breakfast

Put a box or two of cereal in our office kitchen, and it's rarely long for the world; the latest offering from Barbara's Bakery, Barbara's Snackimals Cereal ($5), was no exception. As soon as we set these adorable animal-shaped breakfast bites out for a taste test, the hungry masses descended like a pack of wolves to see if they were up to snuff, and — spoiler alert — they were, and then some. Keep reading to see which flavor will break you out of a breakfast rut.

If you've ever ordered an omelet in Europe, then you know you were served something very unlike the omelets we know and love in America. Many Americans feel squeamish about undercooked eggs (hello, risk of salmonella!), but that custardy, underdone quality is sought out in Europe. Whether you plan to cook one of the styles yourself or experience it at a European restaurant, here are the main differences between American and French omelets.

An American omelet, as pictured on the top, has a speckled golden crust from the pan, and the surface is uneven with craters. This effect occurs because, similar to how steak chars on a pan, the scrambled eggs are cooked over a high heat and left untouched until the eggs set. The round omelet is then folded in half and served. Often, the fillings like meat and vegetables are cooked into the eggs rather than added afterward.

Learn more about the French-style omelet when you keep reading.

It's official: Greek yogurt is now the reigning queen of the dairy aisle. New brands have been sprouting left and right, and one of them is Yopa!, by the makers of YoCrunch. It bills itself as "authentic Greek nonfat yogurt," but how did it taste in comparison to other Greek-style yogurts on the market? To find out, we tasted three fruity classics — strawberry, blueberry, and black cherry — complete with an essential, crunchy granola (an added bonus on the package). Find out how Yopa! yogurt fared.

Anyone who thinks that quinoa is just for lunch and dinner needs to use this ancient grain in their breakfast routine. Versatile, protein-packed quinoa is a delicious resource when creating a satisfying and healthy start to your day. Let these four quinoa-filled recipes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.

Quinoa, Egg, and Spinach Scramble

Bulk up your breakfast with some ancient grain power in this quinoa and egg scramble. It looks gourmand, but as long as you've precooked your quinoa, this recipe takes just a few minutes from prep to plate.

Quinoa Pancakes

For a satisfying weekend brunch, take the time to whip up these delicious quinoa flapjacks. The twist on the tradition offers more folate, protein, and fiber than standard pancakes.

Keep reading for two more easy recipes starring quinoa.

Skipping out on the first meal of the day to save calories and lose weight? Not exactly the best plan, since saying no to breakfast can slow down your metabolism and cause your body to hold on to fat. But it's not only important to eat in the morning — make sure you avoid these four breakfast mistakes as well.

• I'll eat when I get to work: You wake up at 6 a.m. and are in such a rush to get ready, pack your lunch, and get to your nine-to-five job that you figure you'll sip coffee on your commute and just eat when you get to your desk. It's important to eat within an hour of waking, because just like skipping breakfast, it messes with your metabolism. Avoid eating too late by making these meals the night before. If you don't have time to sit down and eat, pack a portable snack the night before that you can quickly grab and nibble on the way.
• I'll grab a drink with my breakfast: Liquid calories get you every time! Specialty coffee drinks, huge glasses of smoothies, and fresh juices can run you 300 calories or more. That on top of your breakfast can make calorie counts creep up fast. Go for coffee with a little bit of milk, drink a smaller-size smoothie with your breakfast, and eat your fruit instead of juicing it to consume fewer calories and more fiber.
• Oooh, a scone: When you grab coffee at the local café in the morning, who can resist the freshly baked muffins, quick breads, and scones staring at you from the counter? Avoid filling up on sugar in the morning: it doesn't sustain your blood sugar levels, so you will feel tired and fuzzy-headed. That, coupled with hunger pangs will have you reaching for more food within an hour, which means more calories consumed. Here are some low-sugar breakfast ideas to enjoy instead — all under 30 grams.

Keep reading for three more breakfast mistakes that can cause weight gain.