Grab-and-Go Breakfasts
As we know, breakfast is important at any age. And, studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school, have more energy and concentrate better. But sometimes, breakfast is skipped because of the whirlwind of a busy morning. The good news is, there are many nutritious and easy grab-and-go breakfasts for kids that can fit into any busy schedule. Browse this list of breakfast ideas that are easy to make and the kiddos will love to eat.
Tips For Healthy and Easy Grab-and-Go Breakfasts for Kids
Choosing healthy breakfast options can be a challenge, especially on a busy morning when everyone is getting ready for school or work. Before we get into our list of breakfast ideas, here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing an easy and nutritious morning meal:
- Keep it Simple: Your kitchen isn’t the Four Seasons, so don’t worry about cooking a breakfast buffet in the morning. A healthy muffin, quick egg or juice and toast can go a long way.
- Nutritional Balance is Key: According to the the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), keep in mind that nutritional balance is important, not just for one meal but for foods eaten throughout the day. Add fruit at breakfasts, and give vegetables with a hummus dip as an afternoon snack.
- Pack in Advance: Make to-go breakfast packs the night before to save time in the morning.
- Keeping Hunger Away: Protein and fiber with some healthy fat is the name of the game to stave off hunger and start the day right. If you have some time on the weekends or at night, consider making something protein-packed in advance. “Homemade nut butter made with seeds is a great choice when paired with an apple, rice cake or whole-grain toast,” said Lauren Braun Costello, a classically trained chef and cooking-show host. (You’ll read more about her later on!)
Grab-and-go Breakfasts for Kids
The Microwaved Egg
Did you know you don’t need to boil water to cook an egg? Just crack the egg, give it a scramble, and microwave it for about a minute. The result? A ready-to-eat omelet-style egg that gives your child energy to go!
Consider this Breakfast Hack
Speaking of eggs, check out Just Crack an Egg. It features a combination of prepared ingredients so parents can make a delicious breakfast in less than two minutes in the microwave.
Make Healthy Muffins In Advance
Try this easy banana-walnut maple muffin recipe on the weekend, and you’ll have breakfast prepared for the week. The muffins are not only delicious, but completely refined sugar-free. BONUS: They’re easy to stuff into a backpack on those days when everyone is running late!
Matzo Brei
This one might take a bit more work than the other grab-and-go breakfasts on this list, but it’s well worth preparing. It’s made with a simple mixture of matzo and beaten eggs, and can be garnished with something sweet or savory. This recipe is from Chef Lauren Braun Costello, mentioned earlier. It calls for cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, charoset, caramelized onions and toasted “everything” seasoning. Delicious!
French Toast Muffins (that aren’t messy)
This protein-packed muffin is filled with good fats and gluten and dairy free. Make a batch in advance for breakfasts on the go all week long for grab-and-go breakfasts. This recipe comes from Natasha Beck, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Organic Mommy. She may not be an actual chef, but Dr. Beck has some other pretty tasty recipes on her site, like homemade granola, coconut bliss balls and pumpkin waffles. Kids (and adults in your family) won’t even realize how nutritious these meals are!
Fruit
Fruit is packed with vitamins and other nutrition that kids need. But which kinds of fruits are easy to take on the go? Grapes, apple slices, melon chunks or any berries are always good ideas and easy to prepare in advance. Check out these tips from Harvard University for more ideas on how to choose, pack and prepare fruits and vegetables to-go for kids.
Breakfast Bars
It might not be the most ideal breakfast, but a breakfast bar is perfect when it comes to grab-and-go breakfasts to throw in a backpack or hand to a kid who missed the bus, overslept, or is just a picky eater. Just be sure to pick out a brand that isn’t packed with corn syrup or too many preservatives.
KIND makes bars that are healthy-ish for kids. Many are made with gluten-free oats and other super grains like millet and buckwheat. Be sure to read the ingredients list of each box for allergen and nutritional information.
Organic Yogurt
Check out the kids line from Stonyfield Organic for grab-and-go breakfasts. From yogurt pouches to tubes, cups and smoothies, they’re perfect for lunchboxes, as an after-school snack, or an easy and nutritious breakfast.
Protein Chips
Protein chips are a breakfast snack option. Wilde Chips come in a variety of flavors.
Cheese Bites
Another option for a protein snack that kids love are those tasty cheese bites in a bag, such as these from Whisps.
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