5 Healthy and High-Protein Breakfasts to Power Your Day
We’ve all been there; the alarm clock didn’t go off, kids won’t get out of bed, and you’ve got a last-minute 9 a.m. presentation. Mornings can be stressful and making time to eat breakfast on weekdays can be a serious challenge. But these are the times when it’s important not to skip breakfast or rely on sugary cereals and granola bars. Instead, try to eat a nutritious and high-protein breakfast in the morning.
There are many benefits of a healthy breakfast filled with protein. Protein is one of three macronutrients that we all need in large quantities, and eating protein in the morning helps you feel fuller and more satisfied throughout the day compared to carb-heavy options. Protein can also help boost your metabolism, which is great for weight management, and swapping out refined carbs for protein can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Let’s help you make sure that the most important meal of the day doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. Here are five simple but protein-forward breakfast ideas to prepare either the night before you expect a busy morning or on the morning of, when you have only a few things on hand.
1. Apples & Nut Butter
Who says this typical afternoon snack is just for kids? One tablespoon of any nut butter of your choice (almond, sunflower seed, cashew, or peanut butter) and one medium apple will give you 4 grams of protein at less than 200 calories. Have a few tablespoons of your favorite nut butter with apple slices for a quick but protein-forward breakfast. You can also try adding granola for a little extra crunch and staying power.
2. Shaklee 180® Meal-in-a-Bar
How many of us reach for a bar when we’re running out the door? But what’s actually in those bars? Shaklee 180 Meal-in-a-Bar stands out from the rest. Delicious and convenient, each bar is packed with 18–20 grams of protein and 6–7 grams of fiber to keep you feeling full, along with vitamins, minerals, non-GMO soy protein, and no added artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives added. Shaklee 180 Meal-in-a-Bar comes in three flavors and is powered by the amino acid leucine to help you retain lean muscle while you lose weight.†
3. Overnight Oats
An easy-to-prep breakfast! All you have to do is throw all your overnight oatmeal ingredients into a meal-prep container, mix, and let stand for at least two hours. Here are a few of our favorite recipes. Oats are great because they’re nutrient dense and contain about 5 grams of protein per half-cup serving. Make a couple of different kinds of overnight oats and keep them in the fridge for an easy breakfast for the week that anyone in the family can grab. You can also give your overnights a little protein boost by adding a scoop or two of Life Shake™ to the mix.
4. Life Shake™
Life Shake is a quick and easy way to get 20 grams of non-GMO protein, 6 grams of dietary fiber, and zero added sugar with your breakfast. Made with pea protein plus a proprietary blend of organic chia and organic pumpkin protein, Life Shake supports energy, satiety, and healthy weight while providing the essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health. In the morning blend two scoops of Life Shake with your milk of choice or incorporate two scoops into your favorite smoothie recipe. The choice is yours!
5. Chia Breakfast Pudding
Rich in micronutrients, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and protein, chia seed pudding is the ideal breakfast addition. All you have to do is combine two tablespoons of chia seeds, half a cup of your chosen milk option, and a teaspoon of your favorite all-natural sweetener in a meal-prep container and let stand in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain about 6 grams of protein, but if you want more, you can try doubling the recipe or adding a scoop of Life Shake to your chia seed pudding.
Start your morning the right way.
You’ve heard it a million times. Breakfast is such an important meal. Think of breakfast as an opportunity to celebrate the arrival of a new day, even when you’re busy. When you start your day off with a healthy, protein-filled breakfast, you are setting yourself up to continue making healthy choices throughout the rest of the day. All it takes is a little awareness and planning. You got this!
†As part of the Shaklee 180 Program. Clinical study participants replaced two meals with Shaklee Life Shakes daily, reduced their caloric intake, and followed a 45-minute exercise program twice weekly. See full details of Life Shake clinical studies at healthresource.shaklee.com.
