Now that we're nearing the close of August, we just can't kid ourselves any longer. Summer's about to come to a close, and parents must welcome back the crazy weekday, pre-school rush act. Those early AMs when it feels next to impossible to get a healthy meal on the table for ourselves and the kids in a quick, easy way.
But there's really no reason to dread the hunt for the perfectly fast and nutritious breakfast. Here, a few ideas to help you start your day off on the right bite ...
- Oatmeal - Instant or not, throwing some old-fashioned oats in a bowl with equal parts water and popping it in the microwave is a perfect, filling antidote to a chilly fall morning.
- Frozen whole-grain waffles - Kids of all ages (including my fiance) dig these for a toasty and fast breakfast.
- Banana smeared with peanut (or almond) butter - This is my go-to when there's not a lot of time in the morning. Also tastes super-yummy on toast!
- Muffin tops - Frozen "muffin tops" like VitaTops, which you can warm up in the microwave or toaster, are a quick way to get a lot of fiber and protein in fast without spending lots of time baking.
- Make-ahead frittata - Consider baking up a few of these on a Sunday night, then freezing them. Then, you can heat one up quickly in the morning and poof! -- gourmet b-fast!
- Greek yogurt with fruit and/or high-fiber cereal - Instead of combining cereal with milk, try mixing it into high protein yogurt to keep blood sugar stable longer.
- Quickie morning quesadilla - Mix sharp cheddar with apple slices in a whole grain tortilla for a savory-sweet fix.
More from The Stir: 5 Ways to Get a Delicious Dinner on the Table in 30 Minutes or Less
What's your favorite go-to quick, healthy, easy breakfast?
Image via orchidgalore/Flickr
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Comments 37
Great ideas!
*sigh* Sadly, a lot of these suggestions are not actually very healthy at all. They SEEM healthy, but they aren't really. Good effort, but I think you could use a little more knowledge about nutrition before dispelling such advice. For example:
1. Oatmeal - most instant oatmeals are loaded with artifical sugars & preservatives. NOT healthy. You really need organic steel cut oats with natural sugars like honey or maple syrup - not high fructose corn syrup.
2. Frozen waffles - just b/c something is "whole grain" doesn't make it healthy. Waffles are pure carbs = energy crash in 2 hours. They are also made from processed wheat and contain phytic acid which is hard for people to digest. Also, many contain preservatives. Now, if you wanted to buy organic SPROUTED wheat flour (sprouting reduces phytic acid) and pre make and freeze your own waffles at home, THAT would be moderately healthy. (still have the carb issue, but some all natural peanut butter spread on top would contribute protein)
TBC
3. Banana with peanut butter - actually good, as long as the peanut butter is all natural (i.e. NOT from Jiffy!) and doesn't contain crap in it.
4. Muffin tops = see waffles above
5. Frittata - your best suggestion yet! Tons of protein and if you throw in veggies super healthy! Just be sure to use organic free range eggs. They DO pack more nutrition than conventional eggs. That is a fact (see: Google)
6. Yup, Greek Yogurt is pretty good. Another great idea is Traders Point Creamery yogurt. It's all natural, organic, and from grass fed cows, no hormones, tons of nutrition. The ones with mango are sweet but not cloyingly so. Yoplait crap is all sugar/preservatives! Yogurt IS healthy when you get the RIGHT kinds fo yogurt.
7. Yes although SPROUTED quesadillas and ORGANIC (preferably raw) cheese (preferably from grass fed cows) is the way to do it.
In conclusion: the above CAN be healthy IF you use healthy ingrediants.
I'll have to do the banana, pb one.
My dd really just likes pb toast and cereal.
i like this one
Quickie morning quesadilla - Mix sharp cheddar with apple slices in a whole grain tortilla for a savory-sweet fix.
To some this is healthier than the bowl of fruity pebbles they give kids. Let us critique everything though.
Seriously, @saphronscribble . . . you really had to analyze the nutrition of every single item on this list?? Of course some of these items could be unhealthy depending on how they are prepared. For crying out loud, a salad can have 2,000 calories if you put a lot of crap on it. But these items are much better than some of the crap that some people eat (if they eat breakfast at all). No one is perfect and we do the best we can do. These ideas are a great idea for quick meals on the go.
Bagels and cream cheese are a big one here.