How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (2024)

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (1)

by Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

February 16, 20166 comments

Protein. You know you need it. But do you know how much you need, when to eat it, and all the places you can get it from? While most Americans are getting enough total protein, it’s thetimingof the protein where a lot of people fall short. It’s easy to remember to put a chicken breast on your dinner plate, but how about protein at breakfast?

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (2)

Photo credit: MilkLife

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast

Post sponsored by my friends at MilkLife. Written 100% by me.

Many nutrition experts now recommend getting 25-30 grams protein before noon, however, Americans average only 13 grams,. The good news is that with a little planning and pantry stocking, you can reach the 25-gram of protein at breakfast goal with simple, balanced meals that don’t take a lot of time to prepare, from make-ahead to grab and go. In fact, one of the simplest and most delicious ways to boost protein in the morning is with an 8-ounce glass of milk, which provides 8 grams of high-quality protein. And lattes made with real milk count, too! Hurray. Milk also counts when it’s in your cereal bowl or added to recipes.

These are some of my favorite (and most delicious) morning meals and snacks that provide at least 25 grams of protein at breakfast when paired with a glass of milk before noon to help keep you fuller longer, satisfied and energized to power your through your morning.

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (3)

Breakfast Combo 1

Avocado Toast with an Egg

  • 1 slice sprouted grain toast topped with 1/3 sliced and mashed avocado
  • Topped with sliced hard boiled egg
  • 8-ounce glass of milk
  • Handful of grapes

+a.m. snack

  • 1/2 cup in-shell pistachios with a couple dried apricots

= 25 g protein before noon

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (4)

Photo credit: MilkLife

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (5)

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Breakfast Combo 2

Mini Protein Frittatas

+a.m. snack

  • 1 sliced apple dipped in 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter

= 26.5 g protein before noon

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (6)

Photo credit: MilkLife

Breakfast Combo 3

Protein Overnight Oats

a.m. snack

  • 1 (5.3-ounce cup) Greek yogurt

= 30 g protein before noon

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (7)Breakfast Combo 4:Protein Fruit Smoothie

Ginger-Orange Smoothie with Almond Butter sprinkled with 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

+a.m. snack

  • 1/4 cup dry roasted mixed nuts
  • 8-ounce glass of milk

= 29 grams protein

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (8)Breakfast Combo 5

Hummus Toast

  • Sprouted grain toast spread with 1/4 cup hummus
  • 1 hard-boiled egg (I like to drizzle mine with a touch of olive oil)
  • 8-ounce glass of milk
  • 1 kiwi

+a.m. snack

1/4 cup almonds

1 medium pear

= 21 g protein before noon

There you have it. Not painful. In fact, easy and delicious. Next time you’re looking for simple ways to boost your morning protein, think milk, nuts, seeds, eggs, yogurt true whole grains, and hummus. Yum.

You might also enjoy:

For a high protein lunch:Try mySpicekick Tuna Salad Seasoning Mix

Visit Milklife.com for more recipes and tips to help you reach your protein goal

My Grab-and-Go Mini Breakfast Casseroles with Spinach–16 g protein per serving

Banana Quinoa Cakes

What We Eat in America, NHANES 2009-2010.

2 Layman D. Dietary guidelines should reflect new understandings about adult protein needs. Nutr Metab. 2009; 6: 12.

Recipes, Trending

6 Comments

  1. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (9)Marley Kent says:

    March 25, 2022 at 11:16 pm

    What can you do in place of milk and eggs?

    Reply

    1. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (10)Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist says:

      November 3, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      Hi Marley, if you are looking for vegan options, soy milk could be a good replacement, since it has 9 grams protein. Instead of tofu, you could do a sautéed tempeh or tofu scramble, adding some veggies in there, too. Yum.

      Good luck!
      Michelle

      Reply

  2. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (11)Kate C. says:

    May 11, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    Can you substitute 1 % chocolate milk?
    Can you substitute cottage cheese for yogurt? (2%)
    Can you substitute canned fruits packed in their natural juices?
    Do you have to eat continually throughout the day? A good breakfast fills me up. I rarely get “hungry” when mealtime comes. I drink lots of water.

    Reply

    1. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (12)Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist says:

      November 3, 2022 at 5:21 pm

      Hi Kate,
      Yes, to all of your good questions. Except if you don’t feel hungry if you got filled up from breakfast, it’s okay to wait until you feel hungry again. (Someone with diabetes medications would have special considerations, however.)

      Reply

  3. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (13)Sandie Heath says:

    May 14, 2022 at 5:03 pm

    Just what I’ve been looking for! Hopefully you’ll
    Include lunch and dinner vegetarian and vegan protein menus.

    Reply

    1. How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (14)Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist says:

      November 3, 2022 at 5:19 pm

      That is a good idea for a future article, Sandie. Thanks!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

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How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD (2024)

FAQs

How to Get 25 Grams of Protein at Breakfast | Michelle Dudash, RD? ›

You can get a 25-gram helping of protein from a small portion of meat, four hard-boiled eggs, or a cup of lentils. Check out the graphic for more examples from the plant and animal kingdoms. Vitals is a new blog from Lifehacker all about health and fitness.

