As a vegetarian, you learn to scoff at people who question whether your diet provides sufficient protein.  Beans, eggs, dairy, fish (for those of us that are pescatarians), whole grains, tofu — the list goes on and on.  Sometimes, though, it can be difficult.  I find breakfast the most challenging.

I don’t want to eat eggs more than three times a week, and that includes when I eat eggs for lunch or dinner (which is far more often than I eat them for breakfast).  I have a package of Morningstar veggie sausages that I can nuke as I run out the door, but I rather eat those only on an absolutely necessary basis — they’re processed and greasy and salty and can’t be all that great for you.

A piece of fruit is always my go-to choice for “first” breakfast; something to fire up my metabolism and hold me over for an hour or so.  Late morning is when I have the real deal, typically around 10:30am.  It’s then that I’m really looking for something with protein and fiber and substance.  An egg over-easy with crunchy asparagus is a favorite of mine.  As are green smoothies.  But I tire of smoothies easily, and don’t often want them on consecutive days.

When Greek yogurt entered the mainstream several years ago, it was a game changer.  Since then, I’ve found second breakfast to be a cinch (even in an office setting).  Packed with tons of protein, I pair a couple heaping spoonfuls of Greek yogurt with a squeeze of honey, a handful of oats, and sliced fruit or berries.  A healthy yogurt parfait in a snap.

Today I opted for homemade museli: oats, goji berries, and cacao nibs.  Paired with Greek yogurt the museli made a gorgeous, nutritious breakfast.  Fresh sliced pineapple rounded out the meal.  Delish.

What do you eat for breakfast?  Share your (meat-free) protein and fiber fixes!