Easy, Healthy Weekday Breakfast Options

BREAKFAST and I have a complicated relationship.

For a long time, I never ate breakfast during the week. I used every excuse under the sun: I was too busy in the morning, I wasn’t hungry right when I woke up, I might as well save the calories for later in the day.

Then I learned about intermittent fasting, and I thought: “This is perfect. It totally fits into my eating philosophy and works with my lifestyle.” SO I would eat dinner after work and wouldn’t eat my first meal until lunchtime the next day. Nothing against intermittent fasting (I think it can totally work, and I had a great experience doing it), but I have grown to LOVE breakfast.

These days I need breakfast.

The reason for my complete 180 is simple – I tend to workout in the mornings, so I want to quickly refuel my body afterward (especially after an intense HIIT class!). The problem is, life still gets in the way / I’m not always as prepared as I would like, so I still end up skipping breakfast from time to time, despite my best intentions. I am really working on this because I truly believe breakfast is an important meal, especially if you’re a morning person/exercise in the morning like me! That’s why I am all about the EASY grab and go breakfast options for the weekdays. Between a couple go-to meals I can make in advance and grab on my way out the door, or options I can pick up on my way to the office, there are now zero excuses for me not to eat breakfast.

Why breakfast matters

Arguments in favor of breakfast and why it’s the most important meal of the day:

+ It gets your metabolism going.

+ Breakfast stabilizes blood sugar levels and prevents your body from going into holding onto fat in starvation mode.

+ Eating a satisfying and well balanced breakfast can help counter cravings and overeating later in the day.

+ Starting the day off on a healthy note encourages healthier choices throughout the day.

+ Breakfast can help improve focus and mental acuity – a must if you’re in school or have a long day of work ahead of you.

Easy breakfast options to make at home

+ Eggs. If you’re not vegan, eggs should be one of your go to sources of fuel and protein in the morning. In my opinion, eggs are basically a perfect food. One large egg packs 7 grams of protein and only 80 calories. Don’t skip the yolk, either – it’s full of heart healthy fats. They’re also easy on your wallet if you are trying to watch your budget. If I have time in the morning I like to make two soft scrambled eggs and eat them with toast and avocado. If I’m in a rush, I’ll make soft boiled eggs in advance and pack a couple to take with me to work. They make great afternoon snacks too and help fight any cravings for junk food you might have.

+ Oatmeal. Oatmeal for breakfast doesn’t have to be boring! I ate overnight oats for breakfast almost every single morning for over a year! Oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates to give your body the energy it needs to get going in the morning. If I’m eating at home, I’ll take the time to make steel cut oats with almond milk over the stove and mix in almond butter and berries for a “healthy PB&J oatmeal.” If you need something faster, make overnight oats! These can be made the night before and are a perfect grab and go option.

Easy Overnight Oats:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 3/4 – 1 cup milk (I prefer almond milk)

Mix together and keep in a covered container in fridge overnight. In the morning, add whatever mix-ins you like – nut butters, banana, fresh or frozen berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, greek yogurt, any sweetener you prefer. The combinations are endless!

+ Smoothies – the definition of a grab and go breakfast. If you’re super pressed for time, you can even freeze Ziploc bags with ingredients for a single smoothie. Then blend them in the morning before you head out of the house. I make different kinds of smoothies depending on my own, but here is one of my go-to protein smoothies that I love to make after an early morning workout.

+ Toast – I keep a loaf of Ezekiel bread in the freezer at home and at my office so I can make toast whenever the mood strikes. If I’m feeling savory, I’ll make my own avocado toast with sea salt, lemon juice, and chili flakes. When I want something sweet, I go for almond butter with banana and honey OR almond butter and natural jam. It never gets old!

Easy breakfast options to pick up

If you’re REALLY short on time or just do not feel like making breakfast (this happens at least 1x a week), a quick trip to the grocery store or your local Starbucks can make your morning. Some of my favorite picks:

+ Individual servings of Greek Yogurt

+ Pre-made juice or smoothies

+ Berries

+ Banana or apple with almond butter

+ Sous vide egg bites at Starbucks

+ Starbucks oatmeal

+ Starbucks egg white breakfast sandwiches and wraps (sometimes I’ll remove half the bread if I’m not feeling the carbs)

Luckily in LA, there are so many easy + healthy options I can pick up on my way to the office! My favorites are Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Earthbar, but you can never go wrong with Starbucks! (+ you can find Starbucks just about anywhere in the world).

So there you have it – absolutely zero reasons to skip breakfast! You can start your day off on the right foot without spending tons of time in the kitchen. Making breakfast a priority can be super easy – it just takes a little preparation and planning ahead! What are your favorite easy + healthy breakfasts?