Baby Fit

Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Most Important Meal of the Day
-- By Liz Noelcke, Staff Writer

It’s been said time and time again just how important it is to eat breakfast every morning in order to start the day off right. This really is true! Ten minutes of munching can sustain you for hours on end. Too busy? Don’t have time? Make time! You don’t want to be weak, lethargic, or nauseated throughout the day, which is exactly what can happen without the right start. Your baby needs the jump-start just as much as your own body is craving some fuel.

Breakfast eaters have a much higher intake of vitamins and minerals than those who skip this meal. This is because non-breakfast eaters are more apt to snack throughout the day, which is certainly not a bad thing, but it all to often is on unhealthy food. Breakfast foods are great at providing a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as fiber and folic acid. If you think you are doing yourself a favor to avoid a lot of that pregnancy weight gain by skipping the calories at breakfast, think again. Your body will struggle to make it to lunch time.

Here are some relatively simple and healthy ideas. If you aren’t getting enough nutrients, your baby will actually tap your stored resources. So, make what you eat count!

• Try preparing a healthy casserole the night before. When you wake up, just pop it in the oven and it will be ready to go when you are. Make things easier on yourself in the morning.
• Try complex carbohydrates, including whole wheat toast and bagels. You can spread some peanut butter and raisins on top of either for some more flavor, and the energy from them will last much longer than a quick sugary treat you might otherwise eat.
• Try baking a batch of bran muffins early in the week. These can be grabbed as you head out the door. Don’t have much skill in the kitchen? Check out a local bakery and see if they have any healthy muffins.

• Waffles are filling in the morning, but who has time to stand around in the kitchen to make a batch? Make some for Sunday morning and freeze the leftovers. You can pop these in the toaster for a homemade breakfast. Still don’t have time for this? Grocery stores sell whole grain frozen waffles if you can’t have the real deal.
• Have you ever tried including a whole wheat tortilla in your breakfast? Wrap up some scrambled eggs or leftover roast chicken and cheese, grab an apple and you’re on your way.
• Don’t forget cold cereal. We’re not talking about those covered with sugar, but the healthy variety. Items such as Wheaties and Cheerios are always good to go with.
• Eat those eggs! They are full of iron, protein, and all kinds of other good nutrients that your baby can use to grow. Omelets with lots of veggies are quick and tasty.
• Try making a shake or a smoothie. You can blend fruit and yogurt quickly and then drink it in the car. Consider bringing along a small bag of finger foods, like a mixture of granola and grapes.