Time Saver: Grab-and-Go Breakfast Ideas

Mornings are busy no matter what your life requires—a long commute, getting kids off to school, an early start at a busy job. It’s tempting to skip breakfast or let that extra-large coffee be the stand-in for a healthy morning meal. But the busier and more frazzled we are, the more we need a good start to the day.

Why is breakfast so important? It kick starts your metabolism, boosts brain power, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps you replenish your energy stores for the day. Not to mention a delicious breakfast just hits the spot and feels like self-care.

So here’s how to make breakfast happen every day, even if you’re short on time. Just pick your favorite category, practice a few options, and create a list of go-to options you can whip up in a hurry and take on the run.

Smoothies

Just three or four ingredients a 30-second whirl in the blender and you’re out the door with a healthy breakfast in hand. Here’s a great list of easy combinations. Be sure to keep a supply of travel cups washed and ready. If you don’t want to invest in a pricey blender, there are plenty of mini blenders just for smoothies that let you blend in a travel cup, pop a lid on and go.

Parfaits

Layer up your favorite yogurt, oatmeal, and fruit in a to-go container or mason jar, and top with seeds, nuts, or granola.

Hot cereal

Whole grains like oatmeal or quinoa provide long-lasting energy and a boost of protein. A DIY hot oatmeal cup is a fast, cheap, and super-easy fuel source.

Puddings

Rice or chia seeds soaked with milk and a touch of sweetener make wonderful, creamy breakfast puddings. Make recipes like these overnight so they’re ready to go in the morning.

Bagel or English muffin sandwiches

After a quick trip to the toaster, layer combos like these with scrambled or hard boiled egg (you can prepare these once a week, in advance, and store in the fridge), and avocado, tomato, ham, bacon.

Breakfast burritos

Beans, scrambled eggs, diced potatoes, any kind of leftovers—you can toss all of these in a skillet for the week, store them in a sealed container in the fridge, and scoop them out onto a large flour tortilla. Just fold (here’s a great video on how to fill and fold so you don’t have spills) and tuck into a container, or wrap in foil and hit the road.

Waffle sandwiches

Peanut butter and banana, strawberries and Nutella—pile on a spread, a fruit, then top with another waffle to keep it neat. Slide into a paper sandwich bag to go.

Shopping Tip

Pick two or three breakfasts you love and put them on repeat. Having a few favorites makes it easier to remember and shop for ingredients so you’ll always have them on hand.