Cinnamon Cottage Cheese With Sliced Apple

Sprinkle ¾ cup nonfat or low-fat cottage cheese with cinnamon and serve with 1 sliced apple for scooping. The cottage cheese is heavy on protein and light on artery-clogging fat, and a sprinkling of cinnamon helps jazz up the taste.

250 calories, 25 g protein, 2 g fat, 36 g carb, 5 g fiber

Choose a Protein-Rich Breakfast

Choose a Protein-Rich Breakfast

A morning meal can refuel your body after a night of rest, satisfy your appetite so you’re less likely to graze later, and prime you to make healthy food choices throughout the rest of your day. But not all breakfasts are up to the task: Eating a substantial, protein-rich breakfast fills you up and keeps you full, so you end up eating less during the afternoon and evening hours. Plus, research shows that including protein at breakfast is critical to successful weight loss. Here are some sound, protein-packed meals to power up your day.

Waffles with ricotta and peaches

Waffles with ricotta and peaches

Top a whole-grain waffle with ½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese and 1 sliced peach. (When peaches are no longer in season, feel free to substitute canned peaches or ½ cup crushed pineapple; always choose fruit that’s canned in its own juice rather than syrup.) The creamy ricotta cheese provides protein and calcium.

300 calories, 15 g protein, 13 g fat, 38 g carb, 6 g fiber

Quinoa Yogurt Parfait

Quinoa-yogurt parfait

Quinoa is higher in protein than most whole grains, so it’s a great choice at breakfast. Layer ½ cup cooked quinoa, a 6-ounce container of nonfat yogurt, 1 small chopped apple, and a dash of cinnamon.

315 calories, 20 g protein, 2 g fat, 55 g carb, 7 g fiber

Breakfast BLT

Breakfast BLT

Here’s a healthy version of a classic sandwich. Toast a whole-grain English muffin and use it as a base. Top each half with a thin spread of low-fat mayo, a slice of warmed Canadian bacon (a lean, heart-smart replacement for fatty pork bacon), and plenty of lettuce and sliced tomato. If you prefer, you can swap out the Canadian bacon for 4 strips of turkey bacon.

205 calories, 16 g protein, 4 g fat, 30 g carb, 3 g fiber

Greek Yogurt with Fruit

Greek yogurt with fruit

Greek yogurt has twice as much protein as traditional yogurt, so it’s the perfect foundation for a substantial morning meal. Enjoy a 6-ounce container of nonfat Greek yogurt (plain or flavored) topped with 1 tablespoon chopped, toasted nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, or any other variety) or 1 to 2 tablespoons crunchy whole-grain cereal, and add half a banana, 1/2 cup berries, an orange or another piece of fruit on the side.

260 calories, 22 g protein, 5 g fat, 38 g carb, 3 g fiber

Berry Protein Smoothie

Berry protein smoothie

Combine ¾ cup milk (skim, 1% low-fat, soy or almond), ½ a banana, a 6-ounce container nonfat plain Greek yogurt, ¾ cup fresh or frozen berries, and a few ice cubes in a blender.

265 calories, 25 g protein, 1 g fat, 40 g carb, 4 g fiber

Spinach-Cheese Egg Scramble

Spinach-cheese egg scramble

Give your morning eggs a nutrition makeover! Sauté a few handfuls of baby spinach in oil spray, then add in 1 whole egg whipped with 2 to 3 egg whites. (I use mostly egg whites to cut back on the saturated fat and calories and bump up the protein.) Sprinkle with ¼ cup shredded reduced-fat cheese and scramble away! Enjoy with half a grapefruit on the side.

330 calories, 29 g protein, 11 g fat, 32 g carb, 7 g fiber

Garden Veggie Omelet

Garden veggie omeletWhip up an omelet with 1 whole egg and 2 to 3 egg whites, then stuff it full of your favorite veggies, like spinach, onion, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, even zucchini…plus any seasonings you like. When it’s seasonal, I like to mix in plenty of chopped basil too. Enjoy with a piece of whole-grain toast spread with a teaspoon of almond, cashew, or peanut butter for healthy fat. If you prefer, substitute a piece of fruit or 1 cup fresh fruit salad for the toast.

280 calories, 27 g protein, 9 g fat, 26 g carb, 5 g fiber

Cinnamon Cottage Cheese with Sliced Apple

Cinnamon Cottage Cheese With Sliced Apple

Sprinkle ¾ cup nonfat or low-fat cottage cheese with cinnamon and serve with 1 sliced apple for scooping. The cottage cheese is heavy on protein and light on artery-clogging fat, and a sprinkling of cinnamon helps jazz up the taste.

250 calories, 25 g protein, 2 g fat, 36 g carb, 5 g fiber