better breakfast options

Audrvrs

I need some better options for breakfast! I get up at 5AM and get myself and my 3 children ready for work and school. Usually on my way to work I will stop at McDonalds or some fast food chain. I know even the best choices out of these are bad, but I need a fast but fulfilling breakfast option. I have been eating bagels for the last 3 days but this is NOT BY FAR my favorite! Anybody have any good ideas?

jellybellymarie

Try fruit and yogurt parfaits if you have to eat on the run! :-) Most fast food places have them and they are easy enough to prepare at home too.

Discoveri

Bump. I am always looking for new breakfast options.

Mjhnbgff

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We've all heard this all our lives because it's true. It wasn't until I started making breakfast a priority that I began to feel better and see significant weight loss. My doctor told me to make sure to get in at least 15 grams of protein at every meal, including breakfast. A bagel and coffee isn't going to do it for you, and if you're getting a regular bakery bagel, that's 4 servings of bread.

I don't know what you like to eat so I don't have any suggestions for you, other than to please make sure you have enough protein with your breakfast. I only eat breakfast at home but I hate cooking so early in the morning so I keep things on hand that I like having for breakfast. My two favorites are Barbara's Multigrain Spoonfuls cereal and Three Sisters Plain Grain (available at Whole Foods) with some kind of fruit (usually a banana) and skim or soy milk. Some mornings I'll have a little extra protein such as a couple hard boiled eggs or a few slices of turkey, but most of the time this is enough to get me through until my mid-morning snack. I find that it helps me tremendously to not have to spend too much time thinking about breakfast. I don't need my food to entertain me that early in the morning so cereal or oatmeal everyday is just fine.

RenewedRunner

I eat Better Oats Thick and Hearty oatmeal almost every day. The pouch it comes in doubles as the measuring cup for adding water. That and a banana.

What about some greek yogurt with kashi? Or hard boiled eggs and a piece of fruit?

Somedays I make peanut butter toast (with 15 grain bread) and just eat it later. I like toast cold though (husband says this is super strange).

jj1973

I find that a boiled egg holds me over til lunch - but then again I don't seem to need a huge morning meal.

The nice thing about a boiled egg is that you can prepare it the night before. When I have time I slice it in half, add a slice of dill pickle, sprinkle with tony chachere's seasoning and eat it that way. It tastes a lot like a deviled egg. I finish it off with a glass of iced tea.

On the days I cheat, I eat 2 chicken strips and a coke from the local deli, so I'm probably not the best source of ideas!!! :noway:

bbriscoe13

Sunday, I made little egg muffins for the whole week. I put turkey sausage, spinach, mushrooms, feta, and egg beaters (1 egg) in each spot on the muffin pan. I have 2 each morning. They are pretty good, filling, and low in calories. If I work out, I also have a peice of toast, almond butter, with a little apple pie spice on it. That is really filling. Oatmeal is also a good option. I make a big pot on sunday, put them in containers and heat them up when I get to work. Good luck.

MSeel1984

Have hard boiled eggs ready to go...toast with natural peanut butter...Yogurts (I do that a lot-add some almonds for extra fiber and protein)....I used to make my own trail mix using a healthy cereal, almonds and some kind of dried fruit...can even ad a few dark chocolate chips. Make some breakfast wraps at home using scrambled eggs, low fat cheese and veggies wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. Pop it in the microwave before you run out the door. Can do the same thing with English muffins. Make a homemade healthier version (scrambled eggs, 2% cheddar, whole grain English Muffin)

jsrussell2127

Just a heads up:

When I was 20-21yo I was in college and I was eating bagels and soft pretzels everyday (one or the other, not both) because I was always in the road between school and work. The bagels and pretzels were offered at the school snack bar. And, I GAINED about 20lbs!

So, I would definitely try the yogourt or oatmeal from McDonald's (not that it's that tasty), if you're going to eat fast food for breakfast. I, too, have a drive to work and 2 kids to get ready for school/babysitter in the morning. I have found the Kellogg's Pastry Crisps to satisfy me for breakfast and then I eat a piece of fruit for my morning snack.

