School started for us this week so it's time to say goodbye to our leisurely summer breakfasts or even eating breakfast together at all…at least in my family. There is no way I could stomach food at 6 A.M. in order to eat with my daughter, but if she’s going to have a good day at school she has no choice. According to Parade Magazine, “Children who eat breakfast perform at nearly a grade level higher than those who do not.” So don’t even consider allowing your kids (or yourself!) to skip and instead implement some of these non-processed “on-the-go” breakfast ideas, which have been broken down into three categories:
Make, Freeze, Reheat…
There are quite a lot of breakfast foods you can make in advance, store in the freezer between sheets of wax paper, and then quickly reheat on a busy weekday morning. Just be sure to supplement these homemade breakfast ideas with some fresh fruit!
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Prepare Night Before…
With a little preparation the night before these breakfast ideas could come together fairly quickly before running out the door.
- Hard boiled eggs
- Little baggies of fresh berries, sliced apples or other fresh fruit
- Homemade granola bars
- Fruit smoothies (with or without peanut butter) that you can store in an insulated Thermos cup in fridge
- Oatmeal that you reheat in morning or overnight oats that can be eaten cold or warm
- Cereal with milk if you set out all the supplies at night including bowl, spoon, napkin, cup and a whole-grain cereal like homemade granola
- Individual portions of homemade trail mix (nuts, seeds, raisins, dried apple rings, and dried apricots)
- Little baggies of whole-grain cereal like store-bought corn puffs or shredded wheat
Grab and Go Morning of…
These are some great pre-packaged “real food” items to have on hand for those mornings where there is literally not a second to spare. Hopefully these ideas will convince you to leave those highly processed “milk and cereal bars” at the store!
Lara Bars (pictured—these bars have no added sweeteners and the “cashew cookie” variety only has two ingredients!)- Bananas or apples (with or without those store-bought individual packets of peanut butter)
- Little boxes of raisins
- Individual pre-packaged bags of freeze dried fruit (like Funky Monkey brand from Target or Crispy Green from Earth Fare)
- Small prepackaged bags of nuts found in baking aisle
- Applesauce squeeze packets
Lara Bars (pictured—these bars have no added sweeteners and the “cashew cookie” variety only has two ingredients!)For some “real food” school lunch ideas check out this link: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/category/children-adapting/school-lunches/
In addition, try these Easy Breakfast Ideas!
Missy Sherron says
I have spent most of today reading through your posts, and I really love your site. Thank you very much for putting all of this information together! I have a question for you, though. What brand of cream cheese are you purchasing? Is it made from raw milk? I'm guessing it must not be too processed if you are using it. I only have access to Kroger or Walmart in my small town, but we're close enough to Ft. Wayne that we could drive in to purchase a group of ingredients in necessary.
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Missy. I buy the organic valley cream cheese. Jill
Kim@hungryhealthygirl says
I love these ideas. My kids love when I bake muffins or make yogurt waffles in the morning. I've also got a recipe for pumpkin French toast and one for beet pancakes!
Jenny says
Uncle Sam cereal is also a good choice for boxed cereal! We loved it on yogurt or plain.
Nichole says
I fry an egg, wrap it in a piece of whole grain bread, and eat the sandwich as I'm running out the door. :-)
Susan Plotts says
I like muffins right out of the oven, so this is my trick: mix up the dry ingredients the night before. Also mix the wet ingredients, keep them in fridge overnight. In the am, whip them up, put in oven. When I get out of the shower, they are Done!
wholesale bags says
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Lily says
At a glance I saw the Lara Bars on the list but what are your thoughts on Kashi? I ask because I purchased a giant box of the Go Lean bars for a quick breakfast with a banana but looking at the ingredients...there's a lot of stuff. The label says "all natural". (I'm new to this site & still haven't read through everything so sorry if this is repetative).
100 Days of Real Food says
"All natural" simply means there are no artificial ingredients (like artificial dyes, sweeteners, etc.), which is certainly a good thing, but it could still contain lots of refined grains and sweeteners. I just looked at one of the bars online and out of the first 4 ingredients (meaning what it contains the most of) 3 of them are sweeteners - under unusual names like rice syrup, cane juice and fructose - so I don't think it sounds like a very good choice. Our country's overindulgence in sugar and other sweeteners is a huge problem b/c it is in everything these days!
rv says
love, love, lovin the banana pancakes!!!
