The Most Important Meal
Sure, you’re in a mad dash in the mornings. But, as they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In fact, a new study from the Toronto Foundation for Student Success reports that those who ate breakfast had better grades and were more likely to graduate. They also have less incidence of diabetes, lower risk of developing high cholesterol and lower chances of becoming obese. Sold? These quick-fix meals will make that a.m. rush easier.
French Toast
We know the photo looks decadent but your school-day version of French toast doesn't have to be doused in syrup! Got stale bread? Then try this simple French toast recipe from Phyllis Grant, the culinary mama behind the foodie blog Dash and Bella, named after her two kids. Whisk 6 eggs, 4 cups milk, 2 tablespoons orange juice, a bit of zest, a touch of vanilla and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Pour over 16 to 20 slices of bread. Soak overnight, then bake in the a.m. at 350 for 25 minutes while everyone gets dressed. Finish it off with a quick broil to crisp it up.
Oatmeal Made Easy
The old standby. But there’s nothing quicker and more nutritious than oatmeal. And we don’t mean instant. Debbie Koenig, mom of Harry, 6, and author of Parents Need to Eat Too, suggests going slow for a classic breakfast made painless. “You can’t make a quicker breakfast than one that’s ready when you wake up,” says Koenig. “Cook steel-cut oats overnight in the slow cooker, and all you have to do in the morning is serve.” As Koenig points out, 60 seconds of work the night before yields a blissful breakfast: 3 cups of water, 1 cup of steel-cut oats and a pinch of salt makes a meal for two adults and a kid. And the awesome thing about oatmeal? It’s super-easy to customize. Add fruit, brown sugar, cinnamon, preserves or whatever you want!
Fruit Is Fun
Fruit is a quick, natural energy booster in the a.m. But if your kids won’t gobble it down whole, another option is to blend it with yogurt for a thick and quick smoothie. “My boys love smoothies and will often have a mango one—mango slices and yogurt blended together—and a boiled egg for breakfast,” says Modern Spice author—and mom of two—Monica Bhide. You can use whatever fruit is in season, or go frozen if your kid prefers a particular fruit.
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Go Green
Kale for breakfast? Your kid won’t even know. “My kid goes nuts for anything green, except for food,” says Koenig. “But when I toss some frozen kale or spinach into this green smoothie he sucks it down and asks for more.” Blend 4 ounces of fat-free, fruit-flavored yogurt (Koenig suggests strawberry) with 3/4 cup chopped greens, like kale or spinach, 1/2 cup of 1 percent milk, a banana and 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks.
That's a Wrap
“Kids love food all wrapped up in a neat little package,” says Annabel Karmel, kids’ cooking guru and author of Top 100 Meals in Minutes and The Fussy Eaters' Recipe Book. “And that means a simple breakfast wrap is always a smash.” Her easy take: melt 2 teaspoons butter in a small pan. Beat 2 eggs with a tablespoon of milk and a touch of salt and pepper. Add to the pan, stirring over low heat until scrambled. “You can add pretty much anything to it at this point: ham, bacon, cheese, chopped veggies," she says. "Whatever your kid loves.” She suggests a touch of Tabasco instead of ketchup. Then pile onto a tortilla and roll up for a quick to-go (or to-stay) meal.
Cereal and Milk
Cereal, of course, it's a super easy breakfast. “Sugar cereals were popular [in our house] until my older son began reading the backs of the boxes,” says Bhide. “He even convinced his brother to forgo all the sugary sweetness, and now the choice of cereal in our house is Cheerios. We like it loaded with blueberries and raspberries.” Other healthy, but kid-friendly options: Kashi Puffs or Kashi Flakes, Weetabix and Life.
RELATED: Healthier Breakfasts for Kids
Eggs-cellent
Clocking in at 70 calories and chock-full of protein, eggs make an excellent and easy standby breakfast. “Our favorite family breakfast is a masala omelet,” says Bhide. “Eggs are blended and then cooked along with chopped cilantro and finely chopped onions.” Pre-chopping veggies when you’re cooking dinner is a simple time-saver come morning.
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Pretty Pancakes
Simple, easy and classic—whether you make them from a mix or this easy batter which you can make the night before: 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk and 4 tablespoons melted butter. “My boys love pancakes,” says Bhide. “Sometimes we make colored pancakes by adding pureed fruits to the batter.” Keep it healthy by ditching the maple syrup and using fruit puree, honey or agave and nuts.
Homemade Granola
If your kids love the crunch of granola, they’ll adore this nutty make-ahead and eat-on-the-run take by Karmel, “especially if you let them help make it,” she says. “Kids love eating anything they’re involved in making.” Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Toss together 6 ounces rolled oats, 2 1/2 ounces chopped pecans, 3/4 ounce shredded coconut, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons canola oil, and 4 tablespoons maple syrup. Spread out on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes. Add a handful of raisins. Toss over yogurt, or enjoy it like cereal with milk.
