Breakfast for Sleepy Teen

One thing that could help is having him eat some good protien BEFORE bed at night. He may be waking up with some really low blood sugar. Having some peanut butter on some wheat crackers will help keep his blood sugar level up overnight. Or you might try having some peanut butter and crackers on his nightstand. Have him set his alarm, wake up, eat the crackers or whatever and snooze for about 20 minutes. That way when he really has to get up,he has some fuel. My daughter suffered from low blood sugar and this really helped her.
As for the out the door breakfast, anything you could make the night before that he could just "nuke" in the morning is a great idea, from some of the other responses. Just watch the carbs though or he'll crash before lunch. Good for you that you are in tune with this! So many kids go out the door without anything in their tummies. Have a great schoolyear!

I sell an on-the-go energy bar that is packed with vitamins, sweetened with agave syrup to avoid sugar crashing and really tasty. Let me know if you want more info.

S.
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Try a protein shake or bar. They're quick and easy. Shaklee has a shake with 24 grams of protein per serving (www.Shaklee.com). I get a discount if you decide to order. Also, an earlier bedtime could help.

Hi S.---Looks like you are getting many good ideas. I wish you luck, studies show that teenagers just don't do so well in the early a.m., even with a good night's sleep. But that's another subject for another time.

I have a recipe for Oatmeal on the Run. It's neat because there are any number of combinations you can put together for a great start to the day. First, let me share that I am a soon-to-be certified Wellness Educator, and have learned that there are several VERY important cosiderations for putting together the most important meal of the day. Foods high in fiber will give you a steady source of energy until lunch. Complex carbs provide energy and a healthy fats help as well. The following information is from http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040400.asp#T040401, "An ideal, nutritious breakfast contains a balance of complex carbohydrates and protein. Think grains, plus dairy, plus fruits." If you go to his website, you will find many other ideas, as well as education as to why breakfast is so important. You have to enroll your son in this way of thinking to make sure that he will make the effort to eat at that hour of the morning.

Dr. Sears mentions using Juice Plus+ Complete soy protein for a breakfast smoothie. In conjunction with my wellness business, I offer that very product, in vanilla or chocolate flavors, along with a whole food supplement that gives me 17 different fruits, veggies and grains in capsule, chewable or gummie form. I have numerous files with other tips, shopping lists, etc that I would be happy to share with you. The 'education' part of my business is free of charge. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Oatmeal on the Run
1/2 to 2/3 C rolled oats (regular gives more fiber than quick oats)
1 1/2 T fruit (raisins, dried cherries, blueberries or strawberries)
1 to 1 1/2 T slivered almonds, walnuts, flax meal ro flaxseed oil
1/2 to 2/3 C soy, rice, almond or milk
1/2 scoop protein powder (optional)

Combine ingredients in small bowl with lid. Let stand in refrigerator overnight or 15 minutes prior to eating. No cooking required.

I warn against using cow's milk. Go to www.strongbones.com to learn more. Ground flax seed is hugely nutritious. It gives you fiber, omega 3 fatty acids and many nutrients as well. The fiber also has anti-cancer properties.

I am really passionate about sharing health information to those who wish to optimize their family's health. I truly wish to help prevent degenerative disease through improved nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Call me at ###-###-#### if you would like to learn more. In health, D. www.dianeshealthed.com

You could try toast, breakfast bars, granola bars, or even carnation instant breakfasts.

Hi S.,
Does he like muffins. You could make big, hearty muffins on the weekends so all he has to do is grab one (or two) and go during the week. They can be healthy such as Bran, Banana Nut, Oatmeal, Carrot, Blueberry etc. You can make them with organic ingredients so you know he is getting a healthy start in the morning. He could also grab a piece of fruit on the way out, to go with it.
Other ideas are bags of trail mix he could grab as he runs out the door.
Also the night before cut up fruit (strawberries, blueberries, mangos, grapes etc.) and put them in a blender, put organic vanilla yogurt on top and put in in the refrigerator. In the morning all he has to do is blend and pour it in large mug that has a cover and run out the door.
You could even put some protein powder or flaxseed in it too.
You could also make a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich the night before and he can grab that. Those are a stick to the rib type of meal to get him threw the morning.
Good Luck, I'll try to think of more idea.
M.