KMG says
My mom will make little crepe-like pancakes (just flour, eggs, milk, and some honey - I think...) before we all go to bed, so that the next morning we can just pop them in the toaster; super easy breakfast! We also eat them rolled up, cold - they're great for rushing out the door, which pretty much describes Saturday mornings in our house! ;) We also make smoothies, which take about ten seconds to make (a plus in a house with four kids!). These are some great ideas that I'll have to share with my family. Thanks!
Patti says
I'm excited about having organic foods delivered right to my door. It will take some of the guess work out of what is healthy and what "seems" to be healthy. I just came from Costco and they were demonstrating a Vitamix. It was expensive, but seemed to work well in conjunction with eating and drinking foods and drinks that are good for you. Our family is trying to better. Convenience sometimes dominates over healthy.
Sharee says
These are great school lunch/snack ideas too! (minus some that may need refrigeration after a period of time... though you could try a cool pack...) Love your "real food" school snack list... I've been using it for lunch and snack ideas..
Jan says
she just likes really plain stuff and not anything mixed together- like plain rice krispie cereal or plain peanut butter on bread with no crust- she doesn't even really like jelly- I don't think she would drink a smoothie- she doesn't like bananas or strawberries- she will sometimes eat just plain vanilla yogurt- also for dinner she will only eat plain rice or plain green beans or plain chicken never any sauce or ketchup or ranch dressing- we eat a lot of the same thing over and over...
Trisha says
This doesn't work as well for breakfast for me, but I think it might be how they came to eat the hardboiled eggs and prunes. :)
Set new stuff in front of them and they eat it or they don't.
My preschoolers are VERY picky too. Everything's spicy, oh, what's that green spot. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO grooooooooooooooossssssssss. I hhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaate that.
:) They just turned 5 and 3 1/2. We have made great strides this past year - I give 'em easy stuff sometimes (pb & j, which recently turned into almond butter and j) and they get MY stuff most of the time. Dinnertime is horrible. And there is a lot of crying. But I want to eat meat and vegetables and I don't want to make them separate food forever. I figure they will not starve. The 5 year old finally decided he could eat spinach. HEY. who knew :) I think there is hope.
Kim M. says
Would she drink a smoothie? Since she likes peanut butter, you could include some in her smoothie. You could put all of the ingredients into your blender container the night before and give it a whir in the morning and then put it into a cup with a lid and straw so she could take it with her. How about Lisa's granola recipe made with puffed cereal instead of some or all of the oats. She might like that as a sub for the sugary commercial concoctions I imagine she would like you to give her. How about adding some banana or strawberry slices to her breakfast PB&J (strawberry slices are amazing on PB sandwiches).
Don't mean to steal your thunder here, Lisa! It's just that these ideas came to me as soon as I read Jan's comment and I feel for her!
Jan says
I love all your ideas and they sound yummy to me but my 6 yr old has other ideas and she doesn't like anything but cold cereal or PB&J sandwiches. How do you get your kids to switch over to more healthy eating? Just starve them until they comply?
Kim M. says
Jan, it's probably obvious but I meant my comment below as a reply to you.
100 Days of Real Food says
I am actually going to be posting on picky eaters at the end of next week. It is not easy, but you must have patience and it will of course be so much easier if the switch is partially her idea. In the meantime try educating her about what a variety of whole foods can do for your health (it will make her and her mommy live longer!). And most importantly do not give up on her. Some of these things take a lot of time, but it is always worth it in the end.
Tiff says
Thanks for the ideas! I usually go with parfaits or oats every morning, but changing it up now and then will be nice.
Jen says
I love your blog! Thank you for the really good ideas for breakfast, there are so many and also are so creative, we often get in a rut with the usual ideas. It's nice to have some new things to try.
Mary Jane says
I wasn't sure what to put by WEBSITE. Sorry if it is wrong.
I received you email address from a host on a Christian Radio
Station.
I'm very excited about your website. I've been in Weight Watchers for about a year and a half. I just can't seem to stay
on program. I hate to prepare food for one person. (me, a widow)
It's so hard trying to eat the right foods and the right portions. I'm going to try to follow your suggestions. I just
lack motivation. Thank you for sharing your information and plans, and experience with all of us.
God bless and keep you and your family!
Sincerely,
Mary Jane
Stella says
I really like your food ideas but am cringing at all the times you mention using a "plastic baggie" when there ARE cheap alternatives that are far better for the environment ... Check out a dollar store in your area for little plastic containers that you can wash and use over again or Google "resuable snack bags." There are several on the market.
