What Celebrity Trainers and Nutritionists Eat for Breakfast

Those who help shape Hollywood’s most enviable figures know a lot about how to eat healthy, nutritious, energizing foods. We got them to spill their favorites for breakfast.

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Harley Pasternak: Famous Red Berry Smoothie Recipe

A healthy breakfast should consist of a low-fat protein and a high-fiber carbohydrate and should contain as little sugar as possible, said celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak on People.com. Pasternak, who helps get stars like Halle Berry, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Jessica Simpson to look their best, continued, “Protein in your morning meal improves appetite control by reducing cravings and preventing overeating later in the day. My clients’ new breakfast addiction are my smoothies, featured in my new book The Body Reset Diet.” Try some of Pasternak’s favorite smoothie recipes here.

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Christine Avanti: Veggie Egg White Scramble and Oats

“My favorite breakfast for weight loss is a veggie egg white scramble and steel cut oats, or another carb such as whole wheat toast, Kashi cereal, or fresh fruit. Now that’s a tasty, fulfilling breakfast and not a diet,” said Christine Avanti on MindBodyGreen.com. The nutrition expert and celebrity chef has worked with Chelsea Handler, Jeremy Piven, and Guiliana Rancic.

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Jillian Michaels: Ezekiel English Muffins with Almond Butter

Michaels told Self magazine that she makes sure to start her day with carbs to give her long-lasting energy. “Breakfast is usually whole-grain Ezekiel English Muffins with almond butter,” Michaels said. “And I eat two whole English Muffins, about 500 calories.”

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Denise Austin: White Corn Egg Scramble

“I am famous for my white corn scramble. Everyone loves it! I sauté white corn, parsley, chives, spinach and tomatoes in a pan, add eggs or egg whites, and scramble! I serve it with avocado on the side to create a healthy and scrumptious breakfast,” said fitness icon Denise Austin, whose latest DVD is Denise Austin: Fat Burning Walk. Austin’s healthy scramble provides a trifecta of energizing nutrients: protein from eggs, fiber from corn, and monounsaturated fats from avocado.

Ashley Borden: Chocolate-Strawberry Shake

“I’m not a big breakfast person,” admitted Ashley Borden, who has worked with Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield, Mandy Moore, and Ryan Gosling. But she does enjoy a shake to get the day started. In a Nutribullet blender, Borden will add frozen strawberries, a teaspoon of Udos Oil, a scoop of Barlean’s Chocolate Silk Greens protein powder, half a banana, and 1/2 cup or so of chocolate soy milk or water. “This shake keeps it simple and yummy,” said Borden. “It allows me to get my essential fatty acids, protein, greens, and antioxidants all in one fell swoop!”

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Ramona Braganza: Turkey Bacon, Eggs, and Toast

The woman behind the bodies of Halle Berry and Jessica Alba starts the day with a sensible version of a classic breakfast, as she described to the New York Daily News

Mary Helen Bowers: Oats, Almonds, and Fruit

“My go-to breakfast is slow-cooked oats with raw almonds and fresh fruit. It’s filling, full of fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and provides me with the perfect amount of energy to power through a workout,” said Mary Helen Bowers, creator of ballet-inspired workout series and DVDs, Ballet Beautiful. Bowers trained Natalie Portman for her Academy Award-winning role in Black Swan.

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Jay Cardiello: Strawberry Shortcake Protein Pancake

Typical pancakes lack fiber and protein to keep you full. This version from Jay Cardiello, who has trained TV personalities, Grammy winners, and top athletes, adds plenty of satisfying, nutritious foods. (Although the breakfast is Cardiello’s favorite, he has to give props to its inventor: his wife, chef Paula Hankin, who often prepares it for him.)

For the batter, mix half a banana, sliced, with 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Body Lite by JCORE (Cardiello’s snack replacement drink-mix brand) or 1 teaspoon peanut butter, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup oats, and 5 blueberries. Use fat-free cooking spray in your pan and cook as with other pancakes. Serve with 5 more blueberries and leftover sliced banana; you can also top with sugar-free syrup.

Kira Stokes: ‘Stoked’ On-the-Go Green Juice Drink

This nutrient-dense breakfast is a speedy option for busy mornings, said celebrity fitness trainer Kira Stokes. The Revolve cycling instructor in New York City is currently training Sherri Shepherd and has previously worked with Miss America competitors. Her recipe: In a blender, toss a handful of kale, 1/2 cucumber, a handful of dandelion greens, 1/3 peeled lemon, 1/3 green apple, 1/4-inch piece of fresh ginger root, and a inch of cayenne pepper. Blend with ice, and add water as needed.

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Tosca Reno: Eggs and Greens

Tosca Reno, author of the Eat Clean Diet book series whose followers include Angelina Jolie, makeup artist Bobbi Brown, and Paula Abdul , said she uses the morning as an opportunity to get in a serving of all-important greens. “I eat greens at every meal, breakfast is no exception,” she said. Her recipe: In a cast-iron skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil with a pinch of turmeric over medium heat. Lightly sauté 2 cups large-leaf spinach until just wilted. Remove from the pan and place on a plate. Add another 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil to the pan, then crack 2 eggs into the same pan and cook to your liking. “I like to leave them sunny side up so the yolks spill onto the spinach greens,” said Reno. Slide finished eggs onto the pile of wilted spinach and serve with sliced tomato on the side. Reno likes to round out her meal with a slice of Paleo Bread™ slathered with cooked pumpkin.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest