Grab-and-Go Oatmeal Breakfast Jars

We all know that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. If you take part in an intense cross-training or a sprint-interval workout in the early morning, breakfast becomes a vital part of your day. That's because eating breakfast after a workout helps replenish and restore the energy you used during your training. For me, the trick to keeping me full after burning so many calories is finding the right breakfast.

My trick? Oatmeal jars. I can pack several on the weekend and grab one on my way out the door in the morning. When I get to work, I fill the pre-made oatmeal jar with 3/4 cup of water, microwave for 2-3 minutes in 30-second intervals, stir, wait about 3-5 minutes to cool, then devour. The ingredients listed below work well because they are shelf-stable, taste great, and pack in antioxidants, protein, and whole grains—the perfect post-workout mix.

The Basic Recipe: Makes 1 serving

• 16 oz wide mouth canning jar
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup freeze dried berries
• 1 tablespoons dried coconut chips
• 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
• 1 teaspoon chia/flaxseed mix

If you’re looking for a different flavor profile, you could also throw in the following instead: 1 tablespoon of PB2 with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of nuts with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 cup of freeze dried bananas with 1 tablespoon of nuts. Have any more suggestions? Tell us in the comments below!

See more: Oatmeal Recipes 

You can also find this recipe on the Cooking Light Diet.