Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Making the decision to begin to eat more wholesome foods is the first step towards a healthier life. The second step is finding the time in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast. Help is on the way. With a bit of planning, a healthy breakfast can whipped up in just a few minutes. Here are some tried-and-true healthy recipes for breakfast, that just happen to taste great, too.

Plan Ahead for Health

When it comes to fast and delicious healthy breakfasts, preparation is key. Start by loading up the grocery shopping cart with a variety of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, whole grain breads and cereals, low-fat yogurt and eggs. A couple of make-ahead mixes can speed you through the week. Prepare the Easy Trail Mix or the equally easy Fruit Crunch the night before.

Easy Trail Mix

Packaged trail mixes are often loaded with sugar and salt. Mix up your own, store it in a covered container with a scoop inside, and you’ll have a healthy breakfast to go, loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, during the morning rush.

• 2 cups whole grain cereal
• 2 cups dried fruit
• 1 cup nuts
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Fruit Crunch

Any fruit can be used for this easy-prep breakfast, but berries pack the most nutrients. Simply mix the fruits the night before to let the juices run and the flavors marry. A dollop of low-fat yogurt or low-fat sour cream adds a bit of tart to this sweet tasting treat.

• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup whole grain cereal or granola
• Drizzle of honey

30 Second Microwave Scramble

For a fast, hot healthy breakfast, it’s hard to beat this egg scramble. Simply whisk the eggs, then toss all of the ingredients into a microwave safe mug and microwave until the eggs “set.”  Crusty breads work best in this recipe. Punch up the flavor with a bit of hot sauce or Tabasco sauce. Add a slice of heart-healthy avocado or lycopene-rich tomato after the mug comes out of the microwave.

• 2 eggs
• 1 slice whole grain bread, torn into chunks
• 1 cup leftover cooked meat or vegetables

Simple Smoothies for A Healthy Breakfast

To ensure your smoothies are healthy, make them at home. Most fast food smoothies are loaded with fat, sugar and diet-busting calories. These two recipes are simple enough so that they won’t slow you down in the morning making them. Just blend them up and go.

Fruit Smoothie

• 1 cup low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup natural fruit juice
• 1 cup fruit
• 1 cup crushed ice

Banana Nut Smoothie

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup banana
• Drizzle honey
• 1 cup crushed ice

Make Ahead Toaster Pancakes

Make these pancakes ahead of time, layer them in paper towels, cover with plastic and store in the refrigerator. Then pop a couple into the toaster and spread with fruit, for an easy breakfast that comes in at about 300 calories.

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix milk and lemon juice in second bowl and let sit 5 minutes, then add sour cream, eggs and butter. Slowly mix wet ingredients in with the dry. Let sit 10 minutes. Fry them up in the vegetable oil and cool them on a wire rack.

Karen Wright ensures she gets a healthy start to the day with a nutritious breakfast and it is one of her top tips for getting in shape and maintaining the healthy lifestyle. While she admits that products such as Slim Fast can help weight loss for a special occasion, she has yet to see anybody maintain their new figure without resorting to a healthy and tasty breakfast instead of shakes.