Healthy Breakfast before School

[TxRabbit]

My DS eats a take on a grilled cheese sandwich:

Use whole wheat bread brushed lightly with olive oil. Cheese of course. But add two egg whites inbetween the chesse on the bread. I make the egg whites like an over hard egg but take out the yolks.

You could make the egg whites in advance. The sandwich cooks fast in the morning and is easy to take on the road if necessary. Strawberries are one of the few fruits DS loves, so I try to have those on hand and have a serving in the morning too.

I like it because it is heavy on fiber (bread & strawberries) and has a nice bit of fat and protein for a long lasting fill that doesn't spike blood sugar.

This year I was thinking about trying to add some other lean protein for variety from the egg.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We like parfaits at our house. Slice up some fruit - usually berries and bananas- and top with lowfat vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. I would like to find a way to increase protein, though, both for my daughter and myself! This holds me until lunch much better than cereal, though.

 

[TxRabbit]

We like parfaits at our house. Slice up some fruit - usually berries and bananas- and top with lowfat vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. I would like to find a way to increase protein, though, both for my daughter and myself! This holds me until lunch much better than cereal, though.

If you google quinoa granola, you can find many recipes and ideas for using quinoa in yogurt toppings, etc. Quinoa is a seed that is high in protein and includes all 9 essential amino acids. It would be a simple way to tweak what already works for you and still increase protein.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I just make them up, wrap them in plastic wrap, then put them all in a big ziploc bag.

Thank you. I never thought of freezing them. You are brilliant. lol.

 

[java]

oh on the grilled cheese- our breakfast grilled cheese is made on Cinnamon Raisin Bread. mmm

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

We like parfaits at our house. Slice up some fruit - usually berries and bananas- and top with lowfat vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. I would like to find a way to increase protein, though, both for my daughter and myself! This holds me until lunch much better than cereal, though.

You could switch over to greek yogurt to increase the protein.

 

[mhsjax]

I agree with any type of protein. I would suggest that if you try Greek yogurt that you buy a small container of it. I love yogurt and I have tried many types of greek. I know it is the latest thing, but to me it tastes like throw up smells, I am sorry but that is the nastiest stuff I have ever put in my mouth.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you google quinoa granola, you can find many recipes and ideas for using quinoa in yogurt toppings, etc. Quinoa is a seed that is high in protein and includes all 9 essential amino acids. It would be a simple way to tweak what already works for you and still increase protein.

oooh, nice....


For most of my teen years, my mom made a nice smoothie of all sorts of fruits, possibly a bit of brewer's yeast, and probably milk (soy milk was too expensive and none of us had started thinking about dairy being not-as-healthy-as-the-dairy-council-would-like-us-to-think yet). Sure, you need to drink it when you *first* wake up to give your belly time to deal with it before getting on a bus or into your first class, but wow was it filling. Oh, I'm certain she put wheat germ (yum, still love that stuff!) into it as well.


If your'e concerned about calcium, go *anywhere* else but dairy for that. The proteins in dairy products TAKE more calcium from the body than the products contain. (see above about the dairy council) I'm addicted to cow's milk (despite not being a calf), but I never ever think of it as being useful in terms of calcium.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

We like smoothies too. DD13 favorite is Chocolate instant breakfast blended with vanillia yogurt and a banana. You could put in a little peanut butter for protein too. She also likes yogurt bananna split. She also will eat a whole wheat bagel with a little peanut butter and jelly or some cream cheese and a sprinle of cinnamon sugar. Some times we'll make whole grain french toast sticks.

 

[Gigi22]

One of the non-breakfast breakfast foods, but a hugely popular one--a slice of leftover pizza, or English muffin/small pita pizza.

 

[Jaklackus]

I agree with any type of protein. I would suggest that if you try Greek yogurt that you buy a small container of it. I love yogurt and I have tried many types of greek. I know it is the latest thing, but to me it tastes like throw up smells, I am sorry but that is the nastiest stuff I have ever put in my mouth.

It is an acquired taste lol...I forced myself to switch for the extra protein and to get away from the sugar in the Yoplait type of yogurts. I add frozen mixed berries and honey...now I can't eat the Dannons and Yoplaits because they are too sweet.

