Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Oatmeal. It comes in so many varieties nowadays that you should be able to find SOMETHING that the kids will like. And it is easy, because you can microwave the instant stuff - I even have a crockpot recipe around here somewhere for the regular (steel cut, I think it's called?) oatmeal that you cook overnight. The WalMart brand is pretty good and usually a lot cheaper than the Quaker brand unless it is on sale. I have a couple breakfast casserole type recipes that you prep the night before and keep in the fridge, but those might be tough on a school morning unless you are up really early to bake it. Well, unless you baked one say for a Sunday morning and portioned the rest in resealable containers to microwave throughout the week. We do a lot of that here for my husband to have breakfast before he goes to work. Hope you find some suggestions that work for you. Good luck!

An easy hearty breakfast my family makes sometimes is an egg/cheese or egg/sausage "mcmuffin". They are cheap and easy to make at home and everyone loves them.

My kids love eating oatmeal. It's quick, easy & healthy! Good luck.

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

My daughter and I both love Cheerios, they now have so many flavors and are yummy. My favorite and regular breakfast is the strawberry yogurt flavor Cheerios topped with the mini strawberry shredded wheat. I started eating this regularly almost every morning 3 months ago and my cholesterol dropped from 268 to 209.

Hi J.,
I make granola cereal from scratch. It has (uncooked)oatmeal, brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, butter, honey and either raisins or craisins. You can usually find varied recipes online to help you with the ingredients but we love it and it is very healthy. It can be served with milk or our kids like it with plain yogurt. We too enjoy pancakes or waffles occasionally but we have gone to using real maple syrup on them. That way the sugar you are receiving is at least natural. The only store bought cereal we ever by is the "Honey-Nut Scooters". The first ingredient is whole oat flour and the sugar content is generally lower then most of the other cereals. I'm sure you'll get numerous ideas from all these other ladies so best wishes to eating healthier. L.

We do a lot of yogurt and fruit. Berries, kiwi, plums, etc. are some favorites. My kids love oatmeal, too. We do the 5 minute cook kind and they add milk. The kids also like English muffins, bagels, and toast. We do the high fiber, 100% whole wheat varieties, and fruit only jellies. I think the jellies may be a bit higher in sugar than no-sugar varieties, but I don't like the artificial sweeteners. Our kids also like the Jimmie Dean patty variety sausage, but I try to limit that to special occasions. :) Eggs are good, too. We offer cheese or yogurt for a little bit of protein with each breakfast. GL!

Eggs are quick - saute some green onion, mushroom, tomatoes, green pepper, sausage (anything that sounds good), add a little EVOO or spray oil and cook some scrambled eggs. Top with salsa or chives for a little bite of flavor!

my 10 year old son can eat 2-4 bowls of cereal a day! we don't even get the sugary ones - those are treats for vacation. we eat honey nut cheerios, cinnamon life, shredded wheat, raisin bran, etc. Usually I won't buy cereal unless it has at least 2 grams of fiber.
both my kids love instant oatmeal and eat it all the time. We keep yoplait yogurt in their favorite flavors that the kids can have as breakfast or snacks and my son loves gogurt too, and peanut butter and torilla rollups or PB with apple slices are very popular in my house. scrambled eggs with cheese in tortillas are also a favorite - sometimes we have that for dinner. american or muenster cheese melted on bagels is good for breakfast too, with fruit or juice.

pancakes or waffles are once a week only.

My kids are HUGE breakfast eaters... and so in addition to cereal, they usually eat yogurt/gogurt, fresh fruit (bananas, melon, grapes, etc.), hard boiled eggs, and/or Nutrigrain bars. If we happen to be packing lunches in the morning, they are not opposed to eating lunch meat and cheese sticks too. All involve little or no preparation.... especially if you cook a bunch of eggs ahead of time or cut the melons up for the week ahead.

As for cereal options... there are lots of cereals out there that are low in sugar content (plain Cherrios, Kix, and Life to name a few). My kids eat a lot of cereal, so I stock up on it when it goes on sale at the grocery store. I also buy a lot of our cereal (Cherrios, granola, etc.) at Costco.

Good luck!

