Easy Breakfast Hacks
This post was created in partnership with Dannon Light & Fit. I have been compensated for my time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
At the risk of sounding cliché – breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day. It gives us energy to start the day, gets our metabolism going and helps to regulate our hunger each and every day. Ironically, despite its importance, breakfast is also the meal that’s most often skipped.
I get it –mornings are busy. Whether you’re rushing out the door or stretching your alarm to sleep as late as possible before a day of work, sometimes there isn’t much time for a full, sit-down breakfast.
While I’m with you – I don’t think we need to spend an hour cooking up a gourmet meal during those busy weekday mornings – I do believe that breakfast is super important to eat, even if it’s just something quick. After all, I only look for breakfast to contain an easy 3 components: carbohydrates, protein, and fruit, and those can usually be combined to make a meal in a mere 5-10 minutes.
One of my favorite ways to throw together an easy breakfast – use Greek yogurt. Whether you’reeating it right from the cup or combining into something more fancy, Greek yogurt is a great way to make mornings less stressful and is as versatile as can be. To show you that easy, quick and nutritious breakfasts can be done, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite dietitians to share with me how they Greek yogurt in their favorite, easy breakfast hacks.
With Cereal and Fruit
My personal favorite way to eat Greek yogurt is to top it with cereal and fruit. Cereal and fruit can both give you fiber, and when combined with the protein in Greek yogurt, make for an easy and balanced breakfast. Keri Gans, RDN, nutritionist and Author of The Small Change Diet is on board too, saying “I usually enjoy yogurt for breakfast topped with berries and a high fiber cereal.” With sweetness and crunch, plus an appealing 5-minute prep time, this Greek yogurt combination is a favorite.
Alix Turoff, MS, RD, CDN, CPT, Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer takes her Greek yogurt, cereal, and fruit combination a step further by turning it into breakfast bark and making it the night before. To make the bark, Alix mixes plain Greek yogurt with a sweetener, like honey or maple syrup, or uses a flavored Greek yogurt. She spreads a thin layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and tops with high fiber cereal and berries. The bark then goes into the freezer for a few hours or overnight, so you can simply break off a piece (or keep it stored in the freezer as pieces) whenever you’re ready to eat it. The ultimate in convenience! I’m thinking of trying this with the Raspberry Chocolate flavor of Light & Fit Original Greek Yogurt – it sounds seriously decadent.
With Avocado
Greek yogurt most often gets associated with sweet foods, like the fruit and cereal mentioned above. But, plain Greek yogurt like the plain Light & Fit Original Greek Yogurt can be incredibly versatile. The creaminess and neutral taste makes it an easy vehicle for just about anything, including avocado! Registered dietitian Rachel Fine, MS, RD CSSD, CDN, founder of To The Pointe Nutrition loves making a protein-packed avocado toast with her Greek yogurt. “I love creating a ‘whipped’ avocado spread using Greek yogurt, a squeeze of fresh lime and a pinch of salt andpepper. It pairs well with toasted whole grain bread,” she explains. Whipped avocado toast?! Already planning to buy these ingredients to make tomorrow.
With Sweet Potato
Alanna Waldron, RD, CDN, owner of Eat Real Food found a way to even incorporate some veggies into her morning Greek yogurt. Alanna says she makes a “stuffed sweet potato with plain yogurt, nut or sunflower seed butter, banana slices and/or a sprinkle of granola,” adding that it’s “very satisfying and filled with carbs, protein, fiber and healthy fats.” To make this delicious combo even quicker, you can bake a sweet potato in the microwave by piercing it with a fork and microwaving it on high for 8 minutes. Or, for even more convenience, bake the sweet potato the night before, and quickly heat it up or eat it cold. Not only can this delicious breakfast be prepared in minutes, but it’s also well balanced, which can help you feel full.
On Waffles
Finally, adding Greek yogurt on top of whole grain waffles is an idea so genius, I wish I’d thought of it myself. Registered dietitian Clara Norfleet, RD, LDN of @foodfitnessandfaith likes to spread Greek yogurt on waffles with fresh sliced fruit and a drizzle of nut butter, saying “it hits the spot every time.” Registered dietitian Nicole Groman, MS, RD, CDN of @thehungryclementine agrees, saying “I love using vanilla Greek yogurt on waffles for amazing flavor that’s also a really great source of protein.” Like Clara, Nicole tops her waffles with fresh or frozen fruit, walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. The best part about this idea? By using frozen whole grain waffles, the only prep needed is to put them in the toaster. I’m already planning this one out with the Light & Fit Original Greek Yogurt Banana Cream or Blackberry flavors. Then, simply top with fruit, nut butter or nuts as desired – a complete and nutritious breakfast ready in minutes.
For more delicious meal and snack ideas with Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat Yogurt, follow @Lightandfit on Instagram and use the hashtag #LightandFitRD #LightandFit
