(BPT) – – Mom and grandma had it right: Providing your body with a meal at the beginning of the day can have a multitude of benefits, from keeping you in a good mood to preventing bad snack habits. To get the maximum effectiveness from your breakfast, it needs to be nutrition-packed. Of course, it’s just as important that what you eat to start the day is delicious.

Eating foods that provide a nutritional boost will help you today and in the long run. During your day, your body can rely on foods that provide “fuel,” keeping you energized, alert and feeling good. And as the years go by, those healthy habits will pay off, helping your body function better for longer.

Everyone knows that pleasing the palate is important – after all, if it doesn’t taste good, you won’t want to eat it. Luckily, many of the healthiest foods are flavorful, even in their simplest forms – that means a lot of taste with little effort. With that in mind, consider these options for quick, delicious breakfasts that pack a nutrition-rich punch.

* Toast with toppings – A simple slice of bread can be so much more than just that – Food For Life’s new Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Grain bread is far more than an average carbohydrate.  The bread itself covers two nutrition quadrants of the USDA’s “My Plate” – both grains and protein – and is available in a range of varieties, including the new flax option that delivers added Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids.  Top your nutrient-rich toast with avocado, fresh sliced tomatoes or hummus with a squeeze of lemon for a tasty start to the day.

* Steel-cut oats with super fruits – When you need a stick-to-your ribs morning meal, it’s hard to beat oatmeal. Steel-cut oats are minimally processed and offer a hearty texture. If you want to dress up your breakfast with some touches of sweetness, look to “super” fruits like fresh blueberries or dried goji berries, both of which are packed with vitamins.

* Breakfast sandwich – In most households, there are differing opinions on whether breakfast should be sweet or savory. Customizable breakfast sandwiches make for a simple solution that keeps everyone happy. Using a wholesome bread like Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Grain Bread provides the perfect backdrop for catering to your unique taste buds. The bread’s nutty, rich flavor complements everything from apples and honey to pears and almond butter (for sweet teeth) or smoked salmon with cucumbers and dill.

* Fruit-and-veggie smoothies – Pairing fruits and vegetables for a morning smoothie is easier than you might imagine. Greens or even raw beets can be blended with berries for added nutritional benefit, but with a flavor that’s fruit-forward and naturally sweet. Another popular combination is orange and carrot. Supplement your smoothie with a slice of protein-rich sprouted grain toast and you’ll have a complete meal that will keep you going.

It can be easy to fall into a routine of breakfast “blahs” with food that doesn’t fill you up and leaves your taste buds unimpressed. But by adding a few new items like Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Grain bread to your shopping list, you’ll have a whole new range of options for a tasty morning meal. For more information and ideas for nutritious eating, visit www.foodforlife.com.