ready to go when you are.
• Incorporate complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat toast and bagels. Spread peanut butter and raisins on top of either for added flavor.
• Bake bran muffins early in the week, then grab one or two each morning. Or check out a local bakery for healthy varieties.
• Make waffles Sunday morning and freeze the leftovers. You can pop ‘em in the toaster for a homemade breakfast. Also, grocery stores sell frozen whole grain selections.
• Have you ever tried a tortilla for breakfast? Wrap up cold turkey and cheese, grab an apple and you’re on your way.
• Don’t forget cold cereal. We’re not talking about those covered with sugar, but the healthy variety. Items such as Wheaties, Kashi, Fiber One and Cheerios.
• Do you love eggs, but have high cholesterol or worry about their saturated fat? Cut out a lot of the “bad” stuff, while still getting a dose of protein, by only using the egg white, or egg substitute.
• Make a shake or a smoothie. Blend fruit and yogurt and then drink it in the car. A side option is a small bag of finger foods, such as a mixture of granola and grapes.
• Keep pancake or waffle batter in the refrigerator, ready to pour on the griddle.
• Pizza for breakfast? English muffin pizzas sprinkled with cheese and microwaved are a hit.
• Don't Forget the Oatmeal - Making your own oatmeal is much healthier than the flavored instant packets. Cook up according to instructions and add a little fruit for extra flavor.
• Fantastic Fruit Salad - Serve a chopped fruit salad with a yogurt dip.
• Spruce up your Toast - Try whole wheat bread and serve with peanut butter and sliced bananas, low-fat cream cheese and raisins (sprinkle a little cinnamon on top), or LF cream cheese and a fruit jam (pure, no-sugar added jam is best).

These are just a few ideas so you, and your loved ones can get that morning fuel, without spending a lot of time.