9 Great Breakfasts for People Using GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications

How to Cook It: Protein-Packed Oatmeal Cup

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If you’re taking an injectable GLP-1 weight loss drug like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), you may find yourself feeling less hungry in the morning. But it’s still a good idea to start the day with a solid breakfast, says Bonnie Newlin, RD, a dietitian based in Annapolis, Maryland.
“Establishing a regular breakfast routine can regulate your hunger cues and keep your energy levels steady throughout the day,” Newlin says.
Limiting saturated fats, which “are more difficult for the body’s enzymes to break down,” could help reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 medications, Newlin says. And if you’re not hungry, don’t force it: Have a smaller portion, or bump your breakfast back a little later in the morning. “You can always eat more later if you are still hungry,” she says.
Breakfasts that meet these guidelines don't have to be difficult. The following nine recipes are good ways to start.

The Ultimate High-Protein Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are naturally high in protein, but they also contain a decent amount of saturated fat, according to the USDA. This recipe limits saturated fat by mixing in low-fat cottage cheese. You can also opt for fat-free cottage cheese. The texture goes well with scrambled eggs and the swap adds a bit of calcium.
PREP TIME
5 minCOOK TIME
2 minTOTAL TIME
7 minIngredients
Directions
In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, salt, pepper, and chives, if using.
Place a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and egg mixture. With a spatula, slowly scrape eggs toward the middle of skillet as they set until mixture is cooked through, about 2 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
268total fat
19gsaturated fat
4.9gprotein
22gcarbohydrates
4gfiber
0gsugar
3.8gadded sugar
0gsodium
464mgTAGS:
Eggs, Dairy, Diabetes-Friendly, Gluten-free, Breakfast, Family-Friendly, Ketogenic Diet, Low-Carbohydrate, Vegetarian, Quick & EasyRate recipe
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Berry and Chia Overnight Oats
In this “set it and forget it” breakfast option, a mashed banana adds natural sweetness. Fresh berries are a great source of antioxidants, past research has shown, but frozen berries pack just as much nutritional value as fresh (and sometimes more)!
PREP TIME
5 minTOTAL TIME
4 hr 5 minIngredients
Directions
Combine milk, yogurt, oats, chia seeds, and banana in a mixing bowl and stir together well.
Divide oat mixture into 2 jars with lids. Top each with half the blueberries, strawberries, and walnuts.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
520total fat
17gsaturated fat
1.5gprotein
20gcarbohydrates
78gfiber
14gsugar
20gadded sugar
0gsodium
60mgTAGS:
Dairy, Tree Nuts, Anti-Inflammatory, Breakfast, Cholesterol-Conscious, Heart-Healthy, Gluten-free, High-Fiber, Low-Sodium, Mediterranean, VegetarianRate recipe
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Light and Fluffy Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Chances are, you love pancakes — only you may not love the way they make you feel hungry afterward. That's because most are high in processed carbs and low in fiber and protein. In this filling recipe, cottage cheese lends extra protein and rolled oats are used instead of flour, increasing the fiber, per USDA data, and making these pancakes gluten-free. Oats are naturally gluten-free, according to Beyond Celiac, but be sure to choose a brand labeled “gluten-free” if needed.
PREP TIME
5 minCOOK TIME
10 minTOTAL TIME
15 minIngredients
Directions
Place all ingredients except for oil in a blender or food processor and process on high until smooth, about 30–60 seconds.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium. Once hot, add some of the oil and cook small pancakes in batches until batter begins to bubble in the middle, about 1 minute. Flip and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute more. Serve with fresh fruit or toppings of your choosing.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
338total fat
16gsaturated fat
2.7gprotein
18gcarbohydrates
33gfiber
3.8gsugar
8.7gadded sugar
6.2gsodium
527mgTAGS:
Eggs, Dairy, Breakfast, Gluten-free, Family-Friendly, Vegetarian, Quick & EasyRate recipe
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Make-Ahead Veggie Breakfast Burrito
It’s hard to have a bad day when you start it with a warm, delicious breakfast burrito. This meal comes prewrapped, and is also a great way to add more vegetables to your morning meal, which often skimps on them. To keep it nutritious, lose the processed and cured meats and cut back on cheese, and instead bulk it up with bell pepper and spinach, or any other veggie you choose.
PREP TIME
5 minCOOK TIME
10 minTOTAL TIME
15 minIngredients
Directions
Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Add oil, then pepper, shallots, and garlic. Sauté until veggies are soft, 5–7 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook just until wilted, 1–2 minutes more.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk eggs with salt and pepper. Pour into skillet with vegetables and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until eggs are set, 3–5 minutes.
Evenly divide egg mixture among tortillas and top each with 2 tbsp of cheese. Fold tortilla over the mixture, fold in the sides and roll until completely closed.
Optional: If you prefer a crispier tortilla, lightly cook the finished breakfast burrito in a clean skillet until lightly browned, 1–2 minutes per side.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
501total fat
29gsaturated fat
8.1gprotein
27gcarbohydrates
33gfiber
3.9gsugar
6.4gadded sugar
2gsodium
729mgTips
To make this a great grab-and-go breakfast, make a batch ahead of time, allow them to cool, wrap them in plastic wrap, and then freeze them. Defrost the wrap overnight in the refrigerator and heat on high for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through, or heat in a skillet until heated through, 2–3 minutes per side.
TAGS:
Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, Breakfast, Family-Friendly, High-Protein, Mediterranean, Quick & Easy, VegetarianRate recipe
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Winter Citrus Yogurt Bowl
