Get Healthy Breakfast for Kids
From getting dressed and preparing breakfast to packing lunches and backpacks, weekday mornings with kids are jam-packed with activity. Despite the rush, with a little planning and creativity, you can still carve out time for a healthy breakfast for your kids that will keep them energized, happy, and full through their morning.
- Make-Ahead Healthy Breakfast For Kids
- Quick-Prep Healthy Breakfast for Kids
- No-Prep Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
- Allergy-Friendly Breakfast Options
- Breakfast Prep for Picky Eaters
Make-Ahead Healthy Breakfast For Kids
Start your breakfast prep early with these make-ahead items. You can prepare a batch for multiple days of healthy kids’ breakfast and keep it in the fridge for five days or less for optimal tastiness.
1. Overnight Oats
This no-cook oatmeal recipe creates a rich, creamy, and healthy kids’ breakfast and allows for a variety of recipe variations. Add almond butter, bananas, tropical fruit, and Greek yogurt for flavor and richness. Preparing your oats and letting them sit overnight will save time in the morning.
Nurture Life Oaties let you skip traditional overnight oat preparation while still offering a healthy kids’ breakfast that’s ready to go in the morning. Oaties contain wholesome oats as the foundation, topped with real fruits, and combined with hidden vegetables.
2. Slow-Cooked Oats
Place your ingredients on the stovetop and let this fiber-rich healthy breakfast for kids simmer on low heat for several hours. Add apples and cinnamon for a warm and comforting spin. Don’t have a few hours? Pressure cookers like the Instant Pot can give that slow-cooked feel in less than half an hour. Like our last option, this dish can be cooked overnight for an easy breakfast.
3. Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast tacos are easy to make in less than half an hour to start your morning off right. Load up whole wheat tortillas with protein-packed scrambled eggs and diced peppers, onions, and tomatoes. In the morning, simply reheat these in the oven or microwave until they’re perfectly warm and toasty. If you have any leftovers, breakfast tacos are also great for lunch, dinner, or a snack at any time.
4. Hard Boiled Eggs
Not only is this portable meal good for breakfast on the go, but it also doubles as the perfect after-school snack. You can even have some fun with this kids’ healthy breakfast by creating bunny-shaped eggs, English muffin egg pizzas, deviled egg chicks, deviled egg dip, hard-boiled grilled cheese sandwiches, or open-face egg salad sandwiches. The only limit is your imagination!
5. Whole Grain Muffins
Not only are whole grain muffins a great healthy kid breakfast, but they’re delicious, and your kids might think they’re getting a treat, not a healthy, nutritious meal. Top with low-fat cream cheese or your favorite nut butter spread, or add bananas, blueberries, or cinnamon to take them to the next level.
Quick-Prep Healthy Breakfast for Kids
Only have a few minutes to whip up breakfast on the spot? No problem—these go-to solutions load up on nutrition and make your mornings much easier.
6. Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are among the most classic healthy breakfast ideas for kids (and adults). They’re quick to throw together and present an excellent opportunity to add extra fruits and vegetables to your child’s diet. While your picky eaters are happily drinking away, they won’t know they’re getting tons of beneficial nutrition in this yummy treat.
Take this as a chance to incorporate kid-approved superfoods, from spinach and blueberries to carrots and dates, into their diet. That said, resist the temptation to pack in too many ingredients that may discourage your child from trying something new.
Make it out the door faster with Nurture Life’s Superfood Smoothies, which contain a nutritious blend of superfoods, veggies, and whole fruits. They support balanced nutrition and natural sweetness without added sugar.
7. Avocado Toast
If you’re looking to move beyond the kids’ staples of pizza, pasta, and grilled cheese, here’s a savory treat you and your kids can enjoy. Mash up a quarter of an avocado on whole wheat toast. If your little one is up for it, top it off with additional veggies such as sliced cucumbers, sauteed spinach, or sliced tomatoes. The healthy fat from the avocado will keep your kid full until lunchtime, while the creamy taste is reminiscent of cheese and many other foods that kids love.
8. Dippy Boiled Egg and Soldiers
One of the more creative breakfast ideas for kids, your little ones will love this easy, dippable breakfast! Make a soft-boiled egg to serve in an egg cup and slice a piece of whole wheat toast into “soldier” slices.
A common English breakfast, this unique dish isn’t popular on this side of the pond, making it an excellent alternative to those staples your kids know so well. Your kids will also love dipping toast into these runny eggs, which can add a much-needed element of fun to their morning breakfast.
9. Chia Pudding
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein, chia seeds amp up a breakfast pudding that’s easily made with almond milk, fruit, and even some nuts for crunch. You can use either white or black chia seeds because they share the same taste, nutritional, and thickening profile. However, if your kid is picky about colors, choose the one they’ll like better.
No-Prep Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
No time doesn’t have to mean no breakfast. Check out these super-quick options to provide a healthy breakfast for kids before school with a minute to spare and no meal prep.
10. Frozen Pancakes or Waffles
Turn to the toaster for this hassle-free breakfast! Opt for whole grain varieties high in fiber, and serve them with a side of no-prep fruits like berries or clementines. In a pinch, you can even throw frozen pancakes in the microwave for that quick, gotta-get-out-the-door snack. Nurture Life’s Banana Pancake Puffs with a side of protein-packed sausage links and sweet potatoes make a winning breakfast combo.
11. Super Sammies
Skip breakfast prep altogether with Nurture Life Super Sammies — crustless sunflower butter sandwiches with real fruit fillings. These whole wheat bread sandwiches include clean ingredients and are lunch-box ready. Thaw them for 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, and they’re ready to eat. You can also toast them for one to two minutes after they’ve thawed for a little browning and a warm, gooey center.
12. Greek Yogurt Parfaits
Yogurt parfaits are an easy and healthy breakfast option to fuel your kids throughout a busy day. Start with Greek yogurt, then mix in their favorite toppings, like sliced almonds, cereal, granola, and diced strawberries.
Look for Greek yogurt without added low-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame or stevia. With just yogurt and fruit, parfaits are an excellent and healthy breakfast for kids. They can be easily made from your child’s favorite fruit or switched up if that old staple is getting a bit boring.
13. Mighty Bites
The ultimate grab-and-go option, Nurture Life Mighty Bites offer a bite-sized breakfast treat full of naturally nourishing ingredients like dates and oats. They come in three flavors — chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and oatmeal raisin — to give kids the tastes they love with a nutritious twist. Keep some in your pantry for those busy mornings when you’re in a rush and don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast.
14. Cereal
Look for whole-grain cereal options that are low in sugar and high in fiber. One of our favorites is the Original Puffins Cereal, which has five grams of fiber per serving. It’s made with whole grain, is kosher-friendly, and contains delicious and nutritious ingredients like corn, wheat, and oats, which even the pickiest eaters may have trouble resisting. Avoid the typical options, which are loaded with sugars and preservatives that provide little nutritional value.
Allergy-Friendly Breakfast Options
Even if your child is allergic to breakfast ingredients that contribute to a balanced diet, there are suitable alternatives you can use to build a balanced, nutritious meal:
- Dairy-free choices: Milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt are common in many breakfast recipes. However, if your child has a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, substitute recipes with coconut, oat, almond, or hazelnut milk. You should also look for nondairy cheese and yogurts or choose calcium-rich foods labeled dairy-free or suitable for vegans.
- Nut-free options: If your child has peanut allergies, try sunflower seed butter sandwiches as a tasty alternative. Look for allergen-friendly cereal and granola bars.
- Gluten-free meals: Gluten-free foods still provide children with healthy and delicious nutrition. In recipes, substitute ordinary flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond, coconut, tapioca, and oat flour.
Breakfast Prep for Picky Eaters
If your child is picky about flavors, colors, textures or unfamiliar ingredients, it’s still possible to prioritize a delicious, well-balanced meal. Here are some ideas to help your picky eaters enjoy breakfast:
- Offer them multiple healthy meal options so they can choose what appeals to them and help them establish a positive relationship with food.
- Involve them in meal prep, such as washing fruits and veggies, plating the meals, and fetching ingredients from the fridge or pantry.
- Expose them to new foods at least six times before you rule it out.
- Serve small food portions with lots of negative space to avoid overwhelming them.
- Get them excited to eat from the five food groups by serving up the rainbow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some popular questions about healthy breakfast for kids.
What Is a Healthy Breakfast for Kids Who Don’t Like Breakfast?
Make breakfast more interesting for your picky eater by offering them small portions of grab-and-go treats like smoothies, fruit, and energy bites. Cutting their food into interesting shapes and using creative presentation may also help.
What Is the Best Breakfast for Kids’ Brains?
The best breakfast for kids’ brains includes whole grains, protein, and healthy fats that facilitate a steady release of energy over time. Examples include eggs, avocados, and oatmeal. Add some nuts and berries for brain-boosting nutrients that support long-lasting cognitive functioning.
What Is the Most Healthy Breakfast for Kids?
A balanced meal containing whole grains, proteins, fruits, and veggies is the best for kids as it provides them with all the nutrients they need to kick-start their day. Smoothies, egg cups, and granola with yogurt are great options.
What Should Kids Eat First Thing in the Morning?
Starting your child’s day with a meal that balances proteins, grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables sets them up for success. Prioritizing fiber and protein with options like eggs, whole grain toast, and overnight oats will help them sustain energy throughout the day.
Prep Breakfast In Minutes With Nurture Life Kids Meal Delivery Service
Your family can conquer busy mornings with these quick yet healthy breakfast ideas for kids. Simplify morning breakfast by taking advantage of wholesome store-bought breakfast foods, and use your weekends to prep a few make-ahead meals. And when your schedule is too full to even think about breakfast for the week, you can count on Nurture Life for delicious and nutritious meals!
Our fresh, never-frozen meals are approved for picky eaters. Contact us today if you have any questions about our ready-to-eat kids’ meal menu or want more information about how to place an order.