It’s difficult to sacrifice time spent sleeping to wake up and make a healthy breakfast. Most people want to crawl out of bed as late as possible, and then slip out the door to work or class. But, it’s important to eat a balanced meal in the morning. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

At Reynolds and Reynolds, you can swing by the cafeteria to purchase breakfast sandwiches, fruit, oatmeal, and many other healthy foods before the workday begins. If you want to bring a breakfast from home, try mixing and matching a few of these healthy options:

1. Muffins

Muffins are filling, portable, and can be eaten either at room temperature, or warmed up in a microwave. They are easy to carry out the door, or can be slipped into a plastic bag and thrown into a purse or briefcase.

2. Fruit

Most fruits have their own natural packaging, so it’s easy to grab-and-go. An orange, apple, or banana can be eaten almost anywhere, and doesn’t require much space to transport.

3. Peanut Butter Crackers

If you’re looking for something more filling, you want to look at items that advertise protein. Peanut butter is a good place to start, but can be hard to travel with. An easy peanut butter breakfast can be found in peanut butter cracker packages. You have to be careful where you store them, as the crackers can break, but they are easy to grab while running out the door.

4. Protein Shakes

If you get hungry easily and need early-morning meal replacements, check your local store for its protein powder selection. You can pour the protein powder in a bottle the night before, then add water when you get to work for a filling breakfast shake.

5. Granola Bars/Breakfast Bars

Another to-go breakfast can be found in the granola bar isle. Both breakfast bars and granola bars are great for people on the move. You can find them in a variety of flavors, so you won’t get tired of eating the same thing every day.

6. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt was rated as the no. 2 breakfast food by Health.com, falling only behind oatmeal. It comes in many varieties such as whipped, or flavored, and has benefits for digestion. Greek yogurt also includes plenty of calcium and protein to help keep you feeling full throughout the morning.

7. Whole-Wheat Blueberry Bars

From our previous meal series, we featured a whole-wheat breakfast bar that can be eaten on your way out the door. These breakfast bars are healthy and easy to make for a week full of busy mornings.

8. Smoothies

Smoothies can be prepared for the week on a Sunday afternoon, and then blended the morning of work. Different flavors have different nutritional benefits, so you can enjoy fun summertime flavors, or fill your smoothie with vitamin C to help defend yourself from flu season. Check out SimplyQuinoa.com for a few easy smoothie ideas!

Living a busy life doesn’t mean you have to compromise your nutrition. Look at the ingredients in your food, purchase items you know will work for your lifestyle, and go conquer the day’s challenges with an alert mind, and a full stomach.