Never Skip Breakfast Again

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Take a few minutes to enjoy a protein-rich meal in the morning and you'll jumpstart your metabolism, reduce mid-morning cravings, improve concentration and promote weight loss. When you skip this important meal, your body will start storing energy in the form of fat, which is counterproductive to weight loss. For this reason, a healthy breakfast is essential. However, preparing a healthy feast in the morning may not be feasible. Forget the popular, grab-and-go options, like fast-food sandwiches, donuts, and sugar-loaded muffins, which are filled with empty calories. Here are some healthier alternatives that are easy to make and packed with nutrients.

Smoothie

Whip up a healthy mix of your favorite fruits and vegetables and you can drink breakfast on the go. Setting up the blender and cleaning up afterwards requires a few minutes, but it's worth it since you can boost your daily fruit and vegetable intake first thing in the morning. Keep your smoothies healthy by adding the right combination of fruit, veggies and fiber. Flax, hemp or chia seeds add protein and fiber. For a creamy smoothie, use almond milk, low-fat milk or plain yogurt. Sweeten the smoothie with dates and sprinkle a few nuts on top for crunchiness. You can also make green smoothies for a nutrient-dense breakfast with very few calories.

Yogurt

Low-fat and nonfat yogurt offers a perfect mix of carbohydrates and protein as part of a healthy breakfast. Make yogurt your go-to meal when you're short on time. Creamy and tangy Greek yogurt contains nearly twice the calcium and protein of regular yogurt, so choose this option when you can. Stick to the plain, non-fat varieties for your breakfast and mix it with fruit, granola, cereal and nuts for added nutrients, including fiber that will fill you up.

Cereal

Nothing says "quick and easy breakfast" like a bowl of cereal. Make smart choices and your morning cereal will be more than just a fast way to fill up. An easy way to navigate the trap of the cereal aisle is to read the nutrition labels. Go for high-fiber cereals in the form of whole grains, such as wheat, corn, oats, or brown rice. Whole grains reduce the risk of heart disease and make you feel full. The right cereals are also low in sodium and sugar. Pay attention to your portion sizes and have your cereal with low-fat milk and berries for sweetness.

Egg

Eggs are the breakfast of champions. They're inexpensive, easy to cook, and packed with protein, antioxidants, and iron. Wake up to eggs, two to three times a week and make a solid investment in your health. Hard boiled eggs or egg muffins make for an easy and portable breakfast and you can prepare them beforehand if you're short on time in the morning. Make a burrito with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, turkey sausage and avocado or sneak an omelet into a sandwich for staying power to get through the day.

Eating breakfast can help you stay alert and positive throughout the day. There's no better motivation for whipping up these healthy and yummy meals in minutes.