I'm a big fan of eggs. Scrambled eggs are pretty easy. Sometimes I keep small containers of chopped green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, & cheese in the fridge and those can be added in the egg mixture while cooking.

There are also a number of egg and sausage or just egg casseroles out there. I don't have any recipes handy but I'm sure a search of a recipe site would turn up something.

Hi J., I haven't read your responses yet, so please forgive me if this is a repeat, but, and I know it sounds boring, but we eat oatmeal almost every morning. Not the instant kind, but it still takes only 3-4 minutes in the microwave, and is super easy (just make sure you use a BIG bowl and cook 2 minutes, stir, then 1 minute and stir again). It is really tasty when you add (after cooking) raisins, walnuts (or other nuts), apple slices (plus cinnamon, really good with the apple), or banana. The fruit is so sweet, you really don't need any sugar, and you can get pretty creative. My 3-yr. old eats it up. When we want a change, we do Wheaties and add raisins, or Cheerios with bananas. On weekends I make pancakes (using Bisquik) and pile in frozen blueberries (I heat them before adding) or canned peaches, and/or apple that's sliced really thin. Hope this helps!

Hello J.,

Remember that you're normal for trying to get in all the right breakfasts and not always having time or energy to do so. It's great that you are concerned!

I think that cereals can be ok if you can get them hooked on ones like Kashi or cheeros. I do agree that sugars are not the best morning food. Another thing to consider is cutting up some bananas to put into their cereal or other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, etc. You need to consider too that the children will need some time to adjust to the change. You could also give them a yogurt to eat before their bowl of cereal. Things like that might just help.

If your up to making breakfast I think eggs of any sort are great - I always find scrambled the easiest - esp since I'm not a morning person. haha!

I am sure you are getting lots of great suggestions from other moms - so I hope this little tid bit helps too.
Stay happy & healthy - C.

I make a lot of breads from scratch, using whole wheat flour, flax, wheat germ and serve it with yogurt, natural sausage, scrambled eggs. I always use extra pumpkin, raisins, applesauce, etc. in the recipe too. Eggs sandwiches with bagels, tortillas, or ww English muffins are a favorite. I have had success mixing sugary cereal with non sugared, too (think combining honey cheerios with plain, that type of thing).

Good luck!

A few things I do is replace all sugar with honey. It is a much better solution. I even buy kashi or bran flakes and top with honey and bananas or strawberries. My kids love it and I have not had any of their friends complain either. I also make pancakes and french toast regularly but top it again with fruit and/or honey. Sometimes I even put a tiniest bit of powdered sugar. Some other super fast ideas are scrambled eggs, 1 minute in the micro or even faster on the stove top, some toast, cheese, etc. You can also make some of the great breakfast casseroles or muffins that will last a couple of breakfasts. I know I have googled breakfast casseroles online and came up with a ton of ideas. The nice thing about these breakfast casseroles is they only take about 10 minutes to put together and then you just stick it in the oven while you get everyone ready.

I do find the hardest thing about eating is finding the time, especially in the busy time of the morning. I just always try to think ahead and find things that save for a couple of meals and you should be good to go.

Cold cereal is more healthy and cost effective than people seem to think. Grab a box of cheerios and check out the nutrition facts. Whole grain, lots of vitamins, calcium from the milk, and quick and easy. And you don't have to spend a ton. Buy generic brands (we get Malt-o-meal all the time, and the kids love it!) and show your kids how much is acceptable (have them use a measuring cup if you want). Take them shopping with you and help pick out cereal. Go for the whole-grain, lower sugar options most of the time - toasteeoss, shredded wheat spooners, etc.
I love cooking breakfast (eggs or pancakes or hashbrowns or creamy wheat or cracked wheat or oatmeal) when I can, but it's nice that my kids also can fix their own breakfast when they want to. My youngest is now almost 6 but he's been able to make cold cereal for over a year.

