Boosting your productivity isn’t just about willpower and organization; it has a lot to do with what you eat, too. Eat the wrong foods and you’ll feel sluggish and experience brain fog. But eat the right foods, and you’ll be able to boost your brain power by as much as 20%. Combine the right food groups with exercise and sleep, and you’ll be feeling your sharpest. Here are eight breakfasts to keep you humming through your workday.
1. Yogurt with Granola
Packed with protein, yogurt aids healthy brain function. And when you combine yogurt with walnuts and berries along with fiber and whole grains, you’ll notice that your mental performance improve. This is because walnuts contain healthy fats and berries contain antioxidants. What’s more, whole grains are slowly digested. This makes them a sustainable fuel for your body.
Ingredients
- 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup high fiber cereal
- 2 tablespoons walnuts
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup berries
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve
2. Berry Banana Smoothie
Smoothies are easy to make for breakfast. They’re ready in just a few minutes. Packed with protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants, this smoothie recipe will keep you on your toes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy milk
- 1 cup of frozen berries
- 1/2 banana sliced
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
Directions
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth
3. Lox on Toast
Did you know that salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help brain cells communicate better? Better yet, when combined with cottage cheese and whole grain bread, this breakfast of champions will keep you clear-headed.
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole wheat toast
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 2 slices red onions
- 2 oz. smoked salmon
- 2 oz. orange juice
Directions
- Top the whole wheat toast with cottage cheese, onion, and salmon
- Serve with orange juice
4. Waffles with Fruit
This delicious breakfast combo might not taste healthy, but it actually is, especially if you ditch the syrup. Whole wheat waffles combined with berries, yogurt, and flaxseed fill your mind with necessary protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and antioxidants to power you
Ingredients
- 2 whole grain waffles
- 1/2 cup frozen berries
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
Directions
- Toast the waffles in a toaster
- Top with berries, yogurt, and flaxseed
5. DIY Muesli
By combining plain oats with raisins, apples, and almonds, your brain will receive a
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw oats
- 3 tablespoons raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped apple
- 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
- 8 oz. Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- Honey
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients together
- Serve immediately
6. Egg and Vegetable Sandwich
Eggs are the perfect brain food: They contain large amounts of protein and complete amino acids. This sandwich combines eggs with healthy fats such as olive oil and spinach, which contains antioxidants. Serve with an apple for even more fiber and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 whole wheat English muffin
- 1 slice swiss cheese
- 1 slice tomato
- Spinach
- 1 apple
Directions
- Fry eggs in olive oil
- Toast English muffin and fill with cheese, tomato, spinach, and the fried eggs
- Serve with an apple
7. Egg and Cheese Quesadilla
You might not think eating a quesadilla is a healthy breakfast choice, but this wrap is unique: It contains healthy fats and antioxidants, as well as filling fiber and protein. These will keep away hunger pangs and boost your productivity.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 8-inch whole wheat tortilla
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup salsa
Directions
- Scramble the eggs in olive oil
- Fill the tortilla with feta and eggs (fold in half and heat in a skillet until the cheese melts)
- Top with yogurt and salsa
- Serve with orange juice
8. Whole Wheat Pancakes
Traditional breakfasts can still taste healthy and boost your productivity. These whole wheat pancakes are filled with protein and fiber, which are good for your mind and keep you feeling full. Top with fruit and nuts for an extra boost of healthy fats and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 large eggs
- cups milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
Directions
- In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together
- Add wet ingredients
- Mix well with a spoon until everything is blended together
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat
- Lightly spray skillet with cooking oil to coat
- Pour roughly 1/4 cup pancake batter
- Flip pancakes when they begin to bubble and their edges set
- Top with nuts and bananas or berries
