Skipping breakfast may not be a good idea if you want to operate at peak efficiency at work or in other areas of your life. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating breakfast gives you more energy and reduces hunger throughout the day. It’s also a key component in staying alert and sharp.

But many of us have skipped the first meal of the day because we just ran out of time. With a little creative breakfast meal prep, however, you can ensure you have enough time in the mornings to get a healthy start.

Here are five ideas you can use.

Keep Some Greek Yogurt On Hand

A popular choice of dietitians, Greek yogurt is ideal for those who need a quick meal without the hassle of cooking. Greek yogurt is low in sugar and calories, high in protein and is also loaded with calcium. The high-protein content means you’ll be full without eating a large meal. For extra flavor, consider adding granola or some fresh fruit, such as berries or a sliced banana.

Prepare Frozen Fruit Smoothies

When made with nutritious ingredients like yogurt, fresh fruit and milk, a fruit smoothie is a good option for those who are short on time. You can easily make a smoothie batch and store it in your freezer to be enjoyed throughout the week.

Freezing a smoothie batch in ice cube trays is also a convenient option. When you get up each morning, fill a glass with smoothie ice cubes. In about an hour they’ll be completely melted and ready for you to enjoy. You can also use a blender on your frozen smoothie cubes if you don’t have time to wait for them to melt.

Chop Fresh Vegetables For Omelets

An omelet is a nutritious meal that doesn’t take much time to prepare. But you can make it even quicker by chopping any fresh vegetables you want to include before you go to bed at night. The next morning, all of the prep work will be finished and you can enjoy a delicious omelet in minutes.

Freeze Whole-Grain Muffins

Muffins are a healthy way to start your day when they’re prepared with the ingredients like yogurt, whole-wheat flour and fresh blueberries (or plain, if you prefer). You can easily store a batch of muffins in the freezer for several weeks. Just warm one or two in the microwave each morning for a quick meal.

Make Breakfast Cookies

Who says you can’t have cookies for breakfast? You can if you prepare them with healthy ingredients and avoid adding sugar. There are many different recipes for these delicious cookies, but common ingredients include whole-grain flour, peanut butter, raisins, oats, ground flax seed and more. You can easily make a batch of breakfast cookies that will last all week.

Breakfast meal prep doesn’t take much time at all. But it can help you save a lot of valuable time in the mornings to ensure you start your day off the right way.

Consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.

Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.