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The Most Important Meal: Make it Count for Your Diet

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day for dieters and non-dieters alike. Start your morning off right with one of these nine healthy breakfast ideas.

Breakfast foods have the potential to start your day off right or blow your diet completely. If you do like I used to and eat sweets for breakfast, that’s not so good. However, if you make wise choices, you can start your day with a bang, get some great nutrients in your body, and set yourself up for a whole day of healthy eating.

I’ve put together a list of nine low calorie, great for your diet breakfast options. Use this list as a springboard for your culinary creativity.

1. Basic Green Smoothie

Green smoothie recipes are all over the Internet. Here is a basic recipe you can start with. Be warned though. If you have children, they might gasp in horror at the color. Place one banana, 1/2 cup of apples or berries, 2 cups of leafy greens, and some water in a blender. Mix until combined. I recommend you drink the smoothie right away because it becomes unappetizing if you let it sit too long.

2. Cowboy Eggs

I did not know how to make omelets for the longest time so instead I made a dish I called cowboy eggs. Beat 2 eggs in a small mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons each of chopped green peppers, chopped red peppers, and an onion. Cook the egg mixture in a cast iron or nonstick skillet until done.

3. Overnight Oats

If you love steel cut oats but don’t have time to let them cook for 30 to 45 minutes, overnight oats are your solution. Combine 1 cup steel cut oats, 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit), 4 cups of liquid (milk, almond milk, or water), and a dash of vanilla in your slow cooker. Cook overnight on low for 6 to 8 hours.

4. Good for You Egg Muffins

Although I used to love McDonald’s Egg McMuffins, I gave them up when I switched my diet. An easy way to get the taste without the calories is to toast a whole wheat English muffin, scramble an egg or two, and place the eggs between the two muffin halves. It’s a great on-the-go breakfast.

5. Greek Yogurt with Add-Ins

A quick breakfast that takes little thought (which might be good for you in the morning before you fully wake up) is to mix plain Greek yogurt with one of the following add-ins:

– Berries

– Dried Fruit

– Slivered Almonds

– Dark Chocolate Chips

– Honey

– Sunflower Seeds

6. Last Night’s Leftovers

Believe it or not, there is no rule stating you have to eat traditional breakfast foods for breakfast. I often heat up a bit of leftovers from the night before and have them for breakfast.

7. Egg and Avocado Wrap

Because I’m not a fan of avocado by itself, I like to add it to other foods. Lay a whole wheat tortilla on a plate. Add 1/4 of a thinly sliced avocado to the tortilla. Scramble an egg or several egg whites in a skillet. Add the egg mixture to the avocado. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, roll up the wrap and enjoy.

8. Good Morning Stuffed Peppers

I reserve breakfasts like this for when I have time to cook a whole breakfast. For me, that’s usually on the weekends. Cut the top off the number of peppers you will be making. Get whatever color peppers you like.

Cook a bit of onion, one chopped tomato, and one garlic clove in water or olive oil until they are soft. Remove from the heat. Add 1 beaten egg per pepper to the vegetable mixture. Carefully pour the mixture into the waiting pepper. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

9. Greek Yogurt Protein Pudding

This pudding is one you’ve got to prepare the night before for best taste. Mix 8 ounces of plain Greek yogurt, one scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder, and 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder together. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy in the morning.