Have you ever heard someone say that breakfast is the best meal of the day? It may be because some of their favorite foods are served at breakfast. Unfortunately, our morning dash out the door doesn’t leave much time to prepare a proper breakfast. Just how important is breakfast as part of a healthy diet? 

Data show that children and adults who eat a healthy breakfast typically have a healthier diet than those who routinely skip breakfast. There’s more: the research also shows that children who skip breakfast don’t do as well in school and are more irritable, less focused, and more likely to become obese later in life. I can’t help but wonder how many of these characteristics carry over into our adult behaviors.

Here are some tips to help you include healthy breakfast foods when you’re eating on the run. Remember, it’s OK to be creative. You don’t always have to stick to traditional breakfast foods.

• Low-fat yogurt mixed with granola
• Bite-sized cereals that you can portion out in advance
• Pita pockets filled with eggs, cheese and salsa or fruit and cream cheese
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Whole wheat bagels and low-fat cream cheese
• Low-fat frozen waffles and cut-up fruit