Easy Breakfast Ideas For Busy Actors

If you want to make it through that morning callback without your stomach rumbling like a thunderstorm, you need to start the day off with a quality meal– enter, my easy breakfast ideas.

If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for the perfect combination of fast, healthy and delicious that leaves you feeling full, happy and energetic well past noon.

The good news is I have already found a few great easy breakfast ideas! There is a little something for everyone — the breakfast bowl babe, the smoothie queen, and even the carb lover. (Yes, I said carbs.)

What Makes A Good Breakfast?

The ol’ actor’s life can get pretty busy, bouncing you between meetings, classes, auditions, shoots and events. So first things, first, a good breakfast is one you don’t skip! 

That being said, as tempting as cereal bars, mini muffins and danishes may be, packaged, processed food is a definite no-no.

You don’t have to sacrifice quality for speed when looking for easy breakfast ideas. You just want to incorporate these three elements: a healthy protein, complex carbohydrates and fruits and/or vegetables. 

Protein can absolutely be plant-based. Nuts, seeds, spinach, broccoli, quinoa, beans and chickpeas are all breakfast-friendly add-ins that also contain beneficial fiber. 

Complex carbs in smaller portions are great options, like brown rice, gluten-free oats, and quinoa. They’re naturally gluten-free (oats are naturally GF, but if not labeled as such they may be contaminated from non-GF products processed in the same place), nutrient dense, high in fiber and break down slower in your body, which leads to longer lasting energy without crazy sugar crashes. 

And by eating your carbs early in the day, you’ll have the extra fuel you need to kickstart a productive morning. 

My Top 5 Favorite Easy Breakfast Ideas

Here are my favorite high-energy, easy breakfast ideas to start your day off right.

Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding Overnight Breakfast

These are made just like overnight oats. These tiny ‘whole grains’ are usually grown organically, are non-GMO and naturally gluten-free. Despite their tiny size, chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are loaded with fiber, protein, Omega-3 fatty acids and various micronutrients plus a ton of antioxidants. ‘Nuff said.

INGREDIENTS:

3 Tbsp chia seeds

3/4 cup unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk

1/2 banana, chopped into small pieces

1/2 cup wild organic blueberries

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

drizzle of pure maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all your ingredients all together in small mason jar. You can puree it in a blender if you prefer, but I like the texture of the seeds, so I just shake the closed mason jar like crazy for a minute or so. Put in the fridge overnight.

Top with hemp seeds, walnuts, soaked almonds, berries, mango chunks or coconut flakes.

Easy 3-Ingredient Paleo Pancakes

These babies won’t fluff up like regular pancakes, but they still taste delicious. And you cannot beat a 3-ingredient recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

1 ripe banana

2 eggs

2 Tbsp almond butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mash banana in a large bowl.
2. Add eggs and almond butter. Whisk until mixture becomes a thick batter.
3. Pour batter onto a pan on medium to low heat with coconut oil or ghee.
4. Flip as they begin to brown.
5. Top with berries, banana slices, coconut flakes, walnuts.  If you’re going to use syrup, make sure it’s 100% pure organic maple syrup or just use raw honey.

Glorious Green Smoothie

Greens are one the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, and the number one food missing from the standard American diet.

INGREDIENTS:

(All ingredients are organic if possible!)

1 1/2 cups of coconut water (or use almond, rice or coconut milk for a creamier texture)

1/2 head of Romaine Lettuce (roughly chopped)

2-3 large leaves or 2 handfuls of pre-chopped Kale (leaves only, stalks removed)

1/2 large Cucumber (roughly chopped)

3 Celery stalks (roughly chopped)

1/2 Avocado (when in season)

1/2 – 1 lemon (if you don’t love lemon like me, you can use 1/2 – use knife to roughly peel the lemon, it’s ok if a bit of the white/peel is still on, seeds are okay)

1 medium apple (cored and roughly cut up)

1/2-1 frozen banana

1 Tbsp hemp oil (this will keep the greens from oxidizing quickly + a good healthy fat)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add water/milk to blender with romaine and blend on medium until mixed together.
2. Add in kale, cucumber and celery – a bit at a time if your blender is a bit slow, otherwise it will be angry. 😉
3. Then add lemon, apple and banana with hemp oil. Blend on med/high.

NOTES:

You may need to add more liquid depending on how thick or thin you like it. I sometimes add in a few ice cubes for a more smoothie texture, plus it’s way, way better when it’s really cold.

I interchange the apple portion depending on what I’m in the mood for – frozen mango, frozen pineapple, frozen blueberries etc. Use about 1/2 – 3/4 cup. Keep the fruit to a minimum though, so this stays a low sugar smoothie!

If you want it a little sweeter, add a few drops of Vanilla Stevia (with the lemon, it will taste like a lemon creamsicle!) or 1 Tbsp raw honey or organic maple syrup.

Store in glass mason jars in the fridge, and it will last for two days. Three days is pushing it, but I’ve done it. Transfer to smaller jars for a glorious grab and go snack option! You can also store the mason jars in the freezer for well over a week, transfer a jar to the fridge the night before so you can grab and go in the morning.

Egg-sential Sauteed Greens Breakfast

Get your greens with every meal! That is your new mantra. (Seeing a trend here? ;))

INGREDIENTS:

1 large handful of greens (kale, collards, spinach, dandelion greens or a mixture)

1 Tbsp of coconut oil

garlic to taste

salt and pepper

dash of red pepper flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash and dry your greens. Tear them into smaller bite-sized pieces. Remove any chunky stalks.
2. Saute in coconut oil until wilted and bright green.
3. Add seasoning.
4. Top with fried egg and sliced avocado.

I like to make crispy kale with a sunny side up egg, avocado and sauerkraut too. (Bubbies brand is the best!)

Soft-boiled Egg & Avocado

This baby is hot sauce approved!

INGREDIENTS:

2-4 organic eggs (I like to make 4 eggs at a time, so I can save two for the next day).

½ avocado

Optional add ins!

1-2 slices of gluten-free or whole-grain toast

Handful of arugula, spinach, or any greens of your liking.

Hot sauce of your choice or red pepper flakes

Sea salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add 4 eggs to boiling water. Boil for 6-7 minutes max.
2. If using bread, add your slices to the toaster or toast in an iron skillet.
3. As soon as the time is up, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl with ice water.
4. Wait at least 5 minutes.
5. Carefully peel your eggs under running water.
6. Place toast (and/or greens ) on the plate.
7. Slice avocado and season with salt and pepper.
8. Lay the egg (or eggs) on top of the toast or the avocado (or both!) and greens and cut open to release the gooey center.
9. Add in some heat with a few dashes of hot sauce or chili flakes.

Which one will you try first? What’s some of your favorite healthy, easy breakfast ideas? Let me know in the comments below, and post a pic of your next on-the-go power breakfast on Instagram and tag @moniquaplantewellness.

LOVE, sunny side up!