7 High-Protein Breakfasts to Power Your Morning (2024)

By Becky Duffett

During the hustle and bustle of a hectic week, getting a healthy dinner on the table starts to feel like mission impossible. But you can always win at breakfast. Fitbit dietitian and nutrition curriculum designer Tracy Morris wants you to wake up to a meal with at least20 grams of protein, to keep carb cravings and sugar crashes at bay. Which means a bowl of frosted cereal just isn’t going to cut it. And, surprisingly, neither will a couple of eggs—unless you add a sprinkle of cheese!

Here are some top sources of protein that sound appealing in the morning and will help get you to 20 grams.

• 7 oz Greek yogurt, plain, nonfat 20 grams protein
• ½ cup cottage cheese, low-fat14 grams protein
• 2 oz turkey sausage14 grams protein
• 2 large eggs13 grams protein
• 1 cup milk, nonfat8 grams protein
• 1 cup quinoa8 grams protein
• ½ cup black beans8 grams protein
• 2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter8 grams protein
• 1 oz cheddar cheese6 grams protein
• 1 whole-wheat English muffin6 grams protein
• 1 oz smoked salmon5 grams protein
• ½ cup oats 5 grams protein
• 1 slice whole-wheat bread3 grams protein

If you’ve got the ingredients, you still might be wondering what to do with them. Here are seven quick and easy ideas for high-protein breakfasts to power your morning.

Overnight Oats with Blueberries

½ cup oats + ½ cup Greek yogurt + ½ cup milk + 1 tablespoon chia seeds + ½ cup blueberries

395 calories, 25 grams protein per serving

For full recipes, check out6 Overnight Oat Recipes with Fresh Flavors to Try.

Cottage Cheese Toast

2 slices sprouted toast + ½ cup cottage cheese + ¼ avocado + 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

319 calories, 20 grams protein per serving

Smoked Salmon Bagel

½ whole-wheat bagel + 2 tablespoons cream cheese + 1 oz smoked salmon + ¼ cup alfalfa sprouts

314 calories, 20 grams protein per serving

Beany Breakfast Burritos

1 whole-wheat tortilla + 2 large eggs + ½ cup black beans + 2 tablespoons salsa fresca

Per serving: 332 calories, 21 grams protein

For the full recipe, check outSweet Potato & Black Bean Breakfast Burritos.

Turkey Sausage & Egg Sandwich

1 whole-wheat English muffin + 2 oz turkey sausage + 1 large egg + 1 oz cheddar + ½ cup baby spinach

393 calories, 29 grams protein per serving

Lemon & Chia Seed Muffins

335 calories, 20 grams protein per serving

For the full recipe, check out Lemon & Chia Seed Muffins.

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Shake

408 calories, 23 grams protein per serving

For the full recipe, check outChocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Shakes.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.