Though most of you would rather sleep in every day, school schedules often mean early wake-up calls from Monday through Friday. When your alarm clock starts buzzing at what seems like the crack of dawn, you may feel too tired to drag yourself out of bed, let alone to eat breakfast. If that’s the case, you’re certainly not alone. Statistics show that more than half of teens rush out the door each morning without fueling their bodies.

But, as you’ve been hearing since grade school, breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day. Studies reveal that eating breakfast can lead to higher test scores, greater alertness in the classroom, a healthier body weight, and a more balanced diet rich in calcium, iron, fiber and vitamins A and C.

Here are some easy-to-follow tips that can help you begin the morning right. After all, a delicious morning meal is a great way to spur a highly productive school day.

•Streamline the Morning Routine. Set the table the night before school each day to reduce the stress that chaotic mornings can bring. If a bowl, spoon and box of ready-to-eat cereal are laid out ahead of time, you’ll be more apt to eat.

•Tap into Teen “Green.” It’s no secret that your generation is keenly aware of the environmental consequences of human actions. Choosing food products made without artificial colors, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, and companies that support sustainable growing and manufacturing practices, help you feel good about what you eat. We often recommend Mom’s Best® Naturals cereals because they taste great (and, hey, taste is a number one concern). Plus, the company is committed to environmental causes. Mom’s Best also costs a lot less than most other natural products.

•Tantalize Teen Taste Buds. You get bored with the same old foods day after day. To shake things up at breakfast, ask your parents to stock a supply of three or four different all-natural whole-grain cereals. That way, each member of your family can pick and choose their favorite kind, or mix a few flavors together.

•Heat Things Up. There’s nothing like a bowl of stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal. However, it may not be enough to lure you out of your warm bed in the morning. To make hot oatmeal too hard to resist, pump up the flavor by making Mom’s Best Power Breakfast. (Recipe follows.)

•Eat With Your Eyes. Imagine a pretty glass filled with layers of fruited yogurt, crunchy cereal and sliced strawberries or blueberries. Such mixtures, aka parfaits, are easy to prepare and fun to eat.

•Think Outside the Box. While ready-to-eat and hot cereals provide a bowlful of good nutrition— especially when they’re made with whole grains— don’t feel guilty if you occasionally enjoy last night’s dinner leftovers for breakfast! A slice of cold pizza may not appeal to moms, but if it gets you in the habit of eating breakfast, be flexible and enjoy.

•Grab and Go. Apples, bananas and grapes are some of the easiest and healthiest grab-and-go foods. Keep plenty of these nutritious and portable foods on hand. Other grab-and-go options include granola bars (preferably those made with whole grains), low-fat cheese sticks, whole-wheat bagels with peanut butter and Grab-and-Go Breakfast Bars. (Recipe follows.)

Starting the day with a great tasting and easy to prepare breakfast helps you perform your best in and outside the classroom. With just a bit of advance planning— and a touch of creativity— you might be inspired to get up just a few minutes earlier for the eating experience.

Grab-and-Go Breakfast Bars
Makes 16 Bars
Ingredients:
1 cup Mom’s Best Naturals Quick Oats
1 cup Mom’s Best Naturals Toasted Wheat-fuls™
1 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, such as a combination of dried apricots, dried plums and dried cranberries
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large omega-3 eggs
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil or coat an 8-x-8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Place the oats, Wheat-fuls, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon and salt in a food processor, and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped (the dried fruit should be the size of a dried pea or lentil).
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey and vanilla. Add the oatmeal mixture and chocolate chips, and stir to combine.
4. Transfer to the baking pan, and flatten down with the back of a spoon or spatula to spread evenly.
5. Bake about 18 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and the bars are done.

Let bars cool completely in pan before slicing and serving.

Tip: These bars freeze really well.
If you have leftovers, wrap individual portions in plastic bags or aluminum foil, and freeze.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 150 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated, 0.7g omega-3), 85mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 3g protein.

Mom’s Best Power Breakfast
Makes 1 Serving
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Mom’s Best Naturals Quick Oats
1 tsp. ground flaxseed
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
1/4 cup blueberries
1 tsp. pure maple syrup
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped nuts, optional

Directions:
1. Combine the oats, ground flaxseed and milk in a large microwave-safe bowl and stir to combine.
2. Place in the microwave, uncovered, and heat on high for 90 seconds.
3. Remove carefully and stir in the blueberries, maple syrup and nuts as desired.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 180 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated, 0.5g omega-3), 65mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 8g protein, 15% calcium.

Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD, and Liz Weiss, MS, RD, are authors of The Moms’ Guide to Meal Makeovers (Broadway) and the founders of the comprehensive nutritional Web site for families, www.mealmakeovermoms.com.