Coming up with breakfast ideas for kids can be tough during this busy time of year. When everyone needs to be out of the house and ready for the bus at 7 am, you don’t have time to sit down to a full breakfast of oatmeal, eggs, and fresh fruit. But that does not mean you can’t still get off to a healthy start. Here are four quick and healthy breakfast ideas for your little ones — and you can enjoy them, too!
Apples and Peanut Butter
With an all-in-one apple corer and slicer, you can slice up an apple in 5 seconds or less. Sit your child down with the sliced apple and a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter, and let them crunch away. Apples are full of soluble fiber, which helps keep the digestive tract working well, and they’re also high in vitamins and minerals. Peanut butter is a good source of protein to keep them full throughout the morning. Choose a low-sugar, all-natural peanut butter so you’re not putting them at risk for cavities.
Smoothies: Breakfast Ideas for Kids On-the-Go
For a truly on-the-go breakfast, make a smoothie. You can make enough smoothie in the average blender to feed three or four. Some smoothies are really high in sugar, but you can avoid this if you use the right ingredients. Here’s a simple, lower-sugar smoothie recipe to try:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
This smoothie is packed with vitamins and minerals from the berries, but strawberries and blueberries contain a lot less sugar than bananas, orange juice, and other common smoothie ingredients. The almond milk and yogurt add creaminess and protein. This recipe makes enough for two and is easy to sip from a thermos on the school bus.
Homemade Trail Mix
Some store-bought trail mixes are coated in sugar or contain a lot of sugary chocolate chips. Try making your own healthy trail mix by combining equal parts roasted almonds, unshelled sunflower seeds, unsweetened raisins, and tiny pretzels. Toss in just a few chocolate chips for fun. Pre-fill Ziplock baggies for your child to grab on their way out the door.
Freeze-Ahead Oatmeal Pancakes
This is one of those breakfast ideas for kids that requires a little prep on the weekend but really saves you time later in the week. Oatmeal pancakes are higher in fiber and more filling than traditional pancakes, making them a healthier option. Mix the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fry the pancakes on a skillet. Stack them, and freeze them in a Ziplock bag. Your child can pull one or two out, microwave them for 30 seconds, and enjoy.
These breakfast ideas for kids will save you time and headaches while ensuring your child gets the nutrition they need. Enjoy!