 

[southern_redhead]

My DD is gong into 5th grade and we are having trouble agreeing that breakfast must be eaten. I am looking for somthing healthy and quick she can eat before she catches the bus. I am willing to do prep work on the weekends or night before but do not have much time in the mornings. School starts in 10 days, yuck!

Smoothies, as suggested, are good. So are ... milkshakes. There, I said it LOL I had trouble eating enough when I was in middle school and my mom REALLY wanted me to have a breakfast before she sent me off. She used to blend whole milk and some SlimFast (if you use this in addition to eating regularly you will actually add calories) and an ice cube for me each morning. Just an idea, maybe she won't turn her nose up at a chocolate milkshake. My kids will eat cold cereal or pancakes. Sometimes muffins. That is about it. At 6 am they just don't want to eat and I can't blame them LOL

I wish we had 10 more days!! We start back Thursday Wonder what my principal would say if I used a sick day on the first day back? Ha ha!

 

[skip323]

Thanks for posting this op as I have these problems with dd going into 6th grade. The things I have done:

Smoothie with yogurt fruit and ice...sometimes add tofu or flaxseed or wheat germ

Peanut butter crackers (not the best but at least there is some protein)

Apple and peanut butter (often with cubes of cheese and some fruit)

She will do the eggo frozen chocolate chip pancakes...not great but at least she eats and I pair that with milk (only chocolate...neither of my dd's drink milk...dh and I don't either so what can I say?)

dd does not like yogurt so sneaking it into smoothies is my only option.

Slice of bread with peanut butter. Cinnamon toast (usually with apple and peanut butter on the side)

I imagine...based on pp suggestions that I could get away with a regular grilled cheese sandwich! She loves those!

Making certain there is some protein first thing in the am is a priority in giving the girls breakfast.

Have fun with the beginning of the school year! DD's start 2 weeks from tomorrow...I go back today (why do I not ever finish my summer projects in time??)!

 

[TxRabbit]

One of the non-breakfast breakfast foods, but a hugely popular one--a slice of leftover pizza, or English muffin/small pita pizza.

We do this! It's one of the perks of pizza in the house.

 

[kinntj]

I like to make breakfast burritos and put them in the freezer. You can pull them out one at a time, heat in the microwave and go!

I like to make them with egg, cheese and ham or sausage, but you could put anything in them.

My DD loves them, but I never considered freezing. How awesome!

Thanks for the tip!

 

[carone0318]

My dd is not a big breakfast eater, but always has something before heading out the door.

I think her favorite is Kefir. Kefir is like a smoothie type drink, pre-made. It's organic, high in calcium and also high in protein. It comes in several flavors, her favorite is probably peach, but you can also get blueberry, strawberry, raspberry among others.

Sometimes she will have a glass of Kefir along with a Z Bar, which is a Clif Bar for kids - high in protein. Dd is a competitive gymnast who puts in quite a few hours per week in her sport and I'm always looking for high protein snacks and meals to help sustain her through her workouts.

 

[ah1126]

My DD loves them, but I never considered freezing. How awesome!

Thanks for the tip!

I got the idea from a friend. I like to make a bunch at a time so I don't have to make them all the time. I also make lunch ones. Chicken and cheese, or beef, rice and cheese!

 

[bettymae1121]

Does she like eggs? i hard-boil a dozen eggs at a time and put them in the fridge, then in the morning I can have an egg and some fruit. Quick and easy!

Ditto!

Or if you think eggs are too fattening (they are fine for kids/teens though) you could chop up some healthy veggies ahead of time and do an egg-better omlette. With the filling prepared in advance you can cook an omlette in the same amount of time it takes to make toast. Just pour out a 1/4 cup (1 egg) or 1/2 cup (2 eggs) worth of egg-beaters in a pre-heat pam (use butter or non-stick spray of course) and add in desired filling. cook through, fold, and serve!

 

[jsmith]

eggs fattening? at about 70 calories and packed with protien-and iron in the yolks eggs are one of the most nutritionally valuable foods out there.

 

[bettymae1121]

eggs fattening? at about 70 calories and packed with protien-and iron in the yolks eggs are one of the most nutritionally valuable foods out there.

I know that and you know that, but a lot of people still have misconceptions about eggs. So just in case people are still worried about the fat content, egg whites (or egg beaters) are still good option.