If you read our last blog, “Is Living Off-Campus Right For You?”, you know that getting breakfast when you live off-campus can be hard, especially when you’re rushing to get out the door in a sleep-deprived haze. Nevertheless, eating a proper breakfast is possible, no matter how little time or energy you have. Here’s some quick breakfast ideas that you can take with you to class, regardless of whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or eat gluten-free.
Attribution: The Huffington Post
1. Toast – The beautiful thing about toast is that you can put almost anything on it. Butter? Peanut butter? Bananas? Jelly? Hardboiled egg? Avocado? Throw it on! Toast requires about 3 minutes to make, is almost impossible to screw up, and can be consumed in the car, on the bus, in the subway, or during class. The only things you need to eat it are your fingers, and possibly a napkin, if you’re consuming it at your desk. Additionally, it works for basically everybody, as you can always substitute the classic white bread for a gluten-free or whole wheat option, and the topping can be tailored to your diet. Depending on what you top it with, you actually can get some pretty decent nutrition out of it – the bread can provide you with carbs, and toppings like peanut butter will give your body protein. Take a look at what you have in the fridge for toppings, and don’t be afraid to mix and match.
Attribution: Food Network
2. Nut and Fruit Mix – Remember when you went hiking as a kid and your mother brought along trail mix? You were probably expecting to eat the mix with candy and peanuts in it, but you likely got the one with cashews, raisins, dried cranberries, and pecans instead. Well, it turns out that the same mix you ate then can also be used as an on-the-go breakfast in college. It’s healthy, requires no cooking, and can be eaten during your 8 a.m. lecture without attracting the attention of your professor or TA. If you have the time, you can also add other types of dried fruit and nuts to give your diet some variety, because honestly, you’ll probably end up eating this a few times per week.
Attribution: Today
3. Smoothies – While smoothies aren’t necessarily the most time-efficient option, they are relatively quick to make, can be very nutritious, and are difficult to mess up. The key to a good breakfast smoothie is to use healthy ingredients. Grab some frozen fruit out of your freezer, some ice, and possibly a scoop of protein powder, and bam, you have breakfast. You can also use milk or almond milk in your smoothie, add peanut butter, almond butter, honey, or nutella, and add a handful of spinach or some avocado. No matter what you decide to put in it, smoothies make a great on-the-go option, and can be easily carried and consumed while commuting or taking notes.
Attribution: Food Network
4. Parfaits – Parfaits might sound too fancy to be easy, but they can make a remarkably quick and healthy breakfast option. Grab a solo cup, tupperware container, or bowl. Put in some yogurt or a vegan alternative in your container. Then find some fruit, both frozen and fresh will work. Add that to the yogurt. Finally, find some granola, or another type of grain that works for you. Add it to the bowl or cup and stir with a plastic spoon. Breakfast is served! By placing some plastic wrap over the container, you will have an easily portable breakfast that can be eaten on public transportation or on campus.
Attribution: Food Network
5. Breakfast Burritos – Breakfast burritos are the ultimate breakfast item, because you can make them as complicated or simple as you want. Have the time to make scrambled eggs and sausage? Add some cheese and put it in a whole wheat tortilla. Have about 30 seconds before you take a brisk morning jog to the bus stop? Slap some peanut butter and banana slices on that tortilla, and you’re good to go. Burritos and wraps are easy to make, portable, and much like toast, can use basically anything in your fridge as a topping.
Read over our ideas, but still want more help? Consider checking out our resource pages, where we collect articles, blog posts, and more on topics related to off-campus housing for tenants, parents, and landlords!
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