Meal Prepping Breakfast for Easy Mornings

Are you tired of rushing through your mornings and skipping breakfast? Do you find yourself reaching for unhealthy, convenient options on busy mornings or going through the drive thru? Then later in the day you feel sluggish and unfocused? It’s time to take control of your mornings and set yourself up for success by doing some meal prepping for breakfast! In this post, we’ll show you how to make the most of your family’s mornings with nutritious, delicious breakfasts that are ready to go when you are.

Why Meal Prep Breakfast?

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. It kickstarts your metabolism, replenishes your glycogen stores, and provides you with the energy and nutrients you need to power through your day. However, in the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to skip breakfast or opt for quick, sugary options that leave you feeling unsatisfied and hungry soon afterward.

That’s where meal prepping comes in. By taking a little time to plan and prepare your breakfasts in advance, you can ensure that you have a healthy, balanced meal ready to go when you wake up. Meal prepping saves you time, money, and stress in the mornings, and allows you to make mindful choices about the food you put into your body.

How to Meal Prep Breakfast

Meal prepping breakfast is simple and can be done in just a few steps.

1. Plan Your Breakfasts: Start by deciding what you want to eat for breakfast during the week. Choose recipes that are easy to make ahead and store well. Examples of great breakfast meal prep options include overnight oats, muffins, breakfast burritos and biscuits, yogurt parfaits, and chia seed puddings.
2. Make a Grocery List: Once you’ve decided on your breakfast options, make a grocery list of all the ingredients you’ll need. Be sure to check your pantry and fridge to see what you already have on hand to avoid overbuying. Stick to your list when you go grocery shopping to stay focused and avoid impulse purchases. Shop in season for fruit and veggies to get the best prices.
3. Prep Ingredients: Once you’ve got your groceries, set aside some time to prep your ingredients. Wash and chop fruits and vegetables, cook any meat, and portion out grains or other dry ingredients. You can also cook larger batches of ingredients, such as roasted vegetables or cooked grains, to use in multiple breakfast recipes throughout the week.
4. Gather your containers: For items like overnight oats, chia seed pudding, and yogurt parfaits you will need containers. I prefer recycled glass jars. They are easy to clean, don’t get stained or have lingering odors. Plus if the get to dirty you can just toss them.
5. Cook and Assemble: Next, start cooking your breakfast recipes according to your plan. For example, if you’re making overnight oats, combine oats, milk, and other ingredients in a jar or container and let it sit in the fridge overnight. If you’re making egg muffins,  whisk eggs and vegetables together, pour into muffin tins, and bake. Once your breakfast components are cooked, assemble them into individual portions or containers for easy grab-and-go options. I recommend doing one or two items in bulk each week when you cook. Make 2-3 dozen muffins, burritos or biscuits. Keep them in the freezer. For your parfaits, overnight oats or chia seed pudding, they take so little time that you could do that the night before. Make it a family time and have everyone prepare their own for the week. The kids will love that!
6. Store Properly: Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and quality of your meal prepped breakfasts. Choose airtight containers, freezer bags or jars to keep your food fresh for longer. Label each container with the date and contents to help you keep track of what needs to be consumed first. Store your breakfasts in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for longer-term storage.

Benefits of Meal Prepping Breakfast

Meal prepping breakfast offers a wide range of benefits that can positively impact your overall health and life.

1. Saves Time: By prepping your breakfasts in advance, you can save precious time in the mornings. No more scrambling to put together a meal or waiting in line at a drive-thru. Your breakfast is ready to go, allowing you to easily feed your family a healthy breakfast.

2. Promotes Healthier Choices: When you have a healthy breakfast already prepared, you’re more likely to make nutritious choices. You won’t be tempted to grab a sugary cereal or skip breakfast altogether. Instead, you’ll have a balanced meal with the right nutrients to fuel your body and keep you satisfied until your next meal.
3. Saves Money: Meal prepping breakfast can also help you save money. Buying ingredients in bulk and preparing your meals at home is often more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged breakfast options or eating out every morning. You can also take advantage of sales or discounts at the grocery store when you plan your meals in advance.
4. Reduces Food Waste: Meal prepping can also help reduce food waste. By portioning out ingredients and using them in different recipes, you can prevent ingredients from going bad before you have a chance to use them. This not only saves money, but it’s also better for the environment.
5. Increases Variety: Planning and prepping your breakfasts in advance allows you to introduce more variety into your morning meals. You can experiment with different recipes, flavors, and ingredients to keep your breakfasts interesting and enjoyable. This can help you stick to a healthy eating plan and prevent boredom with repetitive meals.
6. Supports Your Health Goals: If you have specific health goals, such as weight loss or muscle gain, meal prepping breakfast can be a valuable tool to support those goals. You have control over the ingredients and portions, making it easier to manage. You can also customize your breakfasts to fit your diet or preferences, ensuring that you’re nourishing your body in the way that works best for you.

Incorporating Meal Prep into Your Morning Routine

Now that you understand the benefits of meal prepping breakfast, it’s time to incorporate it into your morning routine. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Set aside dedicated meal prep time: Pick a day or time during the week that works best for you to plan and prepare your breakfasts. It could be a Sunday afternoon or a weeknight when you have some free time. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine, just like any other task or appointment.
2. Keep it simple: Choose recipes that are easy to make in advance and require minimal effort in the mornings. Overnight oats, smoothie packs, and make-ahead egg muffins are all simple and delicious options. You can also repurpose leftovers from dinner to create a quick and nutritious breakfast.
3. Invest in meal prep containers: Having the right containers is essential for successful meal prep. Invest in a set of airtight containers or mason jars that are the right size for your breakfasts. This will help keep your meals fresh and prevent leakage or spills.
4. Get creative with flavors and ingredients: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to keep your breakfasts interesting. Try different types of grains, fruits, vegetables, and proteins to create new combinations and flavors. This will help prevent meal boredom and make your meals more enjoyable.
5. Store properly: Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and quality of your meal prepped breakfasts. Store them in the fridge for short-term use or freeze them for longer-term storage.

Looking for some great recipes to start meal prepping for breakfast? Watch 3 Quick and Easy Meal Prepping Breakfasts on YouTube.