It's time to go through your 4th of July weekend checklist. Flags? Check. Grill? Check. Fireworks? Check. Breakfast? Yikes.
If you've got guests for the holiday weekend, you might be looking to create a delicious, healthy, early-morning meal in a short amount of time. We asked our favorite nutritionists what they make when they need to feed a crowd with a tasty, yet healthy breakfast in a pinch. We’ve even included some patriotic ones in case you want to keep the American spirit going. Check out the suggestions below and start your holiday weekend (and your day!) the right way.
Grilled Vegetable Scramble
"Cook a little extra at your barbecue. Zucchini, eggplant, onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes -- grill up a tray of tender, smoky-flavored veggies. The next morning, chop away and stir your favorites into a giant saute pan of scrambled eggs (and eggwhites with reduced-fat cheese) or into a frittata, which you can also prepare the night before and simply slice and warm for breakfast!"
--Cheryl Forberg, RD, nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser," James Beard award-winning chef
--Cheryl Forberg, RD, nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser," James Beard award-winning chef
Whole-Wheat Blueberry Muffins
"With blueberries coming into peak season, I love to do grab-and-go whole-wheat blueberry muffins. I use 100 percent whole wheat flour for extra nutrients, and I make the batter in advance so I can just heat them up fresh."
--Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, co-author of The Real Skinny: Appetite for Health’s 101 Fat Habits & Slim Solutions
--Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, co-author of The Real Skinny: Appetite for Health’s 101 Fat Habits & Slim Solutions
Canadian Bacon Wrapped Egg Cups
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"I'm having visitors and making two muffin tins full of my Canadian bacon baked eggs. Muffin tins make for perfect portions!"
--Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD, co-author of The Real Skinny: Appetite for Health’s 101 Fat Habits & Slim Solutions
--Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD, co-author of The Real Skinny: Appetite for Health’s 101 Fat Habits & Slim Solutions
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Patriotic Parfaits
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"[Serve] large bowls of vanilla Greek-style yogurt with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, and you are ready for a patriotic breakfast!"
--Cheryl Forberg
--Cheryl Forberg
Summer Oatmeal Bar
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"I love the options to be easy so I can enjoy the get together instead of being cooped up in the kitchen! Soak rolled oats in milk and vanilla overnight. Put it out with pretty mini-serving bowls and a variety of chopped summer fruit, chopped nuts, nut butters, shredded coconut, cinnamon, agave, honey, chia seeds." You can use red and blue raspberries to make this breakfast more festive!
--Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN
--Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN
Fruit Salad
"Strawberries, watermelon, cherries, mango, peaches, blueberries, raspberries are all in season right now. I pre-cut the fruit the night before. Serve with Greek yogurt, ground flaxseeds or wheatgerm for healthy fats."--Katherine Brooking
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Buckwheat Waffles
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"If you have a Belgian waffle maker, it can make a large waffle that you can divide into fourths. Keep them in the oven until the guest is ready and top with fresh peaches." [Editor's Note: You can even prep the batter the day or night before and refrigerate.]
--Angela Ginn-Meadow, RD, LDN, CDE
--Angela Ginn-Meadow, RD, LDN, CDE