September is National Better Breakfast month! Let’s talk breakfast, often cited as the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is often ignored because of time constraints in the morning. We get it; you’re busy, you’re rushing, there’s a million things to get done. Failing to eat breakfast can really take a toll on your day, though. How do you expect to get any of those millions of things done without any energy? You’ll crash before lunch. To make matters worse, people who don’t eat breakfast may snack midday on unhealthy items. (Sugar rushes are a temporary fix, guys!)

Solution: Enjoy breakfast

Solution? Eat breakfast. Better solution? Enjoy breakfast. The more you enjoy your breakfast routine, the less you’ll be tempted to skip it.  Here are some great morning meal options, tailored specifically to different routines.

The Athlete’s Assistant

Fast cars need premium gas, oil and regular maintenance. American Pharoah didn’t gallop over the finish line after a breakfast of sugar cubes. You want peak athletic performance? You have to eat the right stuff. The two biggest things you have to think about are carbs and fiber. A whole wheat bagel is a great place to start on both counts. You can add cream cheese, just don’t slather it on thick. Lox is another great addition, since the omega-3s help battle inflammation. If you’ve got a bit more time to sit and eat, add a yogurt parfait with granola and fresh fruit.

The Parent Power-Up

Actor Martin Mull once said “Having children is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain.” In the midst of all the beautiful chaos that is parenting, finding time for a better breakfast of your own can seem impossible.

Here’s a quick, easy, healthy option — the breakfast burrito. It’s pretty similar to a normal burrito   — fill a tortilla with fresh veggies, brown rice and egg whites. You can mix and match ingredients as you wish, but remember that egg whites are low-fat and high in protein. Eggs are also loaded with B vitamins, helping power up your body to take on any stresses that may arise that day. The best part is you can make it at night before you go to bed, and then the morning rush for breakfast becomes 45 seconds in the microwave.

Can’t believe it’s not dessert.

Speaking of parenting, let’s flip it around a bit. Got picky eaters? Kids see commercials for chocolate cereal or toaster pastries and the whole “healthy breakfast” idea seems like a lost cause. The key is to find something healthy that tastes like dessert. This is easier said than done, but still possible! Try a whole different kind of breakfast burrito this time. Take peanut butter, honey, bananas, and your kid’s favorite berries, and wrap them up in a whole wheat tortilla. It might taste like dessert, but it’s packed with potassium, antioxidants and fiber. If your kid turns his nose up at the berries, toss a few chocolate chips in there as well. It’ll work wonders.

 

Better breakfast can lead to a better day, which can lead to a better life. It’s really that simple. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Make eating healthier breakfasts part of your routine and see the results for yourself. Enjoy the extra energy and happiness that comes from doing something right for your body.