Monitoring your cholesterol levels can be extremely helpful in maintaining a healthy heart. Though it sometimes gets a bad rap, cholesterol is produced naturally in our bodies because we need it to make vitamins and hormones that benefit our health. However, it’s important to consider the type of cholesterol you have. High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels increase your risk of heart disease, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels help protect you from heart disease.
These recipes are made with delicious ingredients that may also improve your heart health by raising HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol levels. They also contain at least 6 grams of fiber per serving and are low in saturated fat. With tasty options like Creamy Blueberry Pecan Oatmeal and Grain Bowl with Spinach and Fried Egg, these breakfasts are sure to get you excited to start your morning.
Creamy Blueberry Pecan Oatmeal
In this satisfying on-the-go oatmeal recipe, protein-rich Greek yogurt, crunchy pecans and sweet berries make the perfect healthy breakfast. Short on time in the morning? Try this variation of overnight oats.
Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster
This easy fruit smoothie recipe requires just three ingredients: yogurt, fruit juice, and frozen fruit. Combine fruit every day for a healthy breakfast or snack that you’ll never tire of.
Apple pie style overnight oats
There’s no better way to usher in fall than with a bowl of apple pie-inspired overnight oats in the morning. Prepare this easy breakfast ahead of time and store it so you can have it any time of the day for busy work or school mornings. You can also use non-dairy milk in place of the low-fat milk, or try kefir if you want to add some tang to your oatmeal.
Grain bowl with spinach and fried egg
A whole grain with a nutty taste and a delightful bite, wheat kernels are the base of this hearty breakfast bowl recipe. High-fiber grains freeze extremely well, so prepare a batch and store them in salads, bowls, and more. Topped with spinach, peanuts, and eggs, this bowl makes a satisfying breakfast. For extra heat, sprinkle on some crushed red pepper.
Banana cream pie overnight oats
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daly
Start your day with a breakfast treat. These layered overnight oats are flavored with the perfect blend of banana, cinnamon and vanilla. Serve with crushed graham crackers just before serving to give this easy breakfast a pie-like appeal.
Anti-inflammatory Lemon Blueberry Smoothie
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
The kale, hemp seeds, and green tea in this vibrant lemon-flavored smoothie are all packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. If you can’t get hold of baby kale, you can substitute baby spinach. The banana adds a natural sweetness, and if you want it a little sweeter, a splash of honey is all you need.
Triple Berry Blended Oats
Photographer: Bree Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
The oatmeal blends well with the berries and provides plenty of fiber for this easy breakfast. Old-fashioned rolled oats are best for blending because they soften, absorb the liquid, and give the dish a creamy, indulgent texture. If you use frozen berries, prepare them ahead of time by crushing them in a blender first before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Anti-inflammatory Strawberry Passion Fruit Green Smoothie
Photographer: Stacey K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
This anti-inflammatory smoothie gets its vibrant tropical flavor from frozen passion fruit pieces, available in the frozen fruit section of most well-stocked supermarkets and natural foods stores.
Caramel Apple Overnight Oats
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield
This easy, meal-prep recipe captures all the flavor of caramel apples and brings them to breakfast. Applesauce keeps the texture creamy and light, balancing the sweet and tart flavor of the oats. Crushed honey roasted peanuts mimic the caramel apple coating, but any salty and sweet nuts would work well.
Black Bean and Chipotle Tostadas with Crème Fraiche
If you love breakfast burritos or huevos rancheros, you’ll love these tostadas, made with seasoned black beans piled into a crispy tortilla and topped with scrambled eggs, served with salsa and hot sauce.
Apple Cinnamon Muesli
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Adeline Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Muesli is a Swiss breakfast cereal made with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit that are soaked in liquid overnight to soften them. This version is loaded with apples from the applesauce, apple juice, and fresh apple toppings, with a touch of cinnamon to add warmth to the flavor.
Anti-Inflammatory Cherry, Beet, and Kale Smoothie
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Kale, cherries, and beets are combined in this powerful anti-inflammatory smoothie. These three fruits and vegetables contain unique anti-inflammatory compounds that may help prevent diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
High Fiber Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oats
Start your day healthy with raspberry vanilla overnight oatmeal. This easy breakfast has 8 grams of fiber and kefir-derived probiotics to support a healthy digestive system. This easy breakfast is best served with sweet, fresh raspberries, but you can also use your favorite berries or fresh chopped fruit.
Microwave poached eggs and beans breakfast
In Costa Rica, this popular breakfast bean dish is called gallo pinto, which means speckled rooster, so named because it contains dark beans nestled among pale rice. We use cooked barley here, but you can use any cooked grain you have on hand.
Overnight Oatmeal with Dates and Pine Nuts
Chopped dates, honey and cinnamon give these overnight oats a natural sweetness, while pine nuts add balance to every bite.
Fig and Ricotta Oatmeal
With sweet figs, creamy ricotta and crunchy almonds, this healthy oatmeal recipe is the perfect breakfast. Short on time in the morning? Try this variation of overnight oats.
Peanut butter and chia berry jam English muffin
The addition of chia seeds to this easy “jam” topping adds heart-healthy omega-3s to this healthy breakfast recipe.
Coconut Mango Oats
Transform plain oatmeal with this easy 5-minute breakfast idea. Add in some toasted coconut, vanilla extract, and fresh (or frozen) mango for extra flavor. We use oat milk here, but feel free to swap out for non-dairy or other plant-based unsweetened milk.
Pecan butter and pear toast
For a quick breakfast or snack, try this three-ingredient toast. The pecan butter adds a nutty flavor that balances the natural sweetness of the pear.
Mango Raspberry Smoothie
A squeeze of lemon juice adds bright flavor to this frozen fruit smoothie, and the mango is sweet enough without added juice, but if it’s too tart, a bit of agave syrup will do the trick.