My boy likes plain yogurt mixed with smashed bananas for sweetness. Then we add berries. It is good carbs, good fiber, and some protein to get him going. I also like doing it this way because then he doesn't get a bunch of sugar that is in the pre-mixed fruit yogurts in really high amounts. One thought about cold cereal that I discovered when I was trying to loose weight - if you practice portion control, meaning if you measure out the cereal, it really isn't that expensive. Cold cereals aren't a bad choice for breakfast, but look for some that are higher in protein and fiber that will fill up your children's bellies. Cheerios are a good cold cereal and lower in sugar than say, Fruit Loops, etc. Cheerios with a bit of honey and banana is also one of our favorite breakfasts. If you are using the Fruit Loops, Captain Crunch, etc, don't cut them out completely. Keep them for an afternoon treat. It's just like getting a cookie and milk in the afternoon, and that way you children still get that fun sugar cereal (let's admit it, we all like it!) but are eating cereal in the morning that is more filling. And, if they'll eat eggs, making scrambled eggs doesn't take any more time that filling three bowls of cereal. Try adding some cheese to the eggs once in a while. Good luck.

Not sure how your kids feel about eggs but my son loves them scrambled, fried, soft boiled, poached and if I do omlets I can add veggies and cheese. He also loves hot cerials (0at meal, cream of wheat, maltomeal) and I add fresh fruit to that. Yogurt with granola and peanutbutter toast or bagels and cream cheese are another favorite. Sometimes just making a fresh fruit salad and keeping it in the fridge is a life saver with some cheese yougurt and/or Ovaltine . Don't beat youself up look at your cereal box they are fortified with lots of vitamins too, so they are great for mornings when you just don't have time.

One very simple item is toast and hot chocolate. My husband had this all the time growing up and his mom cut the toast into strips and called them "toy soldiers". Very easy and somewhat healthy. Another thing would be a breakfast burrito using eggs, cheese and a small tortilla. Fruit and yogurt parfaits are simple also.

There's certainly nothing wrong with cereal. Lots of nutrition in the right cereals with milk. Just transition your family from sugar cereals to the normal ones: Honey Bunches of Oats, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, etc.

As a rule of thumb, if you keep the harmful "foods" out of your house (Doritos, soda, juice, Lucky Charms), the kids won't eat unhealthy foods.

Hi J.! I read your responses mostly to get ideas for myself - because I am in the same boat as you! And while I tried to stick to healthier cereals, my husband does most of the grocery shopping because he likes to go to the commissary to save money - so he buys Lucky Charms, Cinnimon Toast Crunch, etc because it's "fun for the kids." (But I guess I shouldn't complain too much since he is going the grocery shopping so that I don't have to:)

One quick easy thing that I have been doing is Eggo Waffles - they have a whole grain option - with peanut butter and bananas instead of syrup. And I buy the Skippy Natural peanut butter - no added sugar, but taste and texture are just like the "real" stuff. So I feel pretty good about this option!

I also always make sure I offer something with the cold cereal - so it's just a small portion of cereal, combined with a fresh fruit, or apple sauce, or yougert.

I'm glad you posted this question! I got a few good ideas to use myself!
S.

It sounds like you got some great ideas. One thing if you want to continue with french toast, pancakes, etc try putting fruit on top you could still spread a little jam or cream cheese. Just keep the amounts down. Or just do those on the weekend or 1 to 2 times a week. My thinking is all things in moderation. Do eggs a few times a week, and hot cereal, muffins, etc.

I think I'm a little like you we used to go through a ton of cold cereal until my son discovered he is lactose intolerant. It is funny but since he isn't eating cereal much my other kids don't either. We go through a lot of toast in the mornings, but I haven't convinced all my children that oatmeal and other hot cereals taste good. I have 2 that will eat it and 2 who just eat the toast.

I think your post is going to motivate me to be a little better at breakfast. Maybe I'll even write up a schedule for each morning.

I am a big fan of whole grained "cereals" that I make hot. For example - the "Irish Style" STEEL CUT oats. I buy them in bulk from Sunflower market (cheap). To cook, I make them the night before on the stove - 1 Cup oats, and 4 cups water. Brign to a boil, cover, and TURN OFF the heat and leave there over night. When you wake up in the morning, they are done. Simply re-heat. Then, I add whey protien powder, which gives them some sweetness too (Vanilla flavor) and anything else I want - some examples: raisins, cinnamon, roasted walnuts, and maple syrup OR blueberries OR bannanas OR peacans and maple syrup.

