Five Quick Breakfasts to Start the School Day

With the return of the school year comes the crazy mornings filled with groggy munchkins, giant backpacks and the inevitable phrase, “MOM!!! Where’s my…!?!?” echoing through the house. And somewhere in there, you have to fit in a decent breakfast.

Everyone’s heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it can be a challenge to pull-off a full meal every single morning. Still, the fact remains, whether it’s difficult to fit in or not, studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school and all academic benefits aside, no mom wants to send her child out the door with a hungry belly.

So what’s a mom to do?

Think ahead. With some basics in your fridge, freezer and pantry, quick breakfasts are a breeze. Here are one school week’s worth of ideas to get you started:

1. Peanut butter toast, a piece of fruit and a glass of milk

2. Hot ham and cheese bagel sandwich with a glass of juice

3. Bowl of cereal in milk, two sausage links and a glass of juice

4. Blueberry muffin, a piece of fruit, two sausage links, and a glass of milk

5. Bowl of oatmeal with fruit sliced in, two bacon strips, and a glass of milk

Tips to make these meals even quicker:

Fruit: Bananas, berries (except strawberries) and grapes are the most user friendly; peel or rinse and you’re done. For apples, serve them whole (for bigger kids) or use an apple slicer/corer for quick prep. Oranges take a lot of time, instead, use canned mandarin oranges

Bagel Sandwiches: Don’t waste precious time toasting the bagels. Slice them in half, throw in some meat and cheese and pop them in the microwave. Warm bagel. Warm melty cheese. One shot.

Sausage Links and Bacon: Rather than taking the time to fry them up, get heat and serve varieties that can be quickly microwaved.

Oatmeal: Man invented microwave oatmeal for a reason…school days

Muffins: Bake them ahead of time and freeze them

Feeding your brood a balanced meal in the morning doesn’t have to be a blur of frying pans and fine china. Save the time you’d spend slaving over a hot stove and use it to actually sit down with them for a delicious breakfast.