Nutritionists Pick Their 6 Favorite Packaged Breakfasts

In an ideal world, I would wake up every morning and have a leisurely breakfast with fresh coffee and a homemade veggie omelet. But in the real world, my mornings are usually crazy, and I grab a packaged breakfast item while running out the door.

While I’m a huge advocate for cooking meals and eating whole foods, some of the foods on supermarket shelves are great options for healthy eating in a hurry. That’s why I asked some fellow nutritionists for their picks for eating a healthy breakfast on the go. Here’s what they had to say, with some of my own picks thrown in!

Dave’s Killer Bread Bagels

If I’m running out the door and know I have to run later in the day, I will usually take a few minutes to throw a bagel in the toaster. But these Dave’s Killer Bread bagels are a step up from your carb-loaded bagels because each one has at least 10 grams of protein and contains plenty of whole grains. That means they will keep you full all morning and give you energy for your run later in the day.

Red’s Turkey, Sausage, Egg, And Cheese Burrito

“Looking for a breakfast burrito that won’t leave you with a food coma the rest of your day? Skip the takeout and grab a few of Red’s burritos instead. Their Turkey Sausage, Egg and Three Cheese option packs 13 grams of high-quality protein with only four grams of saturated fat, making it a hearty breakfast that should fill you up until your next snack or meal. Plus, it’s made with cage-free eggs, hormone-free turkey and an ingredient list you can pronounce!” –Elizabeth Ann Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT

Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups

If I’m going somewhere that I know has hot water or a microwave (like the office or a hotel room), I will bring one of these convenient oatmeal cups with me. Not only do they come in delicious flavors like Blueberry Hazelnut, they also have a no-added-sugar variety with flax and chia. Each one has around seven grams of protein and is made with plenty of healthy ingredients, like flax and chia. These little gluten-free cups will keep you full and energized all morning long.

RXBAR

“As a busy mom with young children, I don’t have time to sit down for breakfast. I love to grab RX bars because of their simple ingredients–mainly nuts, fruit, egg whites, and spices. Each bar has 12 grams of protein and three grams of fiber, so it satisfies my hunger in the morning. My favorite flavors are maple sea salt and peanut butter for the morning and chocolate peanut butter for an afternoon snack.” –Jenny Shea Rawn, MS, RD

Garden Lite Muffins

“The first ingredient is always a veggie in these surprisingly delicious muffins. Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, just 120 calories each and contain four grams of protein. In other words, you can eat more than one! My favorite flavor is the blueberry oat, and I love to add a little nut or seed butter for added protein and healthy fat.” –Shannon A. Garcia, MDS, RD 

Chobani Less Sugar

For my strength-training days, I like to add a little more protein to my breakfast. This new product by Chobani is one of my favorites because it has just nine grams of sugar and 12 grams of protein (similar to two hard-boiled eggs), and it comes in awesome flavors like Alphonso Mango. Plus, you can throw it in your bag with a spoon and eat on your way to work. An easy, protein-filled breakfast on the go!