When you're trying to lose weight, breakfast isn't required, despite the long-standing myth that it's the most important meal of the day. But you also don't need to skip breakfast just because you're aiming for a calorie deficit. If a morning meal is your thing, experts recommend choosing foods high in fiber, protein, and carbs to help you feel fuller longer and to keep your energy levels steady. Eating a satisfying breakfast that's low in added sugar may also help you avoid overeating later in the day. If you're ready to revamp your breakfast routine, reach for one of these delicious and filling recipes.
Cauliflower Porridge
If you love oatmeal, you've got to try this version made with cauliflower. Sounds weird, but once cooked and flavored, it tastes remarkably like oatmeal — honest! This bowl is topped with fresh strawberries, pears, and chopped raw almonds.
Source: Calorie Count
Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Sweet and creamy and such a gorgeous vibrant color, this sweet smoothie will remind you of cheesecake drizzled with blueberries.
Chocolate Coconut Almond Overnight Oats
The fact that these chocolate coconut almond overnight oats taste like an Almond Joy means you'll satisfy your sweet tooth while getting a healthy, filling breakfast.
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
This easy tofu scramble is bursting with an addictive savory-sweet flavor, and since it's made with tofu, kale, and sweet potatoes, it offers tons of filling fiber. Below is the nutritional info for the tofu scramble. If you enjoy yours with a slice of whole wheat bread, it works out to 374 calories, 16.8 grams of fat, 39.8 grams of carbs, 7.4 grams of fiber, and 32.8 grams of protein.
Source: Calorie Count
Lemon Blueberry Protein Muffins
These light and moist muffins deliciously sweetened with lemon juice and blueberries are sure to satisfy your morning muffin cravings. Below is the nutritional info for one muffin. If you enjoy two with one navel orange, that adds up to 369 calories, 11.6 grams of fat, 7.5 grams of fiber, 55 grams of carbs, 29.1 grams of sugar, and 13.3 grams of protein.
Vegan Vanilla Milkshake Smoothie
This vanilla milkshake smoothie is bursting with plant-powered protein. It could use a little extra fiber though, so throw one tablespoon of flaxmeal into the blender for a total of 363 calories, 14.8 grams of fat, 42.8 grams of carbs, 6.3 grams of fiber, and 18.9 grams of protein.
Source: Calorie Count
Overnight Breakfast Cookie
Just mix a few simple ingredients together, flatten it on your plate, pop it in the fridge, and when you wake up, you'll be so excited to get your mouth around this chewy, cinnamony cookie! In the morning, just sprinkle on a pinch of chopped pecans or walnuts to add a little extra healthy fats.
Almond Strawberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie
This dairy-free smoothie is made with soy yogurt and unsweetened soy milk, so it offers tons of plant-based protein.
Source: Calorie Count
Slow-Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Carrot cake meets breakfast in this slow-cooker oatmeal bursting with cinnamon flavor. Top yours with half a cup of soy or regular yogurt to add a little extra protein.
Source: Calorie Count
Creamy Banana Cashew Overnight Oats
You'll love this low-sugar, high-protein overnight oatmeal recipe that's oh so creamy and naturally sweet. The secret? Mashed chickpeas and banana.
Source: Calorie Count
Banana Cinnamon Zoats
Grab a zucchini from your garden or the nearest farmers market and get this zoats recipe in your belly! Since it's a tad higher in carbs than you need, just top with one-quarter cup fruit instead of half a cup.
Source: Calorie Count
Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Made with spinach, banana, tofu, and almond butter, this satisfying breakfast smoothie comes together in minutes.
Source: Calorie Count
Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats
Since these cinnamon raisin overnight oats are only 286 calories, if you enjoy your oatmeal with one hard-boiled egg, the total is 364 calories, 13.8 grams of fat, 44.6 grams of carbs, 7.7 grams of fiber, and 17.3 grams of protein.
Slow-Cooker Apple Pie Quinoa
If you love oatmeal, but are also kind of sick of having it so much, you'll love this hot breakfast made with quinoa instead. Enjoy yours with a few spoonfuls of soy or regular yogurt on top to add a little extra protein.
Low-Sugar Berry Smoothie
Grab your blender and whip up this subtly sweet and creamy smoothie. Since it isn't high in carbs on its own, enjoy yours with one small banana for a total of 392 calories, 14.7 grams of fat, 48.5 grams of carbs, 8.7 grams of fiber, and 24.4 grams of protein.
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Save calories without having to turn on your oven with this creamy smoothie reminiscent of all the warm, spicy flavors of luscious, moist, and creamy carrot cake. Below is the nutritional info for one smoothie, but since it doesn't have enough calories or healthy fats to keep you full all morning, enjoy yours with 10 raw almonds. That brings the total to 359 calories, 13.4 grams of fat, 51.3 grams of carbs, 10.8 grams of fiber, and 21.7 grams of protein.
Source: Calorie Count
Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Steel-Cut Oats
Just throw the ingredients in your slow cooker and get ready to have this slow-cooked oatmeal high five your tastebuds come morning.
Source: Calorie Count
Vegan Chocolate Milkshake Smoothie
Think chocolate is off limits when you're trying to lose weight? Think again! This smoothie is delicious and follows the perfect weight-loss formula.
Source: Calorie Count