Dear S. R.,

I thought of you making really thin pancakes and wrapping them around cooked hot dogs, sausage links, or something else that he likes real well. Perhaps instead of meat sometimes you could place a small amount of fresh fruit and/or cream cheese. He may need a carry on drink in his back pack with the cream cheese and/or fruit with the pancake. Nuts also are a healthy snack so I would think they could be used for a fast breakfast sometimes. They have plant fats and they are not as bad for your body as animal fat from what I understand.

I also used to eat lots of avocado when I was in Weight Watchers and did not gain any weight even though I ate a lot.

Hope this helps some.

L. C.

muffins - put in indiv. sandwich bags & freeze
yogurt
drinkable yogurt
Cereal bars
Energy bars (like power bars, etc)
pop tarts (not much nutrition, but better than no breakfast)
frozen pb&j sandwiches ("Uncrustables")
frozen, stuffed bagels - the cinnamon ones are best
frozen, pre-made omelettes (require <1 min in microwave)

I buy the last 3 items in bulk from my daughter's school's PTA Market Day fundraiser.

Oh the world of teenagers. My 9th grader hates breakfast and has the same dilema. First they hate the traditional breakfast items, so this is what we are going to try. Cheese sticks, breakfast (protein) bars, Chex Mix (small to go bags), Cheez it crackers (small to go bags) and Gogurts. Since she doesn't want to eat right away, we decided to take it with her and she can eat on the bus or right befofre class starts. We went to Sam's and the grocery store to get ideas for "snacks" v. breakfast.

I can get my son to drink the instant breakfast as he loves milk - otherwise he eats around 10 so I pack a double lunch for him :)

My ninth grade daughter (starting high school) toasts muffin toppers, we make waffles and freeze them for her to toast, she has a bowl of cereal and wheat toast, but her favorite is bagels. She usually has orange juice with this. I think the hardest part of back to school will be getting us all up in the morning.

Have you thought about a bagged breakfast? Juice box, fruit, french toast sticks, box of cereal, milk, hard boiled eggs. Just think of what a hotel would have out for a continential breakfast and put it in a bag for your son. You could make it up the night before too. I have made fried egg sandwiches the night before so I had something to eat in the car the next morning...they are pretty good cold! Breakfast is so important for your child at this age, I'm glad you are a mother that cares!

Wow! You are the multi-tasking woman!

There are healthy fast foods. A good non-gmo soy protein made into a smoothie is always a wonderful way to start the day (gives energy and evens out the blood sugars). Also, protein bars. When looking at the label, insure the product does not contain high fructose corn syrup, and trans fats and contains at least 10 grams of protein.

I have some products that I can recommend. If you are interested, call me at ###-###-####.

M.

I too have a 14 year old son who is entering high school. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Since your son is old enough to understand the imporatance of food, that is food is fuel I think addressing the situation as such might just work. Generally when pressed for time I put a serving of cereal in a baggie, make instant oatmeal or hand a Quaker Oats breakfast cookie on the way out the door.
In addition encourage him to shower at night, this way he sould have no problem getting up at 5:30-5:45 AM. Finally I have my son go to his room at 9:30 and lights out at 10:00 NO EXCEPTIONS! He usually is out bu 9:45PM. When you son wake, encourage him to down 2 - 8oz servings of water, to rehidrate his body. I hope this helps...it works for me

Is there any way your or your husband could drive him to school? Sorry if that sounds too obvious like you hadn't thought of that already :-)

Odd. Usually the middle and high schoolers are picked up the same time. Has been around South Lyon for years. But now, yeah, because of the new high school each level of school has their own schedules. I am happy I don't worry about it anymore.

Breakfast. Pop Tarts? Ensure? Put it out the night before so he can grab and go. Granola bars work. Have HIM pick out what he wants the night before so it's where he can grab it on his way out the door. It puts the responsibility in his hands.

Have you tried Fiber One bars???? Lots of fiber will keep him full. Easy to carry with him and, believe it or not, yummy!! Actually, the Chocolate & Oats are the best. Go to Costco and get a big box, once you find out how much he likes them...you, too! Or, a hard boiled egg is good,too!!

good luck!

sounds like your teen should steer away from lots of carbs, quick energy but a crash will happen. keep a good assortment of nut butters on hand (for rice cakes, toast, apple dipping etc. Almond butter, Cashew butter and Peanut butter are available at Whole Foods or other natural foods stores.

Good Luck
J.

How about Nutrigrain fruit bars, fiber one bars, or protein bars?

