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Healthy Breakfast Foods, Recipes, and Tips for Eating Out
How to start your day with a nutrient-rich meal By Malia Frey Malia Frey Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research.
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Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Melissa Rifkin, ...
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Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN Medically reviewed by
Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN Melissa Rifkin is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience working in the clinical setting.
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Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Maximilian Stock Ltd. / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is a Healthy Breakfast Eating vs. Skipping Breakfast Healthy Breakfast Food Choices Breakfast Foods to Limit or Avoid Healthy Breakfast Recipes and Ideas Healthier Fast Food Breakfasts Do you start your day with healthy breakfast foods?
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Isabella Johnson 4 minutes ago
Or do you tend to load up on convenient, processed foods for a quick jolt of energy? The best breakf...
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Here are a few smart choices for your morning meal, whether at home or on the go.
What ...
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Charlotte Lee Member
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Or do you tend to load up on convenient, processed foods for a quick jolt of energy? The best breakfast foods provide both quick energy and quality nutrition.
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Oliver Taylor 10 minutes ago
Here are a few smart choices for your morning meal, whether at home or on the go.
What ...
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Harper Kim 2 minutes ago
If you're trying to lose weight, a smaller breakfast may be appropriate. If breakfast is usuall...
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Here are a few smart choices for your morning meal, whether at home or on the go.
What Is a Healthy Breakfast A well-balanced, healthy breakfast contains four things: healthy carbohydrates for energy, enough fiber to help you feel full, some protein to assist with muscle growth and maintenance, and healthy fats for satiety. This combination provides a good start to the day. As far as how many calories to consume, consider your eating habits as well as your health goals.
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If you're trying to lose weight, a smaller breakfast may be appropriate. If breakfast is usually your biggest meal of the day, you may want to allot more of your daily caloric intake to this meal to help your body get the nutrients it needs. Eating Breakfast vs Skipping Breakfast Research has found that starting your day with food offers many benefits.
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Scarlett Brown Member
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For example, one study compared breakfast-skippers with those who consumed a ready-to-eat-cereal. It found that those who skipped breakfast were more likely to: Be overweight or obese
Carry a higher level of abdominal fat
Have high blood pressure
Have high total and (low-density lipoprotein) LDL cholesterol levels Other studies have looked at the effect of eating breakfast on adolescents.
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One noted that teens who regularly consumed breakfast had a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitnes...
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It also includes people taking morning medications that are recommended to be taken with food. Pros ...
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One noted that teens who regularly consumed breakfast had a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness and healthier cardiovascular profile than breakfast-skippers, with these benefits being more prominent in males. Breakfast may be an even more important meal for certain people. This includes individuals with diabetes as breakfast assists with greater glucose stability throughout the day.
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Zoe Mueller 3 minutes ago
It also includes people taking morning medications that are recommended to be taken with food. Pros ...
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Choosing the right foods also helps to curb late morning cravings, prevent mindless eating, and impr...
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It also includes people taking morning medications that are recommended to be taken with food. Pros and Cons of Skipping Breakfast
Healthy Breakfast Food Choices Building your morning meal around healthy breakfast foods can give your body the nutrients it needs to function at optimal levels.
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Choosing the right foods also helps to curb late morning cravings, prevent mindless eating, and impr...
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Choosing the right foods also helps to curb late morning cravings, prevent mindless eating, and improve portion control throughout the day. When going to the grocery store to pick up the food you need for the week, here are a few foods to add to your list so you have what you need to make a healthy breakfast: Non-fat plain Greek yogurt
Eggs or egg whites
Steel-cut oats or plain oatmeal
Low-fat turkey breakfast sausage
Lean ground turkey
Skim or low-fat milk
Whole-grain bread and cereals
Fruit (seasonal berries, bananas, apples, melon)
Fresh salsa
Spinach
Avocado With these ingredients, you can prepare a nutritious breakfast in advance and keep a week's worth of healthy breakfasts in the refrigerator.
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Amelia Singh 34 minutes ago
That way, meal preparation takes only 5 to 10 minutes each morning. Breakfast Foods to Limit or Avoi...
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This can increase the temptation to stop at the vending machine or convenience store for junk food. ...
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That way, meal preparation takes only 5 to 10 minutes each morning. Breakfast Foods to Limit or Avoid Many traditional breakfast foods contain added sugar and are high in calories but low in nutrients. While they might be easy to grab and go, they often leave you feeling hungry within an hour or so.
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This can increase the temptation to stop at the vending machine or convenience store for junk food. ...
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Here are a few breakfast recipes that offer a balanced first meal of the day: 9 Healthy Breakfasts U...
This can increase the temptation to stop at the vending machine or convenience store for junk food. Foods that fall into this category and, therefore, may be best if limited or avoided at breakfast include: Sugary cereals (looks for brands with 5 grams or less of sugar)
Bagels
Pastries and other sweet baked goods
Fruit juice
Flavored coffee creamers (even the fat-free varieties)
Breakfast bars
Single-serving flavored oatmeal packets
Some frozen breakfast sandwiches
Healthy At-Home Breakfast Recipes and Ideas Preparing your breakfast at home allows you to control the ingredients and the nutrients in your meal.
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Here are a few breakfast recipes that offer a balanced first meal of the day: 9 Healthy Breakfasts U...
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Here are a few breakfast recipes that offer a balanced first meal of the day: 9 Healthy Breakfasts Under 500 Calories
Favorite Quick and Easy 300-Calorie Breakfast Healthy Morning Smoothie Recipes
How to Make a Low-Calorie Omelet
Make-at-Home Healthy Egg McMuffin-Style Sandwich Even if you don't follow a recipe, you can prepare a healthy breakfast with very little fuss. For example, protein-rich plain Greek yogurt is delicious with a half cup of blueberries. Or throw some crumbled turkey sausage and a handful of diced red pepper into scrambled egg whites for a spicy morning meal.
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Also, consider ways you can make your homecooked breakfast healthier. A non-stick skillet can reduce...
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Also, consider ways you can make your homecooked breakfast healthier. A non-stick skillet can reduce the need to use oil or butter when you scramble or fry eggs.
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You can also use olive oil to sauté flavorful onions or shallots to add to your omelets for added n...
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You can also use olive oil to sauté flavorful onions or shallots to add to your omelets for added nutritional value. To make your morning meals easier, prep them in advance. If you like oatmeal, make a big pot of oats just once during the week.
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Then portion it into single-serving containers to keep in the refrigerator and heat in the microwave...
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If your only choice is to visit a fast-food joint, we offer a guide to finding a healthy breakfast s...
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Then portion it into single-serving containers to keep in the refrigerator and heat in the microwave each morning. Tips for a Healthier Fast Food Breakfast If you're caught hunting for breakfast on the road, you have a few options. Many restaurants offer fresh fruit, oatmeal, or Greek Yogurt on their menus.
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If your only choice is to visit a fast-food joint, we offer a guide to finding a healthy breakfast sandwich. We also provide some of the healthiest options on the menu at a few different places that are common breakfast stops, including: Dunkin' Donuts Starbucks
Jamba Juice
Panera Bread When eating fast food for breakfast, look for items that are fresh as opposed to being frozen and deep-fried.
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And if you do decide to order a less-healthier choice, stick to smaller meals (instead of large or s...
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Eating healthy on the go is also possible, as long as you know what to look for. 6 Sources Verywell ...
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And if you do decide to order a less-healthier choice, stick to smaller meals (instead of large or super-sizes) to help keep the fat and calorie intake lower. A Word From Verywell With just a little bit of planning, it's easy to make or grab a healthy breakfast that is high in nutrients. If you eat at home, keeping your pantry and refrigerator stocked with healthy breakfast foods is a great start.
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Eating healthy on the go is also possible, as long as you know what to look for. 6 Sources Verywell ...
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Eating healthy on the go is also possible, as long as you know what to look for. 6 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Kranz S, Brauchla M, Campbell WW, Mattes RD, Schwichtenberg AJ. High-Protein and High-Dietary Fiber Breakfasts Result in Equal Feelings of Fullness and Better Diet Quality in Low-Income Preschoolers Compared with Their Usual Breakfast.
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J Nutr. 2017;147(3):445-452.
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doi:10.3945/jn.116.234153 Deshmukh-Taskar P, Nicklas T, Radcliffe J, O'Neil C, Liu Y. The re...
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Public Health Nutr. 2013;16(11):2073-82....
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doi:10.3945/jn.116.234153 Deshmukh-Taskar P, Nicklas T, Radcliffe J, O'Neil C, Liu Y. The relationship of breakfast skipping and type of breakfast consumed with overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, other cardiometabolic risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in young adults. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): 1999-2006.
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Public Health Nutr. 2013;16(11):2073-82.
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doi:10.1017/S1368980012004296 Hallstrom L, Labayen I, Ruiz J, et al. Breakfast consumption and CVD r...
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doi:10.1017/S1368980012004296 Hallstrom L, Labayen I, Ruiz J, et al. Breakfast consumption and CVD risk factors in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study. Public Health Nutr.
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Influences of breakfast on clock gene expression and postprandial glycemia in healthy individuals an...
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Optimising foods for satiety. Trends Food Sci Tech. 2015;41(2):149-160.
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doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2014.10.007. Chandler-Laney PC, Morrison SA, Goree LL, et al. Return of hunger following a relatively high carbohydrate breakfast is associated with earlier recorded glucose peak and nadir. Appetite.
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Healthy Breakfast Foods, Recipes, and Tips for Eating Out Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Managem...