How to eat 25 grams of protein for breakfast? ›

20-30 grams of protein for breakfast ideas
  1. High-Protein Breakfast Bowl. Heat 1 tbsp. ...
  2. Steak and Eggs. ...
  3. Sweet Potato Salmon Avocado Toast. ...
  4. Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon. ...
  5. Strawberry Milkshake with Collagen. ...
  6. Chocolate Coconut Smoothie Bowl. ...
  7. Bulletproof Coffee with Collagen Protein.
Jun 8, 2020

What can I eat for 25g of protein? ›

25g Protein Foods
  • Chicken breast 110 gr.
  • Steak 125 gr.
  • Salmon 125 gr.
  • Greek yoghurt 270.
  • Lentils 95 gr.
  • Beans 110 gr.
Jun 5, 2020

How can I get 30g of protein first thing in the morning? ›

Step One: Eat 30 Grams of Protein
  1. Three scrambled eggs, topped with cheese.
  2. A fruit smoothie made with protein powder.
  3. Greek yogurt topped with nuts.
  4. Cottage cheese with pineapple.
  5. High protein bread topped with nut butter or eggs and cheese.
  6. A bowl of quinoa topped with tofu, eggs, beans, or cheese.
Nov 27, 2023

What is equivalent to 25 grams of protein? ›

You can get a 25-gram helping of protein from a small portion of meat, four hard-boiled eggs, or a cup of lentils. Check out the graphic for more examples from the plant and animal kingdoms. Vitals is a new blog from Lifehacker all about health and fitness.

What does 30g protein breakfast look like? ›

Here is a list of foods that provide roughly 30 grams of protein: 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (opt for unsweetened and add your own toppings) 1 cup cottage cheese. 5 large eggs, or 2-3 eggs mixed with extra egg whites.

What does a 20g protein breakfast look like? ›

A breakfast burrito is about as easy to whip up as scrambled eggs. Throw a cup of black beans into a burrito with 2 tablespoons of shredded Mexican blend cheese, dress it up with salsa and you've got yourself a 20 gram protein breakfast in minutes.

What is a 25g protein snack? ›

Greek Yogurt Topped With Walnuts An Apple

Top it with 2-3 tablespoons of crushed walnuts and eat it with sliced apples and you have a snack packed with 25 grams of protein.

What is a good protein for breakfast? ›

There are a variety of ways you can add protein to your breakfast; some of the best protein-rich breakfast ingredients are eggs, nuts, nut butter, beans, and cheese. Whether you're a savory food lover or you have a sweet tooth, there's a protein-rich breakfast option for you! U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Is peanut butter high in protein? ›

They're rich in protein and healthy fat, and they're calorie-dense. Two tablespoons, or 32 grams, of peanut butter gives you 7.2 grams of protein. Peanut butter also contains: fiber.

What is a high-protein breakfast to lose belly fat? ›

Here are a few examples of high-protein breakfasts that can help you lose weight: Scrambled eggs: with veggies, fried in coconut oil or olive oil. An omelette: with cottage cheese and spinach (my personal favorite). Stir-fried tofu: with kale and dairy-free cheese.

How many eggs to get 30g of protein? ›

Five hard-boiled eggs will get you 30 grams of protein (6 grams per egg). Eggs are one of the most popular high-protein breakfast foods and provide essential fats. If you're not interested in the yolks and want to only use the egg white for protein, you'll need about eight of them to yield the same 30 grams of protein.

What is a high-protein meal in the morning? ›

Two eggs provide 12 grams of protein while three tablespoons of hemp seeds provide 10 grams; together they easily provide one-third of your daily protein needs. Other healthy high-protein breakfast foods include: Low-fat Greek yogurt. Whole wheat bread with nut butter.

What should I eat for 25g of protein? ›

Egg/Egg Whites: Make an omelette with 1 egg and 3/4 cup egg whites for a total of 26 grams of protein. Lentil Pasta: 4.2oz of lentil pasta will result in 25 grams of protein and a delicious dinner! Greek Yogurt: A breakfast or snack favourite. 1 cup or 250 grams will give you a full 25 grams of protein.

What do 25 grams of protein look like for breakfast? ›

Yogurt Bowl

1 cup plain greek yogurt (or cottage cheese) – 23 grams (can be up to 30 with cottage cheese!) 1 tbsp peanut butter – 4 grams (or 1 oz nuts/seeds, or all of the above!) You could also add a peach donut in there for more flavor and protein!

What is a sample of 25 grams of protein? ›

Sample Meals and Snacks with 25 Grams of Protein

One cup of Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds and berries. Two eggs with one slice of whole-grain toast and avocado. Grilled chicken breast with a side salad and sliced avocado. Vegetable omelet made with three eggs and sautéed veggies.

What is the 30g protein breakfast myth? ›

Protein myth: the body can only absorb 30g protein per meal

According to research, the human body can absorb a virtually unlimited amount of protein.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for protein? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

How many eggs for 30 grams of protein? ›

Five hard-boiled eggs will get you 30 grams of protein (6 grams per egg). Eggs are one of the most popular high-protein breakfast foods and provide essential fats. If you're not interested in the yolks and want to only use the egg white for protein, you'll need about eight of them to yield the same 30 grams of protein.

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