9 High-Energy Breakfasts to Start the Day

Supercharge your day with breakfast foods that help sustain your energy levels and keep you fit.

Example of what a high-energy breakfast is: a yogurt parfait with fresh berries, orange juice and a cup of coffee.

Medically reviewed in March 2023

Crazy-busy mornings can make you feel like food is a luxury you can't afford. But slowing down for a meal can have big benefits. Eating a healthy breakfast can help control cravings and keep you from overeating later.  

If you need something to eat across a variety of circumstances, try fueling up with these nine high-energy breakfasts. They have lots of fiber to control cravings, protein to help trim appetite, and a dab of healthy fat to keep you full for hours. 

Brown bag it

Need a quick meal to take along in the car, bus, or train? Grab a stick of string cheese, a slice of whole-wheat bread, and 1 cup of seedless red grapes. 

212 calories, 10 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 7 g fat, 17 g sugar, 3 g fiber 

Blender bliss 

Throw everything here into the blender and whip up a delicious, high-energy breakfast smoothie: one small banana, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt, 1/2 tablespoon honey, 1/2 tablespoon flaxseed oil. 

 357 calories, 15 g protein, 71 g carbohydrate, 7 g fat, 47 g sugar, 5 g fiber 

Grab and go 

On even the craziest mornings, there's still time to prime your body with this fast-and-healthy food: a pear or apple, a handful of almonds and seven low-fat Triscuits. 

392 calories, 10 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat, 18 g sugar, 12 g fiber 

Desktop parfait 

Not ready to eat at the crack of dawn? Take something for later. At home, alternate layers of low-fat vanilla yogurt (1 cup) with 1 cup sliced strawberries in a clear plastic container. Put 1/4 cup Grape-Nuts cereal or low-sugar granola in a baggie and sprinkle on top when you get to work. 

253 calories, 10 g protein, 53 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fat, 28 g sugar, 7 g fiber 

Morning mini-meeting 

Even if your meeting's casual enough to let you eat while you work, it's best to opt for quiet food. Try half a peanut butter sandwich on whole-wheat bread, a banana, and a half-pint carton of skim milk. 

349 calories, 17 g protein, 50 g carbohydrate, 9 g fat, 28 g sugar, 6 g fiber 

Before or after workout 

This simple homemade trail mix will get you going: 1 cup Cheerios, 7 walnut halves, 2 tablespoons raisins, and a sliced medium apple. 

317 calories, 5 g protein, 55 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat, 23 g sugar, 8 g fiber 

Convenience stop 

Even mini-marts and delis have some healthy, high-energy breakfast foods. Snag a low-fat yogurt, a small orange juice, and a single-serving box of whole-grain cereal. 

316 calories, 11 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat, 25 g sugar, 5 g fiber 

The drive-through dash 

Not a first choice, but better than nada. At Dunkin' Donuts, get half of a wheat bagel, a small OJ and a half-pint of 1% milk. 

343 calories, 18 g protein, 70 g carbohydrate, 5 g fat, 24 g sugar, 2 g fiber 

Slow Sundays 

At last, there's time to savor the day—and the meal. Start with half a grapefruit. Scramble a large egg with some sauteed veggies and crumbled turkey sausage. Serve with a slice of whole-wheat toast. Relax and enjoy.

355 calories, 19 g protein, 39 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat, 12 g sugars, 6 g fiber

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