Another quick and easy breakfast that is healthy is a smoothie - I mix frozen blueberries, water, protein powder, a banana, cinnamon, a few almonds in in the blender, and it's fabulous and super healthy. (and fast)

Last, there are several egg dishes you can make the night before in the fridge, and cook in the morning. I think these are easy - you can put them in the dish after people go to bed, and then just turn on the oven in the a.m. and stick them in to cook. I would google for those recipes. I used to have one with filo dough and salmon that was amazing, but I have lost it. Eggs are pretty cheap and very healthy.

I don't know if you can get them turned on to boiled eggs... but that's really healthy way to start too.

Fruit Smoothies!!! My kids love them! We use the smoothie packs from Schwann's but you can just buy frozen fruit a mix or what ever is your favorite and a banana then we add milk and yogurt or orange juice or we buy the pomogranate lemonade and they love the tang that adds. Tonz of possibilities. :)

I agree with the oatmeal, but avoid the instant with flavors which is just as much sugar as the cold cereals.

Malt-o-meal, Cream of Wheat, other hot cereals for winter.

You can also make muffins at home the day before, or make the batter in the fridge and cook it in the morning. (bran muffins works great for this) You can use wheat flour, but I just found out you need to keep the ground(within a short time after it is ground) wheat in the fridge or freezer, to keep all the nutrients.

Also it can be hard on the stomic to switch every thing at once to whole wheat, so change a little at a time.

S.
mother to Kai
www.HomeWithKai.com

I have a two year old who is not a great eater unless its eggs and bacon and i don't want to make it everyday so most days i give him instant breakfast and toast he loves chocolate milk so thinks it is great it is super easy and doesn't make a mess. Good luck

Hi J.,

Dr Sears recommends a "brainy" breakfast. Visit his website
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040400.asp

If you'd like to learn more about family health and nutrition by Dr Sears check out this 30 minute webinar
https://www.nsavirtualoffice.com/uploads/fckeditor/nsa/Fl...

I hope that helps and feel free to give me a call if you have any questions, ###-###-####
L.

My son also loves oatmeal. We use Coach's Oats brand (at Costco). You add water and microwave for 4 min. There is no sugar or salt or anything in it. I usually add a tiny bit of brown sugar and a handfull of dried fruit. Whole process takes less than 5 min.

Another favorite in our house are frozen banana pops. I take a banana (1/2 a banana for my little guy), put a popsicle stick in the bottom, roll it in yogurt and then roll it in granola. Stick it in the freezer and it's instant healthy breakfast on the go. I usually make a bunch of these at once every 2 weeks or so.

Lastly, we do breakfast burritos a lot. 1 flour tortilla, some scrambled eggs and a strip of turkey bacon (microwaved for 2 min) or a soy sausage patty (microwaved for 90 seconds). Roll it up and go! Great protein and it's easy, hot, and fast.

Hi J.,

Without a doubt, many of the processed foods we buy for our children are loaded with corn syrup, refined sugar, etc. I started cutting foods with refined sugars out of my diet over 5 years ago and I have no regrets! It has helped the diet of the entire family because I don't buy it for my kids either.

You need a protein & carbohydrate combination for breakfast to really stay satiated. I'm really in to different grains for hot cereals- oats in all their forms (steel cut oats, rolled oats, oat bran), wheat in different forms (cooked wheat berries, cracked wheat, etc.), barley, the list goes on. It takes a couple of minutes for some of it to cook in the microwave and then we add some frozen berries and maybe a little honey. The berries cool it down and make it taste delicious. Have it with a glass of milk or some scrambled eggs. Some of the heftier grains that take longer to cook can be put in the crock pot the night before. I just cook it on "warm" because my crock pot is newer and tends to cook faster and hotter.

Also, check out www.greensmoothiegirl.com- she really promotes whole food eating for families and has some good recipe ideas.

I'm always telling my kids breakfast is the most important meal of the day (for reals) because it jump starts the metabolism and gets our brains going. Making any changes are difficult at first, but if you stick with it, the kids will get used to it. And you will not regret doing it.

Good luck!