For many of us, the morning is a difficult time to prepare and eat a healthy breakfast.

That’s where prep-ahead options come in. Not only can you put them together at the start of the week saving you time, but you'll also save money instead of resorting to grabbing something at your local cafe.

Here are five of the best dietitian-approved recipes to whip up ahead of time.

#1. Ham, egg and cheese muffin

For this recipe, simply layer sliced ham, a boiled egg, a slice of cheese, a handful of baby spinach and a condiment of your choice on a multigrain English muffin. 

I like to use ham rather than bacon for this as it does not require cooking. Once you have boiled your eggs, this is an ‘assembly only’ breakfast. 

Prepare a few of these at the start of the week, and if wrapped individually or stored in individual containers, they’ll last for a few days in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat them, simply heat them in a sandwich press or the microwave.

#2. Overnight Weetbix

Overnight oats are a great option, but Weetbix is a nice alternative that comes with a little boost of iron and protein. 

Layer two to three Weetbix in the base of a container, then pour over enough milk to soak. Next, a layer of high protein Greek yoghurt, and then frozen berries and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.

Leave this to set in the fridge overnight and the berries will thaw and soak into the yoghurt, leaving you with a delicious, protein-rich breakfast that tastes a whole lot like dessert!

#3. Omelette wrap

If you prefer to eat a lower-carb diet, a well-cooked omelette can be used as an alternative to bread to make a breakfast wrap. Once cooked, you can fill your omelette with salad like lettuce, tomato and cucumber. 

Add smoked salmon, cream cheese and fresh dill, along with the veg, for a fresh, crunchy and protein-packed breakfast. You can prep the omelettes a couple of days in advance and store them in the fridge, ready to fill at a moment’s notice.

#4. Smoothie cubes

Smoothies are a great on-the-go breakfast option, but it takes time to prep the ingredients each morning. Prepare the base ingredients for multiple smoothies in one go and store them in the freezer in multiple containers. 

Then when it’s time to get ready in the morning, you just have to throw the contents of my container into the blender with some milk and a scoop of protein powder and you’re good to go. My favourite combination is sliced banana, berries, oats and chia seeds, all tossed in a container in the freezer. 

#5. Nourish bowl

Love a savoury breakfast but are sick of eggs on toast? Try a nourish bowl. This is a great one to prep in advance. Start with a base of rice or quinoa, then top with a boiled egg, sliced avocado, roasted veggies, baby spinach, hommus or cottage cheese and a sprinkle of dukkah. 

I like to add something pickled or fermented to this mix, such as sauerkraut or some olives. This can be enjoyed heated or straight from the fridge and is a great way to mix up your breakfast routine. 

Ashleigh Jones is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and leads a team of dietitians at Lite n’ Easy. She is known for her practical, no-BS approach to healthy eating and her experience in helping patients with IBS. You can follow her on Instagram here.