32 Low-Carb Breakfasts to Help You Crush Your Weight-Loss Goals
Sweetened cereal, brown sugar oatmeal, pancakes with syrup, bagels, muffins, scones — these typical breakfast foods are so high in carbs and sugar that they spike your insulin levels. This not only makes it harder to dip into your fat stores to lose weight, but they also increase your cravings for more sugar-laden refined carbs, and may be the reason you feel tired and foggy-headed when you eat them.
Start your day with these low-carb recipes (with 40 grams or fewer) to help you cut down on carbs and sugar and crush your weight-loss goals.
Low-Sugar Berry Smoothie
If you're watching your carbs or trying to cut back on your sugar intake (even natural sugars), grab your blender and whip up this subtly sweet and creamy smoothie.
Calories: 303
Carbs: 25.7 grams
Protein: 22.3 grams
Get the recipe: berry smoothie
Gingerbread Chia Pudding
If you're obsessed with overnight oats but getting a little tired of them, then you must try overnight chia pudding.
Calories: 307
Carbs: 36.6 grams
Protein: 13.5 grams
Get the recipe: gingerbread chia pudding
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
If you're trying to cut back on cholesterol, this wholesome scramble of tofu, kale, sweet potato, and spices will do the trick.
Calories: 264
Carbs: 16.6 grams
Protein: 18.8 grams
Get the recipe: tofu scramble
Cauliflower Porridge
If you love oatmeal, you've got to try this version made with cauliflower. Sounds weird, but once cooked and flavored, it tastes remarkably like oatmeal — honest! This bowl is topped with fresh strawberries, pears, and chopped raw almonds.
Calories: 281
Carbs: 40 grams
Protein: 13.4 grams
Get the recipe: cauliflower porridge
Baked Eggs in Avocado
Baked eggs in avocado is a low-sugar, high-protein, and fiber-filled breakfast that will kick-start your day.
Calories: 449
Carbs: 18.1 grams
Protein: 15.2 grams
Get the recipe: baked eggs in avocado
Hard-Boiled Eggs With Avocado
Sometimes the simplest breakfast ideas are the best, like this low-carb combination of hard-boiled eggs and diced avocado.
Calories: 333
Carbs: 9.8 grams
Protein: 13.1 grams
Get the recipe: hard-boiled eggs with diced avocado
Clear-Skin Smoothie
Soothe and clear your skin from the inside out with this vitamin E-rich spinach avocado smoothie.
Calories: 309
Carbs: 25.5 grams
Protein: 8.1 grams
Get the recipe: spinach avocado smoothie
Roasted Veggies With Fried Egg
Not sure what to do with your leftover roasted veggies? Throw an egg on it! This breakfast option is a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet.
Calories: 349
Carbs: 19.4 grams
Protein: 21.8 grams
Get the recipe: roasted veggies with fried egg
Overnight Hemp Seed Cereal
For the overnight-oats-obsessed, here's a variation you have to try that's high in protein and lower in carbs!
Calories: 364
Carbs: 32.6 grams
Protein: 19.1 grams
Get the recipe: overnight hemp seed cereal
Egg White Frittata
Actress Lea Michele loves this produce-packed egg white frittata that fuels you with over 20 grams of protein per serving.
Calories: 300
Carbs: 11.2 grams
Protein: 21.6 grams
Get the recipe: egg white frittata
Veggie Frittata
Made with sweet cherry tomatoes, cubes of mozzarella cheese, black beans, and purple basil from my garden, this high-protein dish is bursting with savory flavor.
Calories: 378 for two pieces
Carbs: 34.4 grams
Protein: 26 grams
Get the recipe: veggie frittata
Cheesy Broccoli Bites
Warm, cheesy, and only 40 calories per serving, these satisfying bites, made with low-fat cottage cheese and Parmesan make a great low-carb breakfast.
Calories: 328 for eight servings
Carbs: 16.8 grams
Protein: 34.4 grams
Get the recipe: cheesy broccoli bites
Low-Calorie Chocolate Almond Smoothie
This simple, subtly sweet smoothie has your fudge cravings covered!
Calories: 306 for two servings
Carbs: 12.4 grams
Protein: 31.2 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate almond smoothie
Paleo Breakfast Bowl
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, this Paleo breakfast bowl takes 10 minutes to prepare and won't leave you reaching for a carb-filled pastry before lunch.
Calories: 335
Carbs: 5.4 grams
Protein: 22.7 grams
Get the recipe: Paleo breakfast bowl
Avocado and Cottage Cheese
For a quick, filling breakfast, spoon three tablespoons of cottage cheese into half an avocado, then drizzle with your favorite hot sauce. Pair this with a small protein smoothie or two scrambled eggs.
Calories: 141
Carbs: 5.9 grams
Protein: 6.8 grams
Get the recipe: avocado and cottage cheese
Gluten-Free Turkey Sausage Muffins
Make-ahead egg muffins packed with protein and free of flour? Genius! These low-cal and protein-packed turkey sausage muffins will save you tons of time in the morning and will leave you skipping fast-food muffins forever.
