Skip to Content

Fry up these tasty links, free of chemical preservatives

39 packaged foods to kick start your workout—and your day.

by
Breakfastpinterest
Mitch Mandel

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us?

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Make sure the first meal of your day has protein, fat, and carbs to give you energy, keep you feeling full, and ramp up your metabolism. Even if you’re short on time, you can whip up a healthy, nutritious breakfast like this bowl of steel-cut oats (slide 5) with berries (slide 39), almonds (slide 4), and milk (slide 30).

Barbaras High Fiber Medley Advertisement - Continue Reading Below, were selected with help from our panel of experts: Alissa Rumsey, M.S., R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Kelley Pritchett, Ph.D., R.D., sports nutrition professor at Central Washington University; Emily Edison, M.S., R.D.; and Marni Sumbal, M.S., R.D. (Let RW help you start the day on the right foot! Get a carefully curated selection of our favorite items when you subscribe to the new Runner’s World Box.) 

Note: Runner's World editors independently select the products we feature. If you choose to purchase a product from one of our affiliate partners, we earn a commission from the sale, which helps fund all the other work we do.

1
Fry up these tasty links, free of chemical preservatives
Matt Rainey

Fry up these tasty links, free of chemical preservatives

Fry up these tasty links, free of chemical preservatives.

Buy it: Amazon · Applegate.com

2
Running in the Cold
Running in the Cold

Running in the Cold

Cured naturally with just salt and celery powder, this breakfast favorite is made with leaner pork shoulder so each crispy slice has about a third fewer fatty calories than “the other guy.”

Buy it: Amazon · Applegate.com

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
3
Barbara’s High Fiber Medley
Matt Rainey

Barbara’s High Fiber Medley

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.

Buy it: Amazon · Walmart

4
Blue Diamond Whole Natural Almonds
Matt Rainey

Blue Diamond Whole Natural Almonds

Studies show nut eaters tend to live longer, so toss these almonds onto cereal for a boost of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.

Buy it: Amazon · Walmart

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
5
Bob's Red Mill
Matt Rainey

Bob’s Red Mill Organic Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats

Published: Feb 28, 2017 8:35 AM EST.

Buy it: Amazon

6
Runners World Box
Matt Rainey

Runners World Box

This veggie-and-bean base adds vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron to your muy delicioso scramble. Also a great omelet filling.

Buy it: CleverFoodies.com

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
7
Crunchies Strawberries
Crunchies

Crunchies Strawberries

Freeze-drying preserves nutrients and flavor, and you can feel like an astronaut when you add these natural sweets to your oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, or trail mix.

Buy it: Amazon

8
Earnest Eats Hot & Fit Asia Blend
Matt Rainey

Earnest Eats Hot & Fit Asia Blend

This blend of nutritional powerhouses includes oats, quinoa, dried mango, almonds, and matcha green tea powder.

Buy it: Amazon

9
Toss mix right into the blender for a quick smoothie
Earthbound Farm

Toss mix right into the blender for a quick smoothie

Nutrition & Weight Loss.

Buy it: Amazon · Earthboundfarm.com

10
Jessica Ni Murphy, Managing Director
Matt Rainey

Jessica Ni Murphy, Managing Director

Runners World Box.

Buy it: Amazon · Walmart · Thrive Market

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
11
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Matt Rainey

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

This hot-sweet North African chili paste can punch up any sausage or plate of scrambled eggs. Try it in dips, soups, and atop grilled meats.

Buy it: Amazon

12
FAGE Total 2% Greek Yogurt
Matt Rainey

FAGE Total 2% Greek Yogurt

Load up on gut-friendly probiotics and protein with Greek yogurt. (The first ingredients should always be live cultures.)

“Fage yogurt is my breakfast 90 percent of the time. The texture is so good, and it has loads of protein.” —Shoes & Gear

Buy it: Amazon · USA.fage

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
13
Flapjacked
Flapjacked

Flapjacked Banana Hazelnut Protein Pancake and Baking Mix

Just add water to this mix of whole-grain oat flour and whey protein (along with real bananas and hazelnuts) for a nutrient-packed short stack.

Buy it: Amazon

14
Published: Feb 28, 2017 8:35 AM EST
Matt Rainey

Published: Feb 28, 2017 8:35 AM EST

These morning muffins are made with sprouted whole grains, known for the amino acid lysine (not often found in grains).

Buy it: Foodforlife.com

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
15
cream cheese
Franklin Foods

Toss mix right into the blender for a quick smoothie

What happens when Greek yogurt meets cream cheese? A higher protein spread with about half the fat and a little tang. Whipped for easy spreading, apply liberally to morning rounds or rye crackers and top with smoked salmon.

Buy it: FranklinFoods.com

16
Handosome Brook Farm
Matt Rainey

Handsome Brook Farm Pasture-Raised Eggs

Packed with protein and choline (to keep your brain sharp), these eggs, from pasture-raised chickens, tout high levels of vitamins E and D.

Buy it: HandsomeBrookFarm.com

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
17
Hilary’s Apple Maple Veggie Sausage
Matt Rainey

Hilary’s Apple Maple Veggie Sausage

With just the right amount of spices and maple sweetness, these plant-based patties are packed with flavor and have a real sausage texture.

Buy it: HilarysEatWell.com

18
CA Notice at Collection
Matt Rainey

CA Notice at Collection

Your muscles and midmorning hunger pangs will appreciate the 14 grams of protein in each half-cup serving.

Buy it: Amazon

scramble. Also a great omelet filling
19
Jones All-Natural Golden Brown Fully Cooked Chicken Sausage
Matt Rainey

Jones All-Natural Golden Brown Fully Cooked Chicken Sausage

Nuke these links, free of mystery ingredients for quality protein.

Buy it: JonesDairyFarm.com

20
This flavor-packed cereal has 14 grams of fiber
Matt Rainey

This flavor-packed cereal has 14 grams of fiber

Made from grass-fed cows for a rich and creamy spread.

Buy it: Kerrygoldusa.com

Headshot of Shoes & Gear.

Matthew Kadey, M.S. R.D. is a Canada-based registered dietitian and nutrition journalist with two decades of experience in reporting about food and nutrition for dozens of print and online publications. Kadey is the author of Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sports + Adventure. He is also an adventure cyclist and creator of several bikepacking routes in North America and beyond. Find him at matthewkadey.com, @rocketfuelfood

Watch Next
 
preview for HDM All Sections Playlist - Runners World US
scramble. Also a great omelet filling