Eating a healthy breakfast can be tricky, even when you have time to chop veggies, poach eggs, and brew some fresh coffee. When you’re busy, though, healthy choices can go out the window faster than you can say “pop tart.”
But a healthy breakfast can give you the energy, stamina, and focus you need for the day ahead. Starting your day on an empty stomach means you’ll run out of fuel quickly, and both your work and relationships can suffer. Essentially, a nutritious breakfast can significantly improve the rest of your day.
If you want to consistently start your mornings on a healthy note, consider these simple yet effective strategies to enjoy a healthy breakfast, even when you’re short on time…
If you prepare your breakfast the night before (or even a few days ahead), mornings will be a breeze. Look for easy overnight oatmeal recipes, egg dishes and scrambles, veggie-packed breakfast burritos, chia pudding, or even non-traditional options like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and stir-fry.
You can also prepare multiple batches of smoothie ingredients and freeze them in individual containers. Just pour the ingredients and liquid into a blender and — voila! — instant, delicious breakfast.
Keep several breakfast meals in the fridge or freezer, and you’ll be all set when morning comes.
For those times when eating at home or at a desk isn’t possible, make sure you have healthier options to take with you. Check the nutrition panel on granola bars to find ones high in fiber and protein and low in sugar.
Put together a big bin of trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits and veggies for snacks and breakfast. Look for squeezable yogurt packs at the grocery store. If all else fails, bananas, apples, oranges, and pears are convenient options on the go.
If you often grab a muffin with your morning coffee, do some research before you bite into that giant cinnamon muffin. Check the calorie counts on menus or websites to make sure you’re choosing satisfying and healthy options (spoiler: donuts, muffins, and scones usually don’t make the cut). Many restaurants and coffee shops now offer healthier choices that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free to meet consumer demands.
Above all, eat real food. You’ll stay fuller longer and have more energy.
If you constantly run out of almond butter, almonds, oatmeal, granola, dried fruit, or nuts, consider buying in bulk. You’ll have plenty of good options on hand when hunger strikes, and you’ll save money and time by making bigger batches of your favorite breakfast foods and snacks.
If you have kids who can cook simple meals or colleagues interested in healthier eating, take turns providing healthy breakfasts. When you’re only responsible for a day or two each week, you can focus on making fantastic healthy breakfasts for a group. The other days? Just enjoy.
Meal delivery services can bring healthy, delicious, pre-made food right to you. With more options now available, they’re more affordable than ever and can cater to your diet, allergies, and preferences.
Freshly is a great choice. It offers a variety of healthy, pre-made breakfast foods, and many meal delivery services let you try them out for a limited time to see if they suit your lifestyle.
Just five minutes can be enough to prepare something nutritious. In that short time, you can make oatmeal, cook eggs, blend a fruity smoothie, or wash some berries and add them to Greek yogurt. Knowing how much you can accomplish in a few minutes can motivate you to get out of bed.
Some people think skipping breakfast will help them lose weight or that they don’t need to eat until lunchtime. However, eating breakfast is linked to healthy habits, productive work, and feeling good. You don’t need an hour to prepare a big meal — plan ahead, get some help, use your freezer, and enjoy starting your day right.