The summer is coming to a close, and the hustle and bustle of the school year is looming ever nearer. During the summer, healthy eating seems easier with healthy eating activities like farmers markets. But how can we carry over healthy eating habits into the school year? Here are some quick, easy, healthy breakfasts for you and your child to enjoy before school!
1. Overnight oats with chia seeds
This breakfast is made the night before for an easy grab-and-go breakfast the next day! This makes them perfect as a healthy meal to keep your child’s healthy habits on track during the school year. Overnight oats can be made in a variety of flavors so get your kids involved in picking their favorite fresh or frozen fruit or yogurt as a topping. Berries, honey greek yogurt, bananas, and slivered almonds are a few fan favorites, but feel free to experiment! This berry chia overnight oats recipe is packed with antioxidants from the berries and protein from the yogurt and milk. Chia seeds are rich in fiber, Omega-3 fats, protein, and several vitamins and minerals, making them a great healthy addition to this traditional breakfast.
2. Smoothie freezer packs
Tired of digging through the freezer to find that one bag of frozen strawberries? Use make-ahead smoothie freezer packs to make breakfast a breeze! There are dozens of recipes online, but what they all boil down to is this: produce, thickeners, boosts, flavors, and a liquid to pour over it. For produce, consider mixing and matching whatever is on sale at your local grocery store. You could also pre-assemble your current favorite smoothie in freezer bags. One common favorite is frozen bananas, a couple of tablespoons of nut butter, and a splash of vanilla blended with milk. Get your kids involved in the process to find flavors they love and you feel good about!
3. Breakfast snacking boxes
These are one of the most portable healthy breakfasts, and so easy to assemble! Gather together some healthy foods your children enjoy, and that can be easily eaten with their hands. Some affordable options include eggs, deli meat, fresh-cut produce, and a small handful of nuts. Section them into a bento box if you have one. Each morninig, have your child grab a box to eat at the table or on their way out the door! These boxes can be assembled by the week and will stay fresh in the fridge, so breakfast is one less thing on your to-do list each day.
Now you are ready to go into the school year with confidence, knowing you have the tools you need to keep your child’s healthy habits intact!