The first decision of our day is usually: Do I want to sleep a little bit more, or do I want to make breakfast? This decision sets the tone for the rest of the day. We either snooze our alarms for 15 more minutes, or 30, and our stomachs growl for the entire hour and a half of lecture, or we get up and grab a bite to eat. I have far too many embarrassing memories of clenching my stomach and chugging water in hopes that the bellows of my stomach cease or at least become muffled. After three years of skipping breakfast, I finally got myself into the routine of eating before classes. Breakfast does not have to be as fancy as Snooze Am Eatery, it just has to get you through a couple hours. Here are a few of my favorite breakfast foods that you can take on-the-go.
1. Breakfast Egg Sandwich: This is one of the quickest breakfasts you can make at home. Toast a piece of bread and put an egg in your pan. I prefer my eggs sunny-side-up, but you can cook your egg as you please. Then, grab either an avocado or pesto sauce. Smear the avocado and/or pesto onto your toasted bread. Add your egg. There you go! The bread and egg contains a lot of proteins that will keep you full. The avocado and contains great fats and oils that will also help keep you from getting hungry soon.
2. Pancakes with Fruit: Mix pancake mix and water into a bowl until the batter is smooth. Add oil to your pan and let your pancake cook over medium heat. Wash some fruit, or wash it the night before, and add some to your pancake (either in the pancake, or on top of it). I love putting berries or bananas on top of my pancake. The carbs from the pancakes and the vitamins from the fruit will provide for a balanced, and filling meal.
3. Cereal: The obvious college breakfast is cereal. All you need is a bowl and milk! Grab a cereal with a lot of grains, proteins, and fiber. Trader Joe’s has a great range of nutricious cereals with nuts and grains. Pour yourself a bowl and munch away!
4. Protein bars: If you don’t have time to eat at home, purchase a box of protein bars. I personally like the Think Thin bars or Luna bars. These bars are packed with protein and fiber, so they will keep you from going hungry during your lecture. Make sure you eat something after lecture because the bar will not maintain your hunger for long.
5. Smoothie or Juice: Get your favorite fruits and vegetables, throw them in a blender with ice and sherbert, or in a juicer. Juicing or making a smoothie is a simple and quick way of getting nutrients in liquid form. I enjoy juicing carrots, apples, and tomatoes together. This may sound gross, but I swear, it is delicious!
Try to get a little food in your system before heading out the door. Breakfast isn’t deemed “the Most Important Meal of the Day” for nothing.