When you need a high-protein breakfast but you're sick and tired of eggs, reach for any of these yummy, convenient recipes.
Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages You need protein in the morning to feed your hardworking muscles and to help keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day. While eggs are the most common choice, many other high-quality protein options can turn your a.m. meal into a tempting treat
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Amp up that morning protein. We tapped two registered dietitians to get the scoop on protein-rich breakfast recipes that aren't made with eggs. Keep reading to learn more.
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1. Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
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Smoked salmon is a great way to amp up protein in your breakfast meal.
Image Credit: Olha_Afanasieva/iStock/Getty Images In addition to being an excellent source of protein, smoked salmon offers a solid dose of healthy omega-3 fats that can help reduce your risk of heart disease, per the American Heart Association.
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Those omega-3 fatty acids can also help to fight inflammation, Elise Harlow, RDN of The Flourished Table says.
Get the Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast recipe and nutrition info here. 2. Red, White and Blue Parfait
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Choose seasonal berries and swap out the almonds for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Image Credit: jaroszpilewski/iStock/Getty Images This parfait offers 13 grams of protein per half-cup of cottage cheese, and another 6 grams can be found in the almonds, leaving you with almost 20 grams of protein in total. This will surely keep you full until lunchtime.
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Get the Red, White and Blue Parfait recipe and nutrition info here.
Sunshine Smoothie
Visit Page https://www.livestrong.comCraft smoothies carefully to guarantee you are getting the nutrition without overdoing the sugar and calories. Image Credit: saschanti/iStock/Getty “Kefir is an excellent way to get in your daily dose of probiotics to keep your gut healthy,” Harlow says. “Kefir actually has more probiotics than yogurt.”
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Advertisement Get the Sunrise Smoothie recipe and nutrition info here.
Amped-Up Bircher Microbe Muesli
Visit Page https://www.livestrong.comMuesli can be nutritious, but also seriously high in sugar and calories. Image Credit: Eising/Photodisc/Getty Images The combination of fiber in the apple and oats and probiotics in kefir makes this the perfect breakfast for nourishing your gut, Harlow says. “Adding hemp seeds sneak in some healthy fats, but also subtly up the protein content, too.”
Advertisement Get the Amped-Up Bircher Microbe Museli recipe and nutritional info here.
Quinoa Porridge
Visit Page https://www.livestrong.comQuinoa makes a unique breakfast “cereal.” Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/Getty Images Quinoa and other whole grains can help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, per the USDA. “Quinoa has more protein than oatmeal and can even be pre-cooked and frozen in advance, so you can make this recipe with minimal time and prep,” Harlow says.
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Chocolate Nutter Butter Smoothie
Visit Page https://www.livestrong.comThe Chocolate Nutter Butter Smoothie has 17 grams of protein. Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/Getty Images Getting enough veggies in the day can be hard enough, so adding them to a smoothie is a great way to reach that daily goal. “Spinach is a great one to add to smoothies because it blends well and does not change the flavor very much, if at all,” Harlow says.
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Advertisement Get the Chocolate Nutter Butter Smooth recipe and nutrition info here.
Breakfast Burrito
Visit Page https://www.livestrong.comBreakfast burritos are a versatile, easy option. Image Credit: MilanEXPO/iStock/Getty Images If you’re looking for a freezer-friendly breakfast, look no further. These burritos can be prepped and frozen for quick breakfasts on-the-go. “To give this burrito some more nutrients, I recommend adding sautéed onions and bell pepper,” Harlow says.
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Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes
Visit Page https://thelemonbowl.comUsing dairy milk, instead of a milk alternative, keeps this recipe full of protein. Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl These apple cinnamon pancakes clock in at 14.1 grams of protein per serving, so they’re sure to keep mid-day snacking at bay. “Oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber, which is the kind that helps lower cholesterol. Grinding them into flour results in a fluffier pancake,” Nicole Rodriguez, RD says. Get the Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes recipe and nutritional info from The Lemon Bowl.
Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito
Visit Page https://minimalistbaker.comServe this burrito with a side of salsa and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. Image Credit: Minimalist Baker Starting your day with a hefty serving of vegetables not only sets the tone for the rest of the day, but it’s sure to keep you full for hours. If you’re not vegan, you can even add more protein by incorporating a lean protein like chicken, turkey or even tofu, Rodriguez says.
Advertisement Get the Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito recipe and nutrition info from Minimalist Baker.
