Eggs With Soldiers - Image Courtesy Food Network Magazine

Mom was right when she said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what you choose for breakfast can make or break your day (sorry, bacon didn’t make the list). Here are our top 8 foods that help make your morning meal a healthy one.

Nonfat Greek Yogurt
With more hunger-fighting protein than traditional yogurt, it’ll keep those mid-morning hunger pangs at bay. Learn to make your own, or try our top Greek yogurt picks.

Oatmeal
Start your day off with a warm bowl of oatmeal — choose rolled or steel cut oats.
Skip the sugary packets and add a little sweetness with dried fruit,
applesauce or a touch of honey or brown sugar. Use your slow cooker to make getting a healthy breakfast even simpler.

Berries
Toss blueberries, strawberries and raspberries on cold cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes or French toast. Berries are high in an anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which may help reduce heart disease and diabetes, and improve eyesight and short-term memory.

Peanut Butter
Need a quick protein boost in the morning? Spread a tablespoon of the stuff on whole grain bread, add to a smoothie, mix into oatmeal or spread on apple slices. Remember to choose the natural kind to keep sugar under control.

Eggs
Easy and versatile, eggs contain vitamins A and D and the antioxidant lutein for healthy skin and eyes. Scrambled, soft-boiled, poached or over easy, serve with whole-grain toast for a stay-with-you breakfast.

Flaxseeds
Sprinkle flaxseeds on yogurt, oatmeal or blend in your morning smoothie or muffin batter. This high-powered seed adds extras omega-3 fat, fiber and protein.

Cottage Cheese
Top low-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit for an on-the-go breakfast that will leave you satisfied. Packed with 16 grams of hunger-fighting protein and only 1 gram of fat, it’ll help get your day started.

Whole-Grain Cereal
A bowl of whole grain cereal and low-fat or skim milk takes only minutes to put together. But watch out for whole grain cereal boobie traps, like high calories and sugar. See which popular brands reigned supreme in our cereal taste test.

TELL US: What do you eat to start your day?

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby’s full bio »

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