Mlkmaid

Hungry Girl Egg Cups. Basically scrambled eggs microwaved in a mug or cup with a bunch of mix-ins. Yesterday I had eggs (I use real, she uses egg substitute), spinach, a little cheese, turkey sausage, grape tomatoes, and some fresh basil. Yum in about 3 minutes. You can google the basic recipe.

Mlkmaid

Just a heads up:

When I was 20-21yo I was in college and I was eating bagels and soft pretzels everyday (one or the other, not both) because I was always in the road between school and work. The bagels and pretzels were offered at the school snack bar. And, I GAINED about 20lbs!

I read somewhere a long time ago that a woman should NEVER eat a whole bagel because it will put weight on you very fast.

stacdjen

I get low-fat cereal bars (Wal-Mart brand, Nutri-grain, or Special K) and 100 cal. English Muffins. I pair it with a glass of skim milk or hot chocolate. That usually holds me over until my mid-morning snack.

trizzell79

How about a green smoothie? A hand full of spinach, a banana, plain Greek yogurt, milk, sweetener. You can even add oats.


This website has some good smoothie recipes:

http://www.greenthickies.com/green-thickies-basics-green-drink-recipes/

nancybuss

I have a Shakeology shake every day. (I don't need a debate here on that). I personally love it and I'm right there with you getting kids ready and getting off to work.

I Love an egg mcmuffin, but my 'body' doesn't like it anymore.

PM me if you'd like any more info.

squirrelythegreat

I'm pretty particular to having fried eggs with whole grain toast. I sautee mushrooms and spinach to go on it and usually a piece of cheese on each piece of toast. (thin sliced sargento) Sometimes a greek yogurt cup with it.

cwolfman13

I have one serving of Coach's Oats topped with 1/3 cup of blueberries, 1 8oz cup 1% milk (some goes on the oatmeal), 1 hard boiled egg, and 1 11.5oz can low sodium v8 to start my day. This comes in around 435 calories. It's very easy as Coach's Oats have a very similar texture to steel cut, but can be microwaved in 4 minutes. I hard boil 5 eggs on Sunday night for the work week and obviously just have to grab my v8 and the milk.

I'm busy getting my kiddos ready to, so this usually gets quickly packed up along with my lunch and I eat it at my desk while I'm working. Occasionally I have time to actually eat it at home before leaving the house, but rarely as I have an hour commute.

RenewedRunner

Well you gain weight from eating too many calories. I wouldnt say that bagels are the devil.

I read somewhere once that if you eat doughnuts in front of someone, they are calorie free. Just putting something in print doesnt make it true...

erinnstreeter

I tend to eat food in the morning that are more like dinner than breakfast, and sometimes I have traditional breakfast foods at dinner. This is all probably the result of my efforts to concentrate on fulfilling my major macros in a prioritized way (first protein, then fat, and finally carbs).

This is what works for me! YMMV.

JessicaLynn82

I always load up on the protein for breakfast its a special k protein bar or a muscle milk. Then I eat a protein snack bar for my two snacks. I actually made a healthy ground round burger well about 5 of them, and ate four of them throughout one day and the next day I was 2lbs lighter, IMAGINE THAT!

JessicaLynn82

love SHAKEOLOGY! I did INSANITY over the summer and loved it and hope to do it again this summer but just lighter in weight thanks to MFP whew hoo!

iampam4399

I, too, am getting on the "must eat a good breakfast" bandwagon, and am finding that there really are a lot of choices out there...besides oatmeal and cereal (which I adore anyway).
I am a single mom, with 2 children to help get ready in the morning, plus I have to ready myself to go to work, as well. A lot of mornings I make smoothies....some kinda fruit that I have frozen previously (bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc), 30 cal. unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, a handful of kale, a little vanilla extract, whizzed up in the blender. So quick and good!

Boiled eggs, fried eggs (with non-stick spray of course), poached eggs (on low-cal bread), omelette...all quick and easy to make.

Make yourself some wraps with lean protein and a few raw veggies ahead of time, then wrap individually, and freeze. Pop in microwave to warm.

Just always keep PROTEIN at the forefront of your thought. It will help keep you satisfied until your next meal/snack.

