Breakfast Bites

Healthy recipes to start your day off right

Family Features

It is well-known that the best way to start the morning is with a balanced breakfast -- it's not called "the most important meal of the day" for nothing, after all.

Breakfast is also linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can help you enjoy a more nutritionally complete diet that is higher in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, improved concentration and performance at the office or in the classroom, more strength and endurance, and lower cholesterol levels.

According to the USDA's MyPlate Food Guide, a healthy breakfast should contain a well-balanced variety of foods from the major food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy and lean protein.

These recipes for Protein Pancakes, Pumpkin-Banana Bread and Oat Bran Blueberry Muffins from registered dietitian Shanna Stewart, of Wellness For The Win, can help you put your best foot forward to tackle everything the day ahead throws at you. Find these healthy recipes and more at culinary.net/bb.

Power-Up with Pancakes

Breakfast food is delicious at any time of the day, but is the most beneficial when it packs a flavorful punch to help jumpstart your day. Packed with protein, hearty whole-grain oats and banana, and topped with mounds of walnuts and sweet, delicious berries, such as strawberries, these mouth-watering pancakes will help give you the energy you need for any task at hand and keep you feeling full until lunchtime.

Protein Pancakes

1 1/2 cups quick oats

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 ripe mashed banana

1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

1/4 cup almond or skim milk

2 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

dash of cinnamon

berries (optional)

walnuts (optional)

In blender, combine oats, protein powder, banana, Greek yogurt, milk, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Blend until smooth batter forms.

Cook on griddle until golden brown.

Add mixed berries and walnuts (or other toppings) as desired.

Serving suggestions: Pour the juice from the fruit on top of pancakes as "syrup" or top with reduced-sugar strawberry jelly and light syrup.

Healthy Spin on a Breakfast Classic

Banana and pumpkin make for a delicious duo, so bringing them together in this spinoff of a classic recipe only seems right. Moist and delicious, and made with healthy substitutions your family will love, this fall-infused Pumpkin-Banana Bread makes for a quick, easy breakfast or a healthy anytime snack.

Pumpkin-Banana Bread

2 mashed, ripe bananas

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg

2 egg whites

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup rolled or old fashioned oats

5 tablespoons sugar substitute, plus 1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

chocolate chips (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.

Spray 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan (or 4 mini loaf pans) with non-stick cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine banana, pumpkin puree, oil, egg and egg whites. Beat with electric mixer on low speed.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, sugar substitute, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon.

Add flour mixture to banana and pumpkin mixture and beat until just moist.

Pour batter into loaf pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips, if desired.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Note: It is best to store bread in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5-7 days as healthy ingredient substitutions do not stay fresh as long.

Breakfast on the Go

Muffins are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or as a healthy snack option. Homemade oat bran muffins are a great alternative to large, store-bought muffins that are usually packed with calories and fat. Oat bran is a good source of soluble fiber, which can help reduce cholesterol. Not only do these muffins offer health benefits, the recipe is also effortless, making it a morning time-saver when you need to get out the door in a hurry. You can also switch out blueberries for different fruits, such as a banana, giving you the option to have something new each time.

Oat Bran Blueberry Muffins

2 cups oat bran hot cereal, uncooked

2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 cup skim milk

2 egg whites, slightly beaten

1/4 cup honey or molasses

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Heat oven to 425 F.

Line 12 muffin cups with paper baking cups or spray bottoms only with non-stick cooking spray.

In bowl, combine oat bran cereal, brown sugar substitute, baking powder and salt, if desired; mix well.

Add milk, egg whites, honey, oil and blueberries; mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not over-mix.

Fill prepared muffin cups about three-quarters full.

Bake 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.

Variation: In place of blueberries, stir 1 medium mashed, ripe banana or any other fruit of choice into batter before baking.

General News on 07/27/2016