Start Their Day With a Brain-Boosting Breakfast

Nothing's worse than going to prepare a meal and realizing that there's nothing in the cupboard. Catherine McCord's breakfast quesadillas grew out of a morning when she only had a few ingredients on hand. "There are three things that I always have on hand: eggs, tortillas, and cheese. They're all relatively inexpensive, last for weeks if properly refrigerated, and combined, make the perfect breakfast meal that will send your kids off to school with tons of energy for their day."

Oatmeal is a fiber-rich breakfast that helps keep kids satisfied until lunch. Unfortunately, it can take some time and care to prepare in the morning. Weelicious's oatmeal in the crockpot takes the time out of the equation because it can be prepared the night before. "I loved the idea of preparing something the night before that, no matter what time each of us fed ourselves in the morning, would seem totally fresh and special."

Protein, dairy, and whole grains in one easy-to-serve dish? Weelicious's ham and cheese muffins combine it all and can even be made in advance, frozen, and defrosted, as needed, each morning! "Make a batch of these muffins on a Sunday afternoon, freeze them, and you'll be so relieved every morning that you have to race out the door but need to feed the kids first."

As simple as rolling a banana in peanut butter and a tortilla, Weelicious's banana dog bites add protein, fiber, and potassium to little ones' morning routines!

Epicurious.com Editor in Chief Tanya Steele believes in grab-and-go breakfasts. "We love shortbread, but it's made with so much butter and white flour that was always a special-occasion treat in my household — until we developed this recipe, which uses almost exactly half and half all-purpose to whole wheat. We also reduced the sugar and the upshot is that these delicious crunch biscuits are only 81 calories a cookie. You can [also] dip them in semisweet chocolate, and give them as a lunchbox snack."

As the editor in chief of Epicurious.com, Tanya Steel's encountered picky eaters, moms who don't think they have time to cook, and those who are hesitant to introduce healthy foods to their kids. She loves this recipe for good day pear crisp because it tastes just like pie for breakfast (but it's healthier)! "At only 162 calories and 3 grams of saturated fat, it is a flavor-packed way for little ones to start the day," Steel says. "You can substitute apples for the pear (Granny Smith or Royal Gala are good varieties) and, in the Summer, stone fruit, like nectarines, plums, or apricots. It's seasonal, inexpensive, fast to make, and delicious to eat."