What our kids are eating for breakfast

Many of us are approaching five months of our kids being home from school. If this feels like the longest summer break ever, you are not alone. Without a firm routine, many meal habits have gotten off track. For some inspiration on better ways to start the day, we asked our Registered Dietitians what their kids’ favorite healthy breakfast choices are, with special focus on meals they can prepare themselves.

Toddlers

My son is almost 2 1/2 years old and his favorite is oatmeal with Greek yogurt and fresh berries from our back yard. Although he cannot make the oatmeal himself, I put the yogurt and berries in separate bowls so then he adds the yogurt into the oatmeal and then he counts each berry as he adds it to his bowl. Sometimes when our blackberries are really big he likes to just dip them into the mixture! Lots of good fiber, protein & nutrients – Michael Ann Kelly, MS, RD, LDN, TouchPoint

My 20 month old loves veggie egg cups! I just mix together about 6 eggs, about ¼ cup- ½ cup chopped veggies, and ¼ cup shredded cheese, and I pour into muffin tins and bake for about 20 minutes. They’re easy to grab in the morning and can be frozen for a later time. – Karleigh Jurek, MS, RD, LD, Eurest

Smoothies!!  My 18 month old will drink any kind of smoothie.  He also loves pancakes.  I mix in some baby oatmeal to the batter to give a little extra whole grains and fiber. – Kimberley Miller, MS, RD, CDN, Morrison Living

My grandkids’ favorite breakfast is avocado toast…..and yes, even 4 year olds can do most of the prep once the avocado is cut in half. – Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND, Envision Group

Here are my toddler’s favorites:

• Kodiak Cake pancakes with fresh berries and vanilla yogurt;
• fresh parfait – vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and cereal or granola topping of choice;
• peanut butter banana sandwich or whole grain tortilla rollup;
• scrambled egg, avocado, and russet potato hash;
• steel cut oats with frozen or dried fruit and nuts.
  
  – Jennifer Heidel, MS, RDN, LDN, Foodbuy

Elementary Aged

One thing we do in Chartwells K-12 is a sun butter wrap. We spread sun butter on a whole grain tortilla and add fresh fruit (i.e. bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc.), and either roll it up or cook it on the flat top like a quesadilla. You can also add other favorite toppings if your heart desires – such as nuts, seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, jelly, and dried fruit. So delicious and perfect on-the-go breakfast! – Callie Gavorek MS, RD, CC, FMP, Chartwells K12

A couple of our favorites include avocado toast with fried egg; smoothie with spinach, banana, blueberry and coconut water or kefir; egg in a hole (whole wheat toast);  pancakes with simple strawberry sauce (simmered strawberries, no added sugar or sweetener). – Phoebe Wallace, RD, LD, Eurest

We enjoy making apple peanut butter sandwiches, skillet granola, banana oatmeal bake and muffin egg cups. – Amanda Veneman RD, LD, FLIK Hospitality Group

Our favorites include whole grains waffles with peanut butter and fresh fruit or yogurt cups with fresh fruit. – Jasmynn Lahner, RD, Chartwells K12

Teens

My son’s favorite breakfasts are:

• Scrambled eggs with toast – beat eggs in a bowl with a pinch of black pepper. Cook on a non-stick pan with a teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle the eggs with some shredded cheese and eat with toast.
• Avocado Toast- Chop the avocado, toast the bread in a toaster, spread the avocado pieces, and sprinkle some pepper, salt and cayenne pepper.
• Waffles with berries and/or ripe mangoes with syrup
  
  – Sheetal Parikh, MS, RDN, LDN, Morrison Healthcare

We enjoy Greek yogurt with flax seed and blueberries; overnight oats with berries; and chia pudding made with coconut milk. Our favorite is frozen broccoli, spinach, chopped tomatoes and peppers, ham and cheese sautéed and topped with scrambled egg mixture served with fresh fruit. – Lee Ann DiBiase MS, RDN, Eurest

My daughter’s new favorite is granola with fat free milk and some type of berry with it. – Dayle Bara, RD, CDN, Morrison Living.

Recipe inspiration: