Eight Easy Back-To-School Breakfast Ideas
It’s hard to believe August is already coming to an end! For school-age kids and their families, the end of August means the beginning of a new school year. It can be hard to get back into the swing of a school schedule, especially when it comes to getting breakfast in your kiddos before or as they head out the door. In today’s post, I’ll share what makes up a balanced breakfast as well as 8 breakfast ideas to make going back to school a little easier.
I consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, especially for growing kids. Studies show that kids who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school; this makes sense as we need food to fuel our bodies and brains.
So, what makes a breakfast balanced? In order to feel satisfied and energized, a balanced breakfast should contain:
Protein - egg, cheese, nut or seed butter, Greek yogurt, milk
Fat - avocado, egg, cheese, nut or seed butter, oil or butter
Fiber - oatmeal, whole grain bread, fruit
A breakfast that is lacking in protein, fat, or fiber will not sustain most kids for very long. Aim to include at least a little bit of each to keep them full until lunchtime.
1. Peanut butter + sliced banana on whole grain toast
I think of this as the ultimate quick breakfast. You can even make it into a sandwich if you need to take it with you. If you or your kids have peanut allergies, try almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. You can even use sliced strawberries or apple in place of banana.
2. Egg muffin + mandarin oranges
If you have time to meal prep on the weekends, egg muffins are the perfect thing to prepare in advance. Before school, just heat them up in the microwave, pair with some fruit, and you’re good to go!
3. Boiled eggs + apple
Boiled eggs are another easy meal prep option that actually takes very little prep time and work. Pair boiled eggs with a piece of fruit and you’re on your way!
4. Baked oatmeal
Meal prepping baked oatmeal cups or in casserole form is another way to reduce the time it takes to prepare breakfast in the mornings before school. Some of my favorite recipes are:
5. Breakfast burrito
Breakfast burritos are something that almost any kid will like, even if they aren’t a fan of breakfast foods. The good news with breakfast burritos is that they don’t even have to contain breakfast foods! Try bean and cheese burritos or you can even add chicken and veggies. Try making a large batch of breakfast burritos at one time and freezing them to make morning meals easier.
6. Smoothie
I personally like smoothies year-round, even when it’s cold outside. For kids that don’t enjoy eating breakfast or just don’t have a lot of time, smoothies can be a great option. Just be sure they aren’t full of only fruit and add protein and fat, such as nut butter, seeds, or Greek yogurt. Some smoothie recipes you and your kids may enjoy are:
7. Whole grain pancakes or waffles with almond butter and blueberries
Pancakes and waffles may seem like a less healthy breakfast option, but make them whole grain and pair them with some protein, like almond or peanut butter and you have yourself a balanced breakfast. Look for frozen varieties made with whole grain flour or make your own whole grain pancakes or waffles and freeze them, then just pop them in the toaster on busy school mornings.
8. Greek yogurt + berries + whole grain cereal
Cereal with milk as a breakfast is typically lower in protein, but if you can swap milk for Greek yogurt, you’ll drastically increase the filling protein of your kid’s breakfast. Try topping Greek yogurt with fruit and lower sugar cereal like Cheerios or Life.
As you can see, pairing protein, fat, and fiber together creates a balanced breakfast. These are my favorite easy breakfast options, but I’d love for you to share yours in the comments below!