Avocado Toast With Cottage Cheese and Tomatoes
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For more flavor, add your favorite seasonings like Everything Bagel spice or cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl When it comes to cottage cheese, Rodriguez suggests looking for a no-salt-added variety, so you can have more flexibility with toppings. “Avocado is a smart pairing for satiety, but also aids absorption of the lycopene, a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes,” she says. Get the Avocado Toast With Cottage Cheese and Tomatoes recipe and nutrition info from The Lemon Bowl. 11. Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
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Enjoy this smoothie during the warm weather season when strawberries are at their best.
Image Credit: Six Sisters Stuff To make this smoothie even more filling, add a scoop of protein powder or a heart-healthy fat like peanut butter or avocado, Rodriguez suggests. “Depending on your needs, you might also consider increasing complex carbs by adding 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats.” Get the Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie recipe and nutritional info from Six Sisters Stuff. 12. Protein Granola Breakfast Bowl
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Adding seasonal fruits and berries to this parfait will give this bowl the best flavor.
Image Credit: Dishing Out Health Granola can be loaded with calories, so consider limiting this bowl topping to 1/4 cup, Rodriguez suggests. “And because there’s no nutritional difference between organic and other yogurts, choose yours based on taste preference.” Get the Protein Granola Breakfast Bowl recipe and nutritional info from Dishing Out Health.
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references
American Heart Association: "Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids"
U.S. Department of Agriculture: "10 Tips to Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains"
references
American Heart Association: "Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids"
U.S. Department of Agriculture: "10 Tips to Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains"
When you need a high-protein breakfast but you're sick and tired of eggs, reach for any of these yummy, convenient recipes.
Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages
Visit Page
https://www.livestrong.com
Smoked salmon is a great way to amp up protein in your breakfast meal.
Image Credit: Olha_Afanasieva/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: Olha_Afanasieva/iStock/Getty Images
Get the Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast recipe and nutrition info here.
Choose seasonal berries and swap out the almonds for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Image Credit: jaroszpilewski/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: jaroszpilewski/iStock/Getty Images
Get the Red, White and Blue Parfait recipe and nutrition info here.
Craft smoothies carefully to guarantee you are getting the nutrition without overdoing the sugar and calories.
Image Credit: saschanti/iStock/Getty
Image Credit: saschanti/iStock/Getty
Get the Sunrise Smoothie recipe and nutrition info here.
Muesli can be nutritious, but also seriously high in sugar and calories.
Image Credit: Eising/Photodisc/Getty Images
Image Credit: Eising/Photodisc/Getty Images
Get the Amped-Up Bircher Microbe Museli recipe and nutritional info here.
Quinoa makes a unique breakfast “cereal.”
Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/Getty Images
Get the Quinoa Porridge recipe and nutrition info here.
The Chocolate Nutter Butter Smoothie has 17 grams of protein.
Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/Getty Images
Get the Chocolate Nutter Butter Smooth recipe and nutrition info here.
Breakfast burritos are a versatile, easy option.
Image Credit: MilanEXPO/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: MilanEXPO/iStock/Getty Images
Get the Breakfast Burrito recipe and nutritional info here.
Visit Page
https://thelemonbowl.com
Using dairy milk, instead of a milk alternative, keeps this recipe full of protein.
Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl
Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl
Get the Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes recipe and nutritional info from The Lemon Bowl.
Visit Page
https://minimalistbaker.com
Serve this burrito with a side of salsa and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
Image Credit: Minimalist Baker
Image Credit: Minimalist Baker
Get the Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito recipe and nutrition info from Minimalist Baker.
For more flavor, add your favorite seasonings like Everything Bagel spice or cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl
Get the Avocado Toast With Cottage Cheese and Tomatoes recipe and nutrition info from The Lemon Bowl.
Visit Page
https://www.sixsistersstuff.com
Enjoy this smoothie during the warm weather season when strawberries are at their best.
Image Credit: Six Sisters Stuff
Image Credit: Six Sisters Stuff
Get the Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie recipe and nutritional info from Six Sisters Stuff.
Visit Page
https://dishingouthealth.com
Adding seasonal fruits and berries to this parfait will give this bowl the best flavor.
Image Credit: Dishing Out Health
Image Credit: Dishing Out Health
Get the Protein Granola Breakfast Bowl recipe and nutritional info from Dishing Out Health.
American Heart Association: "Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids"
U.S. Department of Agriculture: "10 Tips to Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains"