5 Healthy Breakfast Alternatives for Your Family

For many households, breakfast is one of the most essential meals of the day. It’s also the time that a lot of families get to spend a portion of their day together. When you’re gathering at the breakfast table, there are a few alternatives you’ll want to remember in order to keep the family’s nutritional intake high.

1. Overnight Oats

Many people consume instant oatmeal with the assumption that it’s a healthy breakfast option. While there is some nutritional value found in instant oatmeal, it’s loaded with sugar. Therefore, it can cause a terrible spike and crash in blood sugar. Instead, try a healthier alternative with overnight oats. Place steel-cut oats and unsweetened dairy-free milk in a mason jar. Add your choice of spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. You can even add vanilla extract for a warmer flavor. Then, add your choice of ripened fruit for sweetness. You can choose fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries), peaches, or bananas. Sweeten to taste with a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup. Prepare these oats the night before. By the morning, your family can eat this option cold or warm it up over the stove. You could also swap out plain oats for the best muesli cereal you can find. This will incorporate more flavors and textures to your overnight oats.

2. Green Smoothies

Green smoothies are delicious and packed with nutrients. Spinach makes an excellent base for smoothies because the taste isn’t overpowering in the least bit. Plus, it’s such a nutrient-rich vegetable. You can also choose options like kale or swiss chard. Once you’ve cut it up, make it fun by customizing the fruit choices based on what the family wants. You can add bananas to make the smoothie creamy. Avocados offer the same effect as well. Berries, mangoes, and pineapples are tasty options to include as well. To add healthy fat, you can include some coconut milk. You can also top the green smoothies with various seeds like hemp seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds. When the smoothie is packed with the right nutrients, it can serve as such a satiating breakfast alternative.

3. Multi-Grain Pancakes/Waffles

Pancakes and waffles are breakfast staples for so many households. However, when they’re packed with white flour that’s been processed and stripped of any nutrients, they don’t provide any nutritional value. Thankfully, you don’t have to throw away your beloved pancakes forever. Just change the recipe. Instead of using white flour, use whole-wheat flour. If you’re purchasing pre-made waffles, choose options that are made from whole grains like buckwheat. If you’re making whole-grain waffles from scratch, add chia seeds, wheat germ or flax seeds. Add fruit toppings, nut butter, or fresh fruit compote spreads to sweeten the deal.

4. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Fruit and yogurt parfaits are fun for the entire family to make. Create multiple layers of yogurt, fruit, and granola. Most people love to use blueberries and strawberries in their parfait. However, you can use peaches, pitted cherries, or apricots. Get creative with your options. When you’re using yogurt, you can opt for a dairy-free yogurt as there are tons of choices. However, it’s best to choose an unsweetened version of the yogurt you’d like to try. When you purchase the unsweetened option, you can simultaneously control the amount of sugar that goes into the parfait. Choose granola options that are low in sugar content as well. You can even make your own granola. Sweeten the deal with a bit of whipped cream on top for a breakfast treat that feels luxurious.

5. Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast casseroles are amazing because they provide a variety of nutrients. Use a mix of sweet potatoes and eggs as your foundational base. Add vegetables like scallions, kale, and tomatoes to add more flavor to the mix. Generously sprinkle seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika as well. If your family consumes meat, cut up a few pieces of turkey bacon to disperse throughout the casserole. If you prefer a lean option like chicken, that’s fine as well. You can also make it a vegetarian casserole by adding vegetarian meat options. If your family enjoys cheese, sprinkle cheddar cheese, or parmesan cheese. Along with a breakfast casserole, you can serve a savory grain such as brown rice or quinoa. Both options provide a hearty complement to this protein-rich dish.
As you work through the nuances of changing certain recipes that the family is used to, it might feel strange at first. Your children might complain about the taste of certain flavors they’re not used to. Make the transition gradual in order to experience lasting change. Plus, you’re responsible for making sure your children get the nutrients they need. It’s worth the switch.