Rise and Shine: 4 Nutricious Breakfast Ideas

In the busy world we live in, it can be difficult to find enough time for a morning meal. Whether you run out the door in the morning with a coffee or force down a breakfast replacement drink, you might be missing out on the benefits of a high-quality breakfast in the morning. Those who start their day with a healthy breakfast are more likely to be at a healthy weight, have more energy throughout the day, and even have lower cholesterol than those who skip their morning meal. If you think that you just don’t have time to whip up a proper breakfast before work or school, think again. These great breakfast ideas are packed with nutrition and won’t take long to prepare.

 Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an obvious breakfast choice, but you might not enjoy waiting for the oats to cook over the stove when you are in a rush in the morning. Thankfully, baked oatmeal requires little preparation in the morning, and you just need to bake up a batch over the weekend when you have more time. Mix up a hearty oatmeal batter by combining three cups of dry oats, one cup of milk, two whole eggs, and your choice of fruits, nuts, seeds or sweeteners. After it has baked for forty minutes and is cooked through, let it cool, slice it into bars and store in the fridge. Each morning you can grab a bar to eat on the go, or warm it up in the microwave and serve it in a bowl with a splash of milk for a filling treat.

 Gourmet Breakfast Pizza

There is probably more than one occasion when you have been tempted to eat cold leftover pizza rather than cook another big meal. If you crave the flavors of pizza in the morning, there are actually some healthy alternatives that can be cooked quickly. A sophisticated version is to slice leftover baguette and layer on low-fat ricotta cheese as well as a few sliced tomatoes, some salt and few drops of high-quality olive oil. Another kid-friendly version is to take a piece of bread and layer on some jarred tomato sauce as well as some grated cheese and sliced tomatoes. Place it right under the broiler in the oven to let it melt the cheese and toast the bread, a process that will typically take less than two minutes.

 Greek Yogurt Parfait

One of the keys to a satisfying breakfast that keeps you full all morning is having plenty of protein. While popular breakfast protein sources like eggs and bacon require cooking, Greek yogurt is one option that is ready to go as soon as you take it out of the fridge. Greek yogurt is a thicker version of traditional yogurt, and it packs far more protein. The creamy texture makes it perfect for a breakfast parfait.

Simply fill a cup or bowl one-third of the way with yogurt, and then layer on your choice of fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries. Then, add in some toppings like sliced almonds, chia seeds or even a sprinkling of granola. This parfait takes just seconds to put together, but it is full of the nutrients you need to start your day feeling happy and healthy.

 Breakfast Tacos

This dish might sound like a strange choice for a morning meal, but it is actually the perfect thing to eat when you are on the go. Start by scrambling eggs on the stove with your choice of cheese, diced ham or sliced veggies. If you really are pressed for time, you can even cook your eggs in the microwave. Just crack the eggs, stir and then cook for thirty seconds at a time. After each round in the microwave, stir quickly to ensure even heating. Once the eggs are cooked, wrap them in a flour or corn tortilla with some shredded cheese and a spoonful of salsa or guacamole for extra flavor.

Whether your ideal quick and healthy breakfast is a yoghurt parfait or a slice of baked oatmeal, you will be doing yourself a healthy favor by grabbing something to eat before you start your day. A balanced and nutritious diet is important for overall health, and that includes everything from diet to exercise to coverage for emergency medical attention. Do your health a favour by enjoying a nutritious breakfast each day and getting adequate medical coverage by comparing health insurance online.

Editors Note:  This is a guest post but I agree with the importance of a healthy breakfast. If you, like me, follow a plant-based diet then substitute any animal products for a plant-based alternative using tofu, soy cheese, soy yogurt and/or soy milk.