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What are the Different Types of Vegetarian Breakfast?

B. Miller
B. Miller

A vegetarian breakfast can vary depending on the strictness of the diet. Some vegetarians, known as lacto-ovo vegetarians, avoid meat but still eat eggs and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. A stricter vegetarian, or a vegan, might completely avoid animal products altogether. A vegetarian breakfast can still be healthy and delicious while satisfying special dietary needs.

A lacto-ovo vegetarian has a number of vegetarian breakfast options. Eggs may be cooked in any favorite way, including scrambled, sunny-side up, hard boiled, or over-easy, among others. One might choose to create an omelette and add vegetables and cheese for extra flavor; salsa can make an especially good omelette. Adding black beans can add additional protein and fiber as well.

A bowl of yogurt.
A bowl of yogurt.

Of course, cereal with milk is always an option as well, and the milk can be replaced with soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk for a vegan alternative. Granola or wheat germ may be added to yogurt as well for some additional benefits. For a vegetarian breakfast that is completely free of animal products, oatmeal can be a great choice and contains some protein, which is important. Try adding fruit to the oatmeal such as blueberries or strawberries, or topping it with some wheat germ, cinnamon, brown sugar, or honey.

Beans can easily add protein to vegetarian breakfasts.
Beans can easily add protein to vegetarian breakfasts.

Vegetarian breakfast meats can be found in many grocery stores as well. These are designed to taste like sausage or bacon, for example, but are really made from soy, and are completely free of animal products. If one prefers a vegetarian breakfast made of baked goods, there are a number of recipes to be found in cookbooks and online that substitute animal products with tofu and soy milk. Tofu can be scrambled with vegetables and seasonings for breakfast as well.

Milk may be substituted with soy milk.
Milk may be substituted with soy milk.

A simple breakfast of fruit can be a great vegetarian breakfast as well, or a fruit smoothie made with soy milk. Additions like protein powder, flax, wheat germ, or even spinach can be added to the smoothie, and often cannot be tasted at all. These additions will help to ensure that one's breakfast is healthy, nutritionally complete, and provides energy throughout the entire day. One might also choose to take a multivitamin supplement with breakfast as well.

Creating a vegetarian breakfast may require a bit of creativity. It is important to eat breakfast every day, however, in order to boost metabolism and energy levels. Trying different things every day can be a great way to discover new favorites.

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

I so prefer almond milk to soy milk. Soy just tastes weird, while almond milk is much more neutral. It's better on cereal and "in" things.

I couldn't be a full time vegetarian, even though I do a good many meatless meals. I have to have eggs and cheese to cook. Soy cheese doesn't get it, for me. It's icky.

I'd probably want to make my own granola. It's not that difficult to make and that way, you know exactly what's in it. If someone isn’t a complete vegan, then biscuits aren’t off the menu either, as long as you eat them with jam and not ham.

Scrbblchick

My husband eats a vegan sausage that's pretty good. He gets the spicy variety, which really is tasty. The fake bacon is so-so, but the sausage is pretty tasty.

Many vegetarians load up on fruit and soy yogurt for breakfast. Some people even use soft, silken tofu, scramble it like eggs and then add extras like mushrooms, spinach and soy cheese.

You can do a vegetarian breakfast if you're really interested in thinking outside the cereal and soy milk box. But you might have to plan ahead, do some shopping ahead of time and be willing to work a little harder for it.

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    • A bowl of yogurt.
      A bowl of yogurt.
    • Beans can easily add protein to vegetarian breakfasts.
      By: tfazevedo
      Beans can easily add protein to vegetarian breakfasts.
    • Milk may be substituted with soy milk.
      By: 3dsguru
      Milk may be substituted with soy milk.
    • Tofu can be used in vegetarian breakfasts.
      By: Jiri Hera
      Tofu can be used in vegetarian breakfasts.
    • Mushrooms are frequently used as crepe fillings.
      By: daffodilred
      Mushrooms are frequently used as crepe fillings.
    • Blueberries make a tasty, nutritious oatmeal topping.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Blueberries make a tasty, nutritious oatmeal topping.
    • Vegetarian breakfasts may consist of omelettes.
      By: Peredniankina
      Vegetarian breakfasts may consist of omelettes.
    • Cold cereal with milk is a vegetarian breakfast option.
      By: Okea
      Cold cereal with milk is a vegetarian breakfast option.
    • Mushrooms can be added to omelettes.
      By: dalajlama
      Mushrooms can be added to omelettes.
    • Granola is sometimes used to top yogurt.
      By: nito
      Granola is sometimes used to top yogurt.
    • A fruit-filled quick bread is a breakfast option for vegans.
      By: dolphy_tv
      A fruit-filled quick bread is a breakfast option for vegans.
    • Wheat germ can provide additional nutrition to a yogurt breakfast.
      By: marilyn barbone
      Wheat germ can provide additional nutrition to a yogurt breakfast.
    • Hot oatmeal with non-dairy milk, nuts, and raisins can be a healthy vegetarian breakfast.
      By: robynmac
      Hot oatmeal with non-dairy milk, nuts, and raisins can be a healthy vegetarian breakfast.
    • A green smoothie can be made with soy milk and nutrient-packed green vegetables.
      By: Johan Larson
      A green smoothie can be made with soy milk and nutrient-packed green vegetables.
    • Tex-Mex versions of vegetarian migas are often topped with a robust salsa.
      By: JJAVA
      Tex-Mex versions of vegetarian migas are often topped with a robust salsa.
    • A cup of yogurt can be part of a good vegetarian breakfast.
      By: Anton Maltsev
      A cup of yogurt can be part of a good vegetarian breakfast.
    • A savory quiche made with seasonal vegetables and cheese is a vegetarian option that is high in protein.
      By: Anticiclo
      A savory quiche made with seasonal vegetables and cheese is a vegetarian option that is high in protein.
    • Smoothies can be a power house of nutrition, adding vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients to breakfast.
      By: Pixelbliss
      Smoothies can be a power house of nutrition, adding vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients to breakfast.
    • Fresh fruit should be included in a vegetarian breakfast.
      By: Tim UR
      Fresh fruit should be included in a vegetarian breakfast.