You already know that there is no better way to start your day than with a healthy breakfast. Unfortunately, many people skip breakfast because they are trying to lose weight or are in a rush in the morning. Eating a nutritious breakfast actually helps kick start your metabolism and promote satiety in the morning, which is helpful strategy for weight control. In addition, eating a high-fiber breakfast can also play a role in helping people lower their cholesterol.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people consume about 25-30 grams of fiber each day from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Starting your day with a high fiber, heart healthy breakfast can go a long way toward meeting these recommendations. In addition, foods with soluble fiber can, such as oatmeal, help lower cholesterol levels as part of diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Listed below are some delicious and nutritious breakfast options available that are not only good for your heart, but are also easy to prepare when you are in a hurry.

• Add fresh fruit, such as chopped apples, sliced bananas, or whole berries to a bowl of Quaker Instant Oatmeal Take Heart.
• Spread fat free cream cheese and fresh fruit preserves or reduced fat peanut butter and slices of banana on a whole grain bagel.
• Serve whole-wheat pancakes or waffles topped with fresh fruit preserves. For an extra fiber boost, try mixing finely chopped apples or berries to the pancake batter before cooking.
• Top nonfat yogurt with your favorite fresh berries, and crunchy homemade granola.
• Stuff a whole-wheat pita pocket with fat free cottage cheese and slices of tomato or pineapple.
• Make a healthier omelet by using a cholesterol-free egg substitute instead of eggs and filling it with chopped onion, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, and fat free cheese and topped with salsa. You can also add a couple slices of whole-wheat toast on the side for some extra fiber.
• When choosing a cold breakfast cereal, look for whole grain cereals that contain at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Add a sliced banana, apple, or berries to your cereal for extra fiber.
• Make a batch of your favorite whole grain muffins and enjoy one with a piece of fresh fruit and a glass of orange juice or skim milk.
• Create a breakfast smoothie by combining nonfat yogurt, strawberries, bananas, blueberries or other fresh fruit in a blender. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, try adding some oats to help thicken it and add fiber at the same time.