Firefox7275

Not sure if you mean just for you or for your children too?

Smoothies are so fast to make at home - two servings frozen mixed berries, whey powder and/ or cottage cheese and/ or soft cheese, a banana or avocado, some canned pumpkin or frozen spinach, liquid as needed, maybe a little sweetener. Measure and defrost the frozen stuff the night before so you just throw the ingredients in, blend, rinse the blade under a running tap, lid your container and go within two minutes.

Or overnight refrigerator oats soaked in milk or Greek yoghurt not water, can add dried fruit and nuts the night before so they soften or throw in a handful in the morning for texture. Or a cold vegetable frittata - veggies of choice, eggs, cottage cheese or low fat soft cheese, seasonings, grated cheese if you wish.

Some of the recipes can be made ahead of time
http://www.marmaladeandmileposts.com/archives/category/food/meals/breakfasts

ITn1nja

I think we have our meal portions backwards. We (assuming USA citizens of average eating habits) eat a small to medium meal for breakfast, a medium to small meal for lunch, and a relatively large meal for dinner.

I propose that your largest meal should be breakfast and your smallest meal dinner. Eat what you want for breakfast to fuel your day. balance and supplement with a sensible lunch and a light dinner.

DoxiePupMom

I'm always on the run too and don't have the time to prepare anything. Today I ordered the Subway 6" Breakfast Egg & Ham Flatbread with tomato and bell peppers + Coffee for $3.00. Since I'm limiting carbs I threw away the flatbread. It holds me over and is cheaper than Mcdonalds.

beverlyl64

You can make steel cut oats the night before and warm in the microwave the next morning, top with fresh fruit. A piece of fresh fruit and a piece of whole wheat toast. Just some things I've done in the past.

bglisson

I have a terrible commute and leave my house every morning at 4:30am, so I have to have a healthy breakfast that will keep me full until lunch. What's currently working for me is making a breakfast casserole on Sundays then reheating a portion when I get to work each day. I cook a pound of sausage, and then add 1 chopped red bell pepper and 8 cups of raw spinach, cook until the spinach has wilted, I remove from the heat and add it to a bowl of 12 beaten eggs. I pour into a 9 x 13 greased pan and sprinkle 4 oz of grated cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 30 minutes. Once it's cooled I divide into 8 portions and wrap them separately. Then each day I grab one and reheat in the microwave for 45 seconds. They last me all week and keep me full. The recipe modifies easily with other meats and veggies (even leftovers), but that one is my current favorite. It's gluten free and low carb.

TheSpicyMermaid

Bump because breakfast is my bane.

hsh0927

Have you tried oatmeal smoothies? You can find tons of recipies by just using Bing or Google. The best part? You can make them the night before and leave them in the fridge to grab and go in the AM. I also know people that make a large batch at once and freeze them for weeks at a time.

RenewedRunner

PS)If you have the 5 minutes to run through drive thru, you have the 5 minutes to make something at home.

Learned this myself regarding dinner. Rotisserie chicken and bagged salad much better option than Wendys baconator!

magdalen13

Yeah, breakfast is a constant issue on school mornings. We hardboil a dozen eggs every week and take those to go, and add a banana or yogurt or something else you can down real quick. If you have to hit a drive-thru, the Subway egg white muffins aren't too terrible for you and offer some veggies, protein, carbs. At McDonald's, a plain egg mcmuffin without cheese isn't too bad but the oatmeal or fruit & yogurt might be better. I usually have one or two things at every chain restaurant I've looked up ahead of time and know I can order safely, but there's currently a McDonald's ban at our house so I don't know one for there for sure.

(I'm lucky cause my husband usually makes breakfast for everyone, but on days he's not, I just do low-cal fiber cereal and some light soy milk, which keeps me going till a snack later... as a mom I'm sure you've already mastered how to bolt your food and get out the door)

saltedcaramel86

I've started hard boiling a few eggs off at a time, keep them in a container in the fridge. Easy grab and go, especially if you're in a rush in the morning, plus good source of protein and healthy fats. I have one alongside my porridge in the mornings. My other go to is usually some wholewheat toast with peanut butter and banana.