This protein-packed recipe pairs blood orange slices with Greek yogurt. You'll get about 25 g of protein from the cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt in one serving of this recipe, according to the USDA. Yogurt is a rich source of probiotic bacteria that can increase microbiome diversity and decrease inflammation, according to one study. Meanwhile, the citrus in blood oranges adds immune-bolstering vitamin C, according to Humanitas University.
PREP TIME
5 minTOTAL TIME
5 minIngredients
Directions
Divide yogurt into 2 serving bowls. Top each bowl with half the orange slices, granola, pepitas, and blueberries. Drizzle with honey if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
305total fat
6gsaturated fat
1.3gprotein
30gcarbohydrates
32gfiber
3.4gsugar
20gadded sugar
3.5gsodium
98mgTAGS:
Dairy, Tree Nuts, Breakfast, Diabetes-Friendly, Gluten-free, Heart-Healthy, Family-Friendly, High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Quick & Easy, VegetarianRate recipe
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Strawberry Cream Smoothie
This smoothie is thick, creamy, and high in protein thanks to one ingredient you won’t even taste: tofu! Silken tofu has a smooth texture that blends easily and adds more than 10 g of plant-based protein to each glass, per the USDA. Strawberries are low in calories and rich in antioxidants, and pack in plenty of healthy vitamin C. This smoothie is vegan-friendly and dairy-free, and tastes like a luxurious strawberry milkshake.
PREP TIME
5 minTOTAL TIME
5 minIngredients
Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and mix on high until completely smooth.
Divide between 2 glasses, and top with sliced strawberries, if using.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Serving size2½ cups
calories
313total fat
16gsaturated fat
1.3gprotein
21gcarbohydrates
23gfiber
4gsugar
9.7gadded sugar
1.5gsodium
194mgTAGS:
Soy, Diabetes-Friendly, Heart-Healthy, Mediterranean, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Vegan, High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory, Cholesterol-Conscious, Quick & Easy, Breakfast, BeverageRate recipe
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Egg and Avocado Toast
Want to make your traditional avocado toast even more satisfying? Add eggs! Enjoyed as a beautiful and nutritious breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this meal is more of an open-faced sandwich than a light breakfast dish. Plus, as the National Institutes of Health notes, eggs are a top source of choline, an essential nutrient for proper cell building and metabolism.
PREP TIME
3 minCOOK TIME
5 minTOTAL TIME
8 minIngredients
Directions
Toast bread to your desired doneness. Place toast on a serving plate and spread mayonnaise evenly over it.
Top toast with avocado and eggs and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Garnish with pepitas, if using, and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
336total fat
21gsaturated fat
4.5gprotein
16gcarbohydrates
20gfiber
4.4gsugar
4.2gadded sugar
3gsodium
369mgTAGS:
Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Diabetes-Friendly, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Low-Carbohydrate, Quick & Easy, Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerRate recipe
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Almond Butter Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats shine in this creamy oatmeal dish as a source of soluble fiber in the form of beta-glucans (per the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), which can help to decrease the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and promote good gut and digestive health. This recipe can be doubled or tripled to make a batch that will last a few days or feed a larger household.
PREP TIME
5 minCOOK TIME
25 minTOTAL TIME
30 minIngredients
Directions
Place a medium pot over high heat and add the soy milk. Bring just to a boil and stir in the oats.
Return to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in the almond butter and salt.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Serving size1 ½ cups
calories
356total fat
13gsaturated fat
1.2gprotein
16gcarbohydrates
46gfiber
12.1gsugar
7.6gadded sugar
0gsodium
196mgTAGS:
Soy, Tree Nuts, Diabetes-Friendly, Heart-Healthy, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, High-Fiber, Anti-Inflammatory, Cholesterol-Conscious, Family-Friendly, BreakfastRate recipe
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Make-Ahead Egg Casserole
This egg casserole is not only quick and easy to make, but it can also be assembled the night before for a prep-free morning. Packed with veggies and flavor, this simple dish is high in protein and fiber for the perfect and filling start to your day! This dish is so versatile, it could also make for a delicious lunch or dinner.
PREP TIME
10 minCOOK TIME
50 minTOTAL TIME
1 hrIngredients
Directions
Place eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, potatoes, and onion, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent, 5–7 minutes.
Add mushrooms and bell pepper and cook until the peppers are tender, about 5 minutes more.
Remove from heat. Spray the bottom and edges of a baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the veggie mixture into a baking dish. Top evenly with spinach and pour in the egg mixture. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the casserole until the eggs are set, 40–50 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
439total fat
23gsaturated fat
5.9gprotein
25gcarbohydrates
33gfiber
4.5gsugar
7gadded sugar
0gsodium
520mgTAGS:
Eggs, Dairy, Mediterranean, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory, Family-Friendly, Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerRate recipe
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The Takeaway
- GLP-1 weight loss medications can throw your eating routines out of whack, which makes it an especially good idea to start your day with a healthy breakfast — even if it’s only a small one.
- Prioritizing fiber and protein, two crucial nutrients, sets you up for weight loss success. Limiting saturated fat could help your belly feel better, too.
- Preparing an easy healthy breakfast at home is a great way to start your day off on the right foot.

Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES
Medical Reviewer
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.

Jill Waldbieser
Author
- McCarthy D, Berg A. Weight Loss Strategies and the Risk of Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss. Nutrients. July 20, 2021.