As the new school year begins, make sure the kids (and you!) are not missing the most important meal of the day.
Among other benefits, Today’s Dietitian reports that starting the day with a healthy breakfast kick-starts our metabolism helping prevent weight gain and medical issues such as diabetes and obesity. Not to mention the fact that learning arithmetic with a full stomach is a lot easier than learning with a growling tummy!
We understand that mornings can be a hectic time, and breakfast is not always a top priority. Parenting.com has compiled a list of easy breakfast recipes – here are some of our favorites to help jump-start your “on-the-go” back to school breakfast routine!
- Dressed-Up Yogurt
Plain vanilla yogurt lacks the luster that attracts kids to eat it, so vamp it up by adding fun healthy items to the mix (just leave out the “healthy” selling point when describing this to them). Popular and healthy yogurt add-ins include:
– Honey
– Toasted almonds, pistachios
– Coconut
– Granola
Get creative with this one! Let your kids choose some of their favorite items to make concoctions of their own.
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie
Smoothies are easy to make and usually incorporate ingredients that are in many households. This classic smoothie tastes more like a desert and is packed with vitamins!
– 2 cups frozen berries or fruit
– 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate (or ½ cup orange juice)
– ½ cup water
– ½ cup yogurt
– 1 frozen banana
– 1 tablespoon honey
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Homemade Granola Bars (they’re easier to make than you think)
This recipe for homemade granola bars is an excellent way to provide a nutritional breakfast and avoid the many added sugars that are in most store-bought breakfast treats. With ingredients like old-fashioned oatmeal, sliced almonds, dark brown sugar, dried fruit and more, making these tasty, yet healthy, treats can be a fun family evening activity!
- Crust-less Quiche Muffins
If your concern is getting enough protein in the morning, these muffins are the perfect solution. Full instructions can be found online, but the main ingredients consist of eggs, bacon, cream and cheese, to name a few. Alter the recipe to accommodate picky eaters because these quiche muffins will soon become your go-to for mornings on-the-go!
- Pop-Toast
This simple breakfast is an easy replacement for sugar-filled, ready-made toaster pastries and requires only three main ingredients:
– 2 pieces of whole wheat bread
– 1 teaspoon softened butter or hazelnut spread
– 1.5 tablespoon jam
Lightly butter the two slices of bread with the butter or spread, then spread the jam over just one slice leaving a half-inch border around the edges. Put the slices together and cut the crust off, seal them together by using the prongs of a fork, then *pop* the sandwich into the toaster. Hot and ready to go!
Use your imagination to come up with your own combinations. Thinly sliced fruit such as bananas and strawberries are an excellent way to add fresher flavors.
Visit Parenting.com to see the complete list of on-the-go breakfast recipes.
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