3 Brain-Boosting Breakfasts to Set You Up for a Successful Day

What we eat in the morning can set us up for improved focus and energy.

You’ve likely been told that starting your day with a nutritious meal can help boost your energy, but a growing body of science in the field of cognitive nutrition shows that our food choices can even benefit our brain health. This food-brain connection can play a role in our focus, and can affect how we respond to stress and anxiety. Tess Bredesen, Thrive's Cognitive Nutrition Director, says our food choices have a direct effect on our brain health and our focus –– and we can build healthy nutrition habits starting with our first meal of the day: breakfast. 

Need some recipe inspiration? Here are three of Tess’s favorite breakfasts to help set you up for a successful day: 

Loaded Veggie Scramble

Starting your day with a vitamin-packed breakfast that includes protein and fiber can help give you a boost of energy and focus in the morning. This recipe yields three servings, so you can cook for your partner or kids, too. Combine your eggs with vegetables of your choice (Tess recommends yellow onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach), and then whisk together in a skillet over high heat. Serve with sliced avocado or crumbled feta cheese if you’d like! 

Blissful Berry Smoothie

Creamy yogurt and sweet berries blend together in this recipe to make the perfect summer drink. This is a great breakfast option if you're on the go or don't have time to cook something on the stove. All you need is half a cup of frozen mixed berries, one banana, ¾ cup of yogurt, and 1 cup of almond milk. Place all the ingredients in your blender and blend! 

Broccoli and Feta Frittata

This breakfast is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamin-packed spices to help you start your day on the right note. You can customize it based on your vegetable preferences, but broccoli and onion are great options. Whisk together your eggs with almond milk and garlic before adding in your vegetables, and then bake it at 400 degrees until the eggs are set.