100 Days of Real Food says
good point!
MargieK says
I reuse plastic ziplog bags a LOT, particularly for things like dry unsalted nuts, mini-carrots, grapes... things that don't leave a messy residue. Just because it IS disposable doesn't mean you HAVE to use it only once. :)
Jen - Personal Trainer Miami Beach says
I love the whole-grain banana pancake recipe!! Well, I love pancakes in general :) And I think I'll have to check out the LARABARS. I never heard of them before. Thanks for the tip!
Best,
Jen
Mary says
Great ideas... I have loved reading all your information on your site! Thanks! I have a question about Baucom's Best.... I think I read that you like to use them for your grass-fed beef and such. What are your thoughts about Windy Hill Farms or Proffitt's? I saw them at Atherton Mills Farmer's Market and wanted to know what you think? Is there something about Baucom's that you like better? Thanks!!
100 Days of Real Food says
I buy from Windy Hill Farms all the time whenever I make it up to Atherton...they are great! I don't know anything about Proffitt's though. If they have a website it might give some details about how they raise the animals. Also, I don't think either farm is better, but they do have slightly different offerings (like lamb from Windy Hill and chicken from Baucom's Best).
Lauren says
i have a quick question if you can help. do you use or have an helpful hints for chocolate milk substitute? my son will ONLY drink chocolate milk and i also have to put in a packet of carnation instant breakfast but i would love to use something besides the store bought organic chocolate milk. less ingrediants the better but i have to use the carnation instant breakfast per drs orders. (hopeing i can find an organic substitute- if any one knows anything please let me know) thanks so much for the help!!!
Mimi says
Hi Lauren- I found you an organic version of Carnation at this link....
http://www.naturesone.com/pediasmart-dairy/
Although I would research the ingredients carefully. Things labeled organic never necessarily means everything in them is safe!
At my house we use Amazing Grass Superfood in the chocolate flavor. Here's a link that tells you more about it....
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-28144-amazing-grass-green-superfood-chocolate-drink-powder-85-oz
Although if you decide to try it, look at Amazon or Vitacost for better prices. It's a great way to get veggies into the entire family! Although be forewarned: it is a little gritty! When making chocolate milk, I add the powder to a bit of hot water until the powder dissolves and then top it with cold milk. It's still a little gritty, but no one has complained and I like knowing they've had more veggies added to their diet.
Good luck!
100 Days of Real Food says
I use the chocolate mix that I put in my maple syrup mocha to make chocolate milk for my girls: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/04/recipe-maple-mocha/
Krista says
Great ideas! I'm getting ready to make zucchini muffins right now. Your recipes are so delicious. We LOVE them all but our favorites are whole wheat biscuits and banana pancakes. Having a batch of the pancakes in the freezer is the best. My son is in heaven when he has them. Thanks Lisa!
Dana says
I just made homemade pop tarts with white WW flour and they turned out well! I will do this again for a quick and easy, reheatable breakfast.
Andrea says
Just found your site and really like it. One comment I have is that I am surprised you consider peanut butter a 'real food'. Here you mention the individual packages in tip 18 and those aren't all that good, in my opinion. The good oil has been removed and replaced with other oil and other 'unnatural' things have been added. We buy our pb in the bulk section of a local co-op where you grind peanuts into peanut butter. Nothing added and it's so good.
100 Days of Real Food says
The peanut butter packets we sometimes buy is Justin's brand from Earth Fare and it has 2 ingredients...organic dry roasted peanuts and a little bit of palm oil. These little packets make taking a banana to preschool "fun" for my 4-year-old so I don't mind the little bit of oil that is not in our regular tub of peanut butter (that we grind fresh directly from peanuts at the store). I hope that answers your concern!
Andrea says
Oh, yes, those sound good. And definitely fun for kids. Thanks for responding!
Kim M. says
Whole Foods Market also carries those Justin's peanut butter packets if some readers have that store nearby rather than Earth Fare.
Katie says
I love rolled oats with cinnamon and two tablespoons of dried fruit (although i'm going to try unsweetened dried cranberries, if such a thing exists! I may try the freeze dried apples next). Just throw it in a ziplock baggie and then when ready to eat, add water and done!
Rebecca ~ Sweet Baby Yams says
This is really helpful. I'm always trying to find easy breakfast recipes for the family.
