We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, life is busy (and mornings are hard), and there isn’t always a lot of extra margin when you’re running out the door at 7 AM. Especially when you’re managing getting the kids to school, or pulling stuff together for work, or trying to get in a workout before sitting down at your desk for the day. Oh, and someone has to walk the dog, too.
In the craziness of weekday mornings, it might be all you can do to slam down a piece of toast, a microwaved cup of coffee, or a banana from the fruit bowl at the office. And when your breakfast is made up of simple carbs, you’re probably experiencing hunger, headaches, and cravings by 10am.
Even worse, you might end up skipping breakfast altogether sometimes—which, in case you’re wondering, only slows down your metabolism, causes blood sugar imbalance, and leaves you susceptible to uncontrollable cravings long before lunch time.
Moral of the story? If you’re going to get a quality breakfast in the morning, you might need to get on it the night before.
So, here are eight simple, make-ahead recipes that will help you squeeze in a healthy, nutritious, high-protein breakfast—even on the craziest of mornings.
Mix up a big batch of overnight oats at the beginning of the week, divide into mason jars, and enjoy easy (and filling!) breakfasts all night long. Delicious warm or cold.
We love this sweet-tart cherry pudding, but you can mix up the flavors and use whatever you have on hand. Try adding bananas and maple syrup, or pumpkin puree and cinnamon, or blueberries and ginger.
Make a pan of this flavorful, protein-packed hash on Sunday, and divide it into containers to store in the fridge. Then, you can pull out a single serving every morning...and breakfast is ready in just one microwave minute!
These high-protein, low-carb “muffins” are the perfect start for your weekday. Use whatever veggies you have on hand, and add cheese or bacon for an extra decadent version.
We love these parfaits with whole milk Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and crunchy granola. Cut back on the sweetener and use paleo, grain-free granola for a lighter option.
Need a taste of summertime? These smoothies are filled with the tropical flavors of mango, pineapple, and coconut. Bonus: tons of protein and nutrients, too.
You’ll get all the flavors of fall in this protein-packed shake. Add a handful of spinach or a scoop of greens powder for extra vitamins and nutrients.
Keep it simple with these high-protein snack boxes. You can always mix up the components of these boxes and use whatever you have in your fridge—try different fruits, veggies, cheeses, or dips!
With these simple recipes in your toolbox, you’ll never skip breakfast (and face the dreaded 10 AM crash) again.