Nutrition experts share healthy breakfast tips for students

Nutrition experts are offering guidance on preparing balanced, nutritious breakfasts for students, ranging from young children to college-aged individuals.

Licensed dietitian Katherine Shary suggests that breakfast does not need to be a large meal to be effective. She recommends focusing on a combination of protein and carbohydrates to sustain energy levels. Practical ideas include whole wheat toast with peanut butter or hummus, Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, or even utilizing leftovers like turkey wraps and breakfast burritos. Shary notes that breakfast items like burritos can be made in bulk and frozen for convenience.

For older students, Laurie Crowell from Golden Fig Fine Foods recommends chia yogurt pudding as a simple, meal-prep-friendly option. This recipe involves mixing plain yogurt, milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and citrus zest, which can be refrigerated for several hours to thicken. The base can be customized with various mix-ins such as protein powder, fruit puree, cocoa powder, or mashed bananas, and topped with fresh fruit and nuts.