Sallee says
Can you please give us a list of boxed cereals that are approved? Our family couldn't function without cereal and we're starting to make the real foods switch over. Thanks for your inspiration!!!
100 Days of Real Food says
Well there are not a lot of choices, but there is shredded wheat (different brands) and then these whole-grain puffs that come in bags (either corn, brown rice, and a couple others). Personally we make homemade granola and have it for breakfast with milk almost every morning. My day does not start right if I don't have my granola!
Deirdre says
Thank you so much for these tips. They are more for me than my daughter!! I've been eating whole wheat toast with hummus everyday for too long now! Can't wait to try the burritos. I made banana bread tonight and it was delicious!!!
Jennifer (The Vintage Chain) says
Those Lara Bars are so good! My kids usually eat a decent breakfast...it's actually one of the biggest meals of the day for my daughter.
Jenna says
@JanaC2 - I'd like to hear more about your oatmeal cookies. Do you cook the oats? What kind of ratios do you use?
Thanks for the great breakfast ideas! As soon as the weather cools off I'll start stocking the freezer with baked goods. We also like homemade yogourt with fresh fruit and cereal for breakfast. That's always quick and easy to customize to everyone's liking.
JanaC2 says
You have some great ideas! I started making chocolate chip zucchini muffins when our garden was out of control and have gotten so used to them, I have continued the weekly baking sessions past our harvest date. I use veggie purees (sweet potato, pumpkin, pea, green bean, etc.) in place of oil and prune puree or applesauce in place of sugar to boost nutritional value. Since my dairy/egg-allergic daughter prefers her oatmeal "cookies" (mashed banana and pumpkin puree and oats - no sugar), I added back some eggs to boost my protein intake. Add some homemade almond butter and I have a decadent, but real food breakfast on-the-go!
Kelli says
Can you explain your oatmeal "cookies"? We have egg & dairy allergies here too.
Jenn says
I am so excited I found your website through the yahoo article as well! I've bookmarked it and keep coming back to it as I have time. I've printed off several recipes and am looking forward to stepping up our healthy eating to a whole new level. Even my husband and kids are on board! The difficulty will be with my kids being exposed to so much junk at school, but the healthy "real" food I provide will be so much better, hopefully after a while they won't even care about that junk. This website is awesome and I plan to visit often! Thank you so much for all the helpful information!!!
Jamie says
I already made a big batch of breakfast burrito's for the beginning of the school year - my teen must have forgotten about them because he hasn't snuck any yet :0)
nicky says
I've been looking on amazon at those popsicle molds you recommend for smoothies, etc. Do you know if they are BPA free? Thanks for all of your helpful information! Love your blog!!
Dana says
these are made of silicone and not plastic - silicone is free of Bisphenol-A, Phthalates or PVC
100 Days of Real Food says
Thanks for confirming!
100 Days of Real Food says
You know I am not an expert about plastics, but I am pretty sure BPA is mainly a concern in plastic and those molds are made from silicone so I don't think you need to worry about it. Again, I am not 100% sure, but this is my best guess!
Delirious says
I always appreciate ideas of what to make. I'm trying to get my family away from eggs, and it's hard to think of other ideas! Thanks for these.
Jana @ The Summer House says
Great tips and I'd add, we watch that we don't go overboard on sugary things even if they are fruit sugar. I make muffins from almond flour and a little honey. So good. And baked eggs are like quiche without the crust. Add some cheese,sliced tomatoes and diced green chilies so yummy. Keeps in the fridge and reheats easily.
xo Jana
Stacy says
I'm so thrilled to have found your blog via the yahoo article from the other day. Last year I found out my son is allergic to wheat & sesame seeds. I have gluten intolerance and eat a vegan diet most of the time. So naturally we eliminated 90% of the packaged items I normally purchased. My poor son was so bored with his lunches the last two months of the school last year. We looked at some of the meal ideas you shared, and he's actually feeling less cranky about all the junk he's had to give up. Thanks so much for taking the time to share what you've learned. We're looking forward to a healthy & happy new school year :)
Lyn @ Life Lyn Style says
Baking banana bread right now! But, it's not for my kids, it's for me.
Amy A. says
Great Tips - we are always on the search for breakfast items for my preschooler --specifically ones that he can eat in the car on the way! I have to leave to take him to early morning daycare so early, I don't want to have to wake him up even earlier to feed him breakfast at home or he won't make it till nap time. Will definitely be using some of these ideas!
Deliciously Organic says
Great tips as always!!