Need Some Pre-Workout Breakfast Ideas? There's Plenty Of Choices To Chew On

If you're like me, finding something to eat first thing in the morning before a workout is a challenge.

Article after article about what to eat to get your body moving always seem to make the same suggestions: oatmeal and eggs.

I get why for various reasons. Oatmeal is high in carbs, which gives your body that boost of energy as well as a boost to your glycogen stores. Eggs are a great source of protein and also can get you going.

However, it's also a pain to have to get up early and start cooking.

GQ has an interesting piece out that talks about how to get your body going in the morning with 14 alternative pre-workout breakfast ideas, some of which are easy and quick. All of them can probably help you out if you have to get some food in your body first thing before a workout:

- Fruit juice: a good, quick source of sugar but watch the carbs as it's usually loaded

- Chocolate milk: Lots of carbs and protein; again very quick but might not be enough to fill you up

- A handful of cereal or granola: good choice and can get you moving quickly

- A banana: fruit is always good, and a banana is the best choice

- Slice of toast with jam: the carbs from the toast can get you going, and the jam is a good sugar source for energy

- A fruit smoothie: be careful about the amount of carbs and if it's a REAL smoothie or a powder

- A cup of yogurt: an excellent way to get both carbs and protein together in one fell swoop

- A breakfast cookie or two: there's a ton to choose from, most of which are super high in carbs

- A granola or protein bar: another perfect way to get some quick carbs and protein before a morning run or lift

- Oatmeal made with milk: as stated above, oatmeal is perfect to get a lot of quick carbs, and milk is another good way to get protein

- A mini bagel with a schmear of cream cheese: Be careful, bagels can be high in calories, which is why they recommend mini with just a bit of cream cheese

- A hard-boiled egg and grapes: hard-boiled eggs are great for early morning, and grapes are great for sugar to get your energy up

- A couple of deli slice roll-ups: a little out of the norm, but deli meat is another quick and good source of protein

- A mini egg frittata and toast: easy to make ahead of time and heat up in the microwave to give you a quick boost

Of course, if you have the time and want to whip up a big breakfast of eggs, bacon or sausage and toast, that's also a great way to get the day off a to a great start.

Just don't feel like you have to.