Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But some mornings, you may find yourself overwhelmed, out of time and reaching for a breakfast bar while running out the door. Having a gourmet breakfast may not always be realistic during the workweek, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead and enjoy a delicious, well-balanced meal.
Just like any other meal, a healthy breakfast ideally involves the trio of macronutrients: complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Breakfast is also a great opportunity to consume at least one serving of fruits and one serving of vegetables right off the bat. See the chart below for examples of foods in each macronutrient category. Remember, some foods overlap into multiple categories!
Macronutrient Breakfast Examples |
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Complex Carbohydrates |
Protein |
Healthy Fats |
100% whole wheat breads |
Egg whites or whole eggs |
Whole eggs |
Oatmeal — old fashioned or steel cut |
Nuts or nut butters |
Nuts or nut butters |
Fruit |
Dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese |
Dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese |
Vegetables |
Turkey bacon, turkey sausage, lean ham |
Avocado |
Sprouted bread, Ezekiel bread |
Salmon lox |
Salmon lox, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, lean ham |
Here are some simple examples of balanced breakfasts:
Share with us what you plan on making for breakfast this week!
For more breakfast inspiration, check out these recipes that you can either make ahead of time or whip up in five minutes or less.
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