The SAT is possibly the most important test you’ll ever have to take. If you perform well, it will open up so many doors for your future. However, the test is very long, so you want to be able to persevere through it with lots of energy and without your stomach letting out a loud cry for help in the silent testing room. Carbohydrates provide short bursts of energy that eventually wear off. But, if you eat a high-protein breakfast consisting of eggs, meat, or nuts, it will give you sustained energy until the end of the long test. Here are some unique, high-protein options for healthy, before SAT breakfasts that will set you up for success.

Banana nut smoothie bowl

Smoothie:

• 2 large ripe bananas, cut into chunks and frozen
• ⅓ cup almond milk or yogurt
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon of your favourite nut butter (optional)

Toppings (choose any of the following):

• ½ ripe banana, sliced
• Other fruits
• Peanut butter
• Granola
• Unsalted cashews, toasted
• Rolled oats, toasted
• Unsweetened coconut ribbon, toasted
• Pumpkin seeds
• Flax seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Chia seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Cocoa nibs
• Honey or nut butter (for drizzling)

Instructions: In a food processor (or a reasonably powerful blender), blend the frozen bananas, almond milk, oats, and nut butter (if using) until smooth. Spoon into a bowl and top with fresh banana slices, nuts, seeds, coconut ribbon and cocoa nibs. Drizzle with a bit of honey or your favorite nut butter, to taste.

Avocado Toast:

• 1 Large Avocado (or 2 Small)
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• More Black Pepper
• 4 Slices Whole Wheat Bread

Instructions:

• Toast 4 slices of wholewheat bread.
• While the bread is toasting slice the avocado in half, remove the seed, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
• Mash it very well with a fork.
• Add sea salt and black pepper to taste.
• When the toast is ready, spread the mashed avocado generously onto each slice.
• Add more black pepper.
• Serve while toast is still hot!

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 large egg

1 cup whole milk can also substitute with buttermilk or sour cream

2 tbsp melted butter slightly cooled

2 small ripe bananas mashed, two small or one large banana

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

additional butter or oil for pan

Instructions

• Add egg, buttermilk, melted butter, mashed ripe banana, and vanilla extract to  a bowl. Stir to combine.
• Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Heat griddle on medium low heat and be sure to allow it to fully heat before adding pancake batter. Grease with butter or oil. Pour your banana pancakes. Because you’re cooking at a low temperature, allow pancakes to bubble around the edges before you flip. Once bubbly and golden brown on the bottom, flip only once, and allow to continue cooking until golden brown. Serve hot with additional butter and real maple syrup.

On-the-go Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients

• 4 Extra large or 5 large eggs
• Salt and pepper
• 2 Tbsp light cream or milk
• Optional: shredded cheese
• 1/3 c ground breakfast sausage
• Chopped veggies, about 1/2 c total
• Olive oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Grease your muffin tins or use cupcake liners
• In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs with salt, pepper, and cream. Stir in the cheese, if using.
• Heat olive oil in a saute pan; add meat until browned. Add veggies and cook until tender.
• Add veggie/meat mixture to eggs and stir.
• Ladle egg mixture into muffin tins, filling to 1/4 inch below the top.
• Bake 15-20 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the tops just start to lightly brown.

Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients

• 1/2 bag of tater tots about 2 cups
• 1 lb ground pork sausage I use hot
• 1/2 lb bacon
• 8 eggs scrambled
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 jalapeno diced
• 3 roma tomatoes seeded and diced
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 6-8 10 inch tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Prepare tater tots according to the package
• Heat a skillet on medium cook bacon until desired crispiness drain and set aside, let cool and chop into bite size pieces. In the same skillet drain the bacon fat and add the sausage, peppers and onions. Breaking the meat up with a spoon, cook until done about 6-7 minutes remove from pan and set aside.
• In a medium bowl whisk eggs and milk, season with salt and pepper. In a non stick skillet heat the butter up then add the egg mixture cook on medium low just until cooked, remove from heat. Always better to slightly undercook the eggs.
• In the middle of a flour tortilla add some cheese, then a couple tablespoons of the scrambled eggs. Followed by some bacon and some sausage, jalapeños, and onions.. Add a few tater tots and some fresh tomatoes and a pinch of cilantro then tuck the sides in and roll up the tortilla. Place on platter cover with a damp paper towel and pop into the microwave for just a few seconds to melt the cheese.