Calories: 300 for two muffins
Carbs: 4.6 grams
Protein: 24.6 grams
Get the recipe: turkey sausage muffins
Samoa Shake
The next time you have a Girl Scout cookie craving, you'll be glad that you have this recipe on hand. Adding cottage cheese makes this Samoa shake a creamy, healthy treat you can't resist.
Calories: 295
Carbs: 19.5 grams
Protein: 18.9 grams
Get the recipe: Samoa shake
Baked Eggs in Ham Cups
Put these easy ham cups in the oven in the morning when you get up, and you'll have a tasty and filling breakfast ready before you leave for work.
Calories: 327 for three cups
Carbs: 4.2 grams
Protein: 30.6 grams
Get the recipe: baked eggs in ham cups
Yogurt-Filled Cantaloupe
Fill half a cantaloupe with nonfat Greek yogurt and top with fruit, and you've got a quick, heart-healthy, low-carb meal.
Calories: 146
Carbs: 15.1 grams
Protein: 18.7 grams
Get the recipe: yogurt-filled cantaloupe
Protein-Packed Shakshuka
You might have had the popular Middle Eastern dish shakshuka before, but this version packs a real nutritional punch.
Calories: 339
Carbs: 31.6 grams
Protein: 20.1 grams
Get the recipe: protein-packed shakshuka
Quinoa Egg Bake With Thyme and Garlic
Have you ever thought about incorporating quinoa into your breakfast? This make-ahead quinoa egg bake will have you hooked.
Calories: 247
Carbs: 13.4 grams
Protein: 18.9 grams
Get the recipe: quinoa egg bake
Honeydew Protein Smoothie
This invigorating, dairy-free smoothie offers tons of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, perfect to keep you full all morning long and help you lose weight.
Calories: 353
Carbs: 33.8 grams
Protein: 36.4 grams
Get the recipe: honeydew protein smoothie
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Paleo-friendly, free of grains, and low in carbs, a slice of this hearty breakfast will energize you with its high protein content and keep you full until lunchtime rolls around.
Calories: 375
Carbs: 8.2 grams
Protein: 21.2 grams
Get the recipe: breakfast casserole
Bacon-Tomato Frittata
Instead of sticking to eggs baked in a ramekin, try baking them inside a tomato for added nutrients.
Calories: 328 for two tomatoes
Carbs: 10.6 grams
Protein: 20.4 grams
Get the recipe: Bacon-Tomato Frittata
Chocolate Almond Protein Bars
These chocolate almond protein bars are made with just five ingredients (plus salt and cinnamon for flavor), and you can whip them up in less than 20 minutes.
Calories: 332 for two bars
Carbs: 35.2 grams
Protein: 25.6 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate almond protein bars
Wheat-Free Pancakes
It's possible to give in to your pancake craving while still following a low-carb diet with these healthy wheat-free pancakes. The secret? They're made with almond meal and ground flax seed.
Calories: 324 for two pancakes
Carbs: 10.8 grams
Protein: 12.2 grams
Get the recipe: wheat-free pancakes
Chocolate Strawberry Banana Better-Sex Smoothie
If you're looking to have better sex tonight, whip up this smoothie made with libido-boosting foods. Pair it with two scrambled eggs for extra protein.
Calories: 234
Carbs: 37.7 grams
Protein: 4.7 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate strawberry smoothie
Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Avocado Breakfast Bowl
All you need are three ingredients and a microwave to make this filling breakfast bowl.
Calories: 317
Carbs: 20.7 grams
Protein: 18.2 grams
Get the recipe: tofu, avocado, and sweet potato breakfast bowl
Southwestern Tofu Scramble
With flavors like cumin, coriander, onion, pepper, and cilantro mingling together, this Southwestern tofu scramble will satisfy both vegans and and omnivores looking for a low-carb option that's anything but boring.
Calories: 270 for two servings
Carbs: 28.6 grams
Protein: 22.8 grams
Get the recipe: Southwestern tofu scramble
Slow-Cooker Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Gluten-free, protein-rich, and under 400 calories, this Mexican breakfast casserole is the perfect slow-cooked recipe to cook up on Sunday afternoon, slice up, and enjoy all week long.
Calories: 386
Carbs: 17.9 grams
Protein: 24.7 grams
Get the recipe: Mexican breakfast casserole
Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Bundles
Superfoods asparagus and salmon join forces to create an extremely simple yet delicious breakfast that you can make ahead and grab from your fridge in the morning.
Calories: 312 for three bundles
Carbs: 14.1 grams
Protein: 31.2 grams
Get the recipe: asparagus and salmon bundles
Italian Baked Eggs With Veggies
You really can't go wrong when you bake eggs in the oven with veggies, and this Italian-inspired recipe is low on calories and carbs but packed with flavor. It's one of Jessica Simpson's favorite weight-loss breakfasts!
Calories: 298 for two servings
Carbs: 25.8 grams
Protein: 21.6 grams
Get the recipe: Italian baked eggs with veggies