Breakfast Burritos can make several up at once and store in the freezer...just microwave in the morning

Hard boiled eggs

Cereal bars there are several recipes out there so you can make your own...our favorite is oatmeal peanut butter and honey...we make a pan of it in the microwave! You can also add protien powder into them for an added boost!

Yogurt mixed with cereal (no spillage on the bus!)

Breakfast sandwiches...just microwave to warm up.

Fruit kabobs

Think outside of the breakfast box. How about pizza? You have your grains, a protien, a dairy, and veggie...

My kids all like the carnation breakfast drinks. The chocolate is especially liked! :)
They also like the South Beach Diet protien bars. There are 3 or 4 different ones (can't think of them off the top of my head but - chocolate, cranberry/almond & peanut butter are 3 of them).

Good Luck!!

K.

S.,

Somthing I do when I know were going to have a busy morning is make scrambled eggs ahead of time and put them in the fridge. Then when breakfast is needed just microwave a serving of eggs (in our microwave about 30 seconds) put them in a soft flour tortilla with cheese slice and wrap it up and go!

Another easy one we have done is make french toast ahead of time (or this works with pancakes too) and in the morning toast them then put PB & J in between two of them and you can eat that on the run too!

Smoothies are also fast and easy. I have made them up the night before and put them in a plastic disposable cup with the sticky type saran wrap over the top. You can drink this quickly or take it along and drink it while your riding.

Somthing else I like for breakfast, is cold left over pizza. Also fast and easy.

Good luck, hope this helps.

When the boys were in high school this was always a battle for us. Sometimes, they would grab breakfast at school. My youngest used to take a bowl of oatmeal and a banana out the door with him in the mornings - I had to make sure it was one that I didn't care if it was tossed/broken. Fall was the worst - we had football players and they are always hungry and never wanted to get out of bed. I made sure to have lots of granola bars, cereal bars and toaster things that have ham, egg and cheese in them.
Good luck!

High fiber muffins. You can freeze them so you can make big batches. You could even get boxed milk or real fruit juice to go with it. Email me for pear muffins and pumpkin spice muffins recipes. They are long, so I don't want to write them out if you don't want them. Add an apple or banana if he is a big eater.

You could buy breakfast sandwhiches, then he can put them in the microwave really quick and eat it while he is walking to the bus stop. Or they have the breakfast ceareal bars! It can be a little hard trying to find things that are quick and easy to make in the morning and are healthy! I hope this gives you some ideas.

Amy's makes a breakfast burrito with tofu, potatoes, and other yummy/healthy stuff. It's a little pricey at $2+ a pop, but when I don't have time to make something healthy myself, I love it. It takes 2 minutes to microwave and I can take it with me out the door if needed (though it can be a touch messy if not eaten carefully!).

They're in the frozen section and even Kroger's carries them now.

Fruit (banana, bag of grapes, strawberries, an apple) and a yogurt smoothie or gogurt. Or a baggie with dry cereal (frosted mini wheats or his fav) and a yogurt smoothie or gogurt. Or peanut butter and cheese crackers, fruit & yogurt?

Breakfast is always a challenge at my house, so I can relate. Good luck and I hope he finds something he likes. Breakfast is too important to skip.

S.,

Good luck with the new bus schedule. I know how hard it can be, our elementary school is starting 1/2 hour earlier this year than last and my little guy is a late riser. Next week will be our dry run so we both can become accustomed to the new routine.

For breakfasts you can do a number of different "make ahead" meals that you and your son can prepare on the weekends and heat every morning. I have included one below:

I like the burrito roll-ups with ground sausage, onions, peppers, eggs, and cheese. Brown the sausage over medium heat in a non-stick pan. Once brown add the onions and peppers and cook until soft (about 3 minutes).

Remove the sausage mixture from the pan and place in a bowl then add your eggs into the pan and scramble until desired consistency.

Lay out a tortilla and put the sausage mixture in a line down the center (about 1/4 inch from the top and bottom). Put eggs and cheese on top of the sausage mixture and fold up the bottom, then roll the sides and pin with a tooth pick parallel to the wrap. Wrap in aluminum foil or wax paper and place into a gallon freezer bag. Freeze until ready to heat and eat.

To re-heat, unwrap the wrap and place on a regular plate. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes at 50% power. Increase time if needed until the wrap comes out to the desired temperature.

I also have a great recipe for mini-quiches for the morning. Let me know if you would like me to send that on as well. These breakfasts are great with a bit of fruit and yogurt as well, but provide quite a bit of protein to growing boys.

Good luck with the new schedule!