What a Nutritionist Gives Her Kids for a Healthy Breakfast on Crazy-Busy Weekdays
You can definitely replicate this in your own home.

After we spent a morning filming registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, with her family, one truth became clear: Nutritionists are human, too. They look for ways to take care of their bodies despite their busy schedules, treat themselves occasionally, and deal with picky eaters in their homes. (Nutritionists: they’re just like us.)
Like all parents, they too have to navigate the chaotic morning routine with their kids. Without resorting to marshmallow-speckled cereal or frosted toaster pastries with sprinkles, how do nutritionists find time to provide a healthy breakfast for the kids?
Sitting down for a nutritious breakfast is mandatory—“no ifs, ands, or buts about it”—in Largeman-Roth’s home in Brooklyn, New York.
Largeman-Roth gives her kids more than one option in the morning, which may reduce picky eating by allowing kids to feel like they have some autonomy over what’s on their plate.
But don’t let them pick anything and everything from the fridge: “Never offer more than three things,” advises Largeman-Roth. “If you give kids more than that, then they can’t make a choice. They find it very, very difficult.” (Decision fatigue is real—at any age.)
Sounds too complicated? Think again. Remember, healthy doesn’t have to mean fancy or time-consuming. These are some of Largeman-Roth’s favorite breakfasts for kids:
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Whole-grain cereal
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Yogurt
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Milk
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Fresh fruit
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Hard-boiled eggs
Wondering where all the trendy smoothie bowls, chia puddings, and frittatas are? Come back on a Saturday. “We save the fancier stuff for the weekend,” says Largeman-Roth. Check out how she makes gluten-free waffles for a special breakfast.
Need more breakfast tips?
Frances Largeman-Roth is a nutritionist and cookbook author in New York City.
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I get the kids up at 7 AM.
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Sometimes it takes a couple of tries,
honestly.
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But by 7:15, they are definitely
upstairs and we are sitting down for
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a healthy breakfast.
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No ifs and or buts.
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They have to have a nutritious breakfast
before they head out to school.
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That can be a variety of things, you know,
but never offer more than three things.
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Because if you give kids more than that,
then they can't make a choice.
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[LAUGH] They find it very, very difficult.
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We always have cereal, whole grain cereal.
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We always have yogurt.
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I like to offer whole milk, because they
tend to feel more satisfied with that.
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And then, always fresh fruit,
always color on the table, and
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then maybe something
like hard boiled eggs.
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But we save the fancier stuff for
the weekend.
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