Balance that java buzz with these delicious and healthy bites. <p>Getty Images/Courtesy of Brand</p> Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia
Perhaps you hit snooze one (okay, three) more times than you would have liked. Maybe you’re a couple of days behind on your Instacart order and are fresh out of eggs and oatmeal. Or perhaps you’re at the airport around dawn to catch a flight and catch your stomach growling, too.
Sure, you could simply skip breakfast . But science proves that this can not only increase cravings and feelings of anxiety throughout the day but might also decrease calorie burn, lead to brain fog, impact sleep quality and, over time and in extreme cases, spike risk for nutrient deficiencies and eating disorders.
Instead, dietitians wholeheartedly approve of grabbing your morning meal to-go. Places ranging from McDonald’s to Subway to Starbucks all have solid options. Quite possibly your best bet for a stop?
“Starbucks is my favorite place to grab breakfast on the road,” reveals Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., RDN , founder of Nutrition Starring YOU and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook . “It offers some great options to jump-start the day with nutrient-dense foods like protein, whole grains and produce.”
Homemade is “just always going to be better,” according to Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN , a Dobbs Ferry, New York-based dietitian and author of Everyday Snack Tray ; since it’s fresh, it doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives, you know exactly what went into it, and it’s far more affordable. However, skipping breakfast entirely or drinking coffee and calling that “breakfast” can actually negatively impact your health in the long run.
“No single meal or food choice stands on its own,” Harris-Pincus confirms. “We need to look at how these meals contribute to our overall diets and lifestyles. I’d rather someone choose one of these options than skip breakfast altogether. Any meal with protein, produce and fiber provides important nutrients.”
Related: The 4 Best Low-Sugar Starbucks Drinks for People with Diabetes
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