32 Stellar Breakfasts to Lower Cholesterol

When I first started out to lower my cholesterol naturally, I did a LOT of research and made a series of 3 posts that documented so much of what I’d learned, along with a whole host of recipes to help others along in their journey to lower cholesterol naturally. Encouraged by my doctor who says what I’m doing is definitely helping, I continue to follow those guidelines and create new recipes for lowering cholesterol. Because these posts were a LOT of work to put together, I honestly wasn’t going to do another post, but given the popularity of the last three, I think you guys deserve a new post (or three? we’ll see how many I feel up to doing).

If you haven’t looked at the first three posts on lowering cholesterol, I encourage you to give them a read–there are some real gems in there:

1. 30 RECIPES FOR LOWERING CHOLESTEROL (PART 1)
2. 52 MORE CHOLESTEROL LOWERING RECIPES (PART 2)
3. EASY TIPS FOR LOWERING CHOLESTEROL + 63 DELICIOUS RECIPES (PART 3)

This time, I’m dividing the posts not by the ingredients they contain, like I did in the past three, but instead I’m planning posts that focus in on breakfast, snacks and sides, soups and salads, main dishes, and maybe I’ll even dive into beverages and desserts. I’m also including lots of links to helpful articles that tell you more about the science behind the recipe.

So for the beginning, I’m hapy to feature my favorite meal of the day: breakfast. Scroll down for delightful recipes from some of my favorite food bloggers (plus myself!) to start your day out right, treat your taste buds and keep your heart healthy and your arteries and veins flowing free.

Sweet Tooth Breakfasts for your Heart

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Bran Cereal – heart healthy, high fiber oat bran is a staple I keep on hand for controlling cholesterol and it makes a super easy, speedy breakfast. This comforting bowl of goodness is ready in just 5 minutes and features one of my favorite flavor combinations: peanut butter and dark chocolate, which are both great for lowering cholesterol, plus heart healthy oat bran for a trifecta that’s both delicious and nutritious. You can find oat bran in the bulk section of many grocery stores, or in the health food section.

Crunchy Granola – from Cooking with Mary and Friends – a very simple crunchy granola using ingredients you probably already have on your pantry shelf. Eat it as a snack all by itself, serve on top of yogurt, or mix some with milk for a delicious, crunchy breakfast cereal.

Tropical Kiwi Monster Protein Kale Smoothie – when you’re in a rush for a healthy breakfast, throw some goodness in the blender, toss it into a cup and drink it on the go! Potassium rich kiwi happens to be the most nutrient dense fruit and kale is a super heart healthy veggie that’s totally hidden away in this delightful green tropical smoothie.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Brownie Power Bars – another peanut butter chocolate breakfast treat that is super easy to make, these chocolatey bars are great for a high fiber, high protein breakfast on the go. Peanut butter powder provides both fiber and protein, plus my buddy oat bran and cocoa powder and a nice sweetness from natural maple syrup. I keep these on hand at all times for those moments when I need a little something but I don’t have time to cook.

Overnight Chia Breakfast Pudding – from ChinDeep – This creamy, chocolaty, overnight chia-oat pudding is so delicious and healthy, yet it’s like having dessert for breakfast! Chia seeds include Omega-3’s and fiber and we’ve already talked about how heart healthy oats and dark chocolate are.

Pumpkin Pecan Baked Oat Bran – Another winner of a breakfast that features oat bran, but it also includes pumpkin, which contains plant sterols that help lower your LDL (the bad) cholesterol. The maple cream cheese drizzle on top makes it taste like a total treat without adding tons of empty calories.

Almond Joy Smoothie Bowl – from Full Belly Sisters – this Almond Joy smoothie bowl has loads of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and protein. But instead of chugging it, you eat this with a spoon; because of the texture and the chewing, smoothie bowls can feel more satisfying than a drink.

Slow Cooker Teff & Oats – from Good Grief Cooking – Teff is is a“super grain” originating in ancient Africa. It is mild and nutty in flavor and boasts lots of calcium, iron and fiber. 

Double Chocolate Chia Oat Cookies – Cookies for breakfast? Oh yeah … these chewy double chocolate cookies are secretly healthy, with the goodness of peanut butter, walnuts, chickpeas and crunchy little chia seeds hiding inside. There’s also heart healthy oatmeal, oat bran and a bit of psyllium husk for added fiber, so just one little double chocolate cookie provides over 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, along with important nutrients like iron and potassium.

Breakfast Banana Splits – The popular kid-friendly dessert made into a healthy breakfast with bananas, Greek yogurt, granola “sprinkles”, fresh berries and a melted peanut butter drizzle, all good things for your heart.

Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal – Blueberries contain pterostilbene which has been found to be an effective alternative to drugs for lowering cholesterol. Bananas are a great source of fiber too, which can help lower cholesterol. This recipe calls for oatmeal, but feel free to substitute oat bran for even more heart-healthy fiber.

Honey Apple Bran Muffins – Most bran muffins sound like a great thing for your heart, but sadly they don’t deliver, mostly due to the amount of refined sugar added. This recipe is different. It’s sweetened naturally with honey and pureed raisins (or prunes) and includes the super-fiber psyllium and flaxmeal, which help lower LDL cholesterol, plus apples and walnuts which are also both stellar for lowering cholesterol.

Lentil Walnut Cranberry Museli – from Ally’s Kitchen Bohemian Bold Cooking – A hearty stick-to-your-ribs meal that you could eat for breakfast or pack and take to work/school for lunch. Someone eating the dish may not even know they’re having their morning meal even more nutritious with lentils.

Mixed Berry Oatmeal Cups – from Lauren Kelly Nutrition – The beauty of these babies is that you can make them with any additions you’d like. Lauren used dried chopped cranberries, blueberries and tart cherries, but you can use whatever dried fruit you’d like. Or even chocolate chips, cacao nibs or nuts.  Go for it, the possibilities are endless.

PB2 Protein Pancakes – Most pancakes aren’t exactly heart-healthy, but this recipe is! Peanut butter powder contributes both fiber and protein and also adds to the swoon-worthy peanut butter maple syrup. Blueberries are the perfect addition to give the pancakes an extra heart health boost.

Starting your Day on the Savory Side

Simple Salmon and Egg Salad – from Ally’s Kitchen Bohemian Bold – This dish comes together so simply yet so elegantly. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Cook extra salmon for dinner and save the rest for this recipe the next day. You’ll just feel like you’re doing what’s good for your body when you’re eating this dish. And, oh, yeah, it’s low gylcemic, low cholesterol, low everything and that’s a good thing! 

Ham & Broccoli Breakfast Scramble Supreme – Taking scrambled eggs to a whole new level with loads of heart healthy ingredients! Use low-fat ham to keep the saturated fat content down.

Best Tofu Skillet Scramble – from ChinDeep – This deluxe tofu scramble is loaded with tasty ingredients and lean protein. Studies show that consuming 25 grams of soy protein a day (10 ounces of tofu or 2 1/2 cups of soy milk) can lower LDL by 5% to 6%.

Perfect Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus – from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen – With protein, healthy fat, and fresh asparagus, you can enjoy yourself and know that you are sticking with your heart healthy diet.

Savory Pumpkin Cheddar Oat Bread – Oat bran plus pumpkin again, but this time in savory form, this bread makes the perfect high fiber, heart healthy base for avocado toast.

Mexican Strata – from Cooking with Mary and Friends – strata with a Mexican flare including heart healthy potatoes, sliced jalapeno peppers, sliced black olives and chunky salsa.

Broccoli Mushroom Hash – adding broccoli and mushrooms to your morning hash helps boost the heart health factor, lower the carbs, and adds flavor, texture and color as well. Go ahead and top it with an egg, if you like because eggs ARE good for lowering cholesterol, especially if they’re free range and fed a healthy diet.

Breakfast Pizza with Herbed Garlic Veggie Crust – What’s better than pizza for breakfast? especially when it’s a heart healthy way to start your day. With a crust made of cruciferous cauliflower and carrots, a sauce made with Greek yogurt and topped with a heart healthy egg and fresh herbs, this breakfast pizza might just become one of your favorite meals of the day.

Mushroom and Red Cabbage Breakfast Skillet – Every ingredient in this recipe is good for your heart! Mushrooms and pretty red cabbage (rich in anthocyanins) join with lycopene rich tomatoes and quercetin laden onions, high fiber beans, and heart healthy eggs for a satisfying and gorgeous breakfast that also helps lower your cholesterol.

Farmer’s Market Breakfast Skillet – from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen – If you love easy to make, one pan recipes, grab those delicious farmer’s market finds and turn them into this delicious breakfast skillet.

Baked Eggs Souffle – from What’s Cookin’ Italian Cuisine – a delicious impressive breakfast that looks like it took you all morning to prepare, but they hardly take any time at all.

Simple Veggie Frittata – from Cooking with Mary and Friends – Fritattas are quick and easy to make and a wonderful option for Sunday brunch, or light lunch/dinner anytime. This recipe features cruciferous broccoli, heart healthy olives and cherry tomatoes along with cheese and farm fresh eggs for an easy, anytime meal.

Bacon Spinach Quinoa Souffle Cups – don’t let the word “souffle” scare you away! These light, airy souffle cups are easy to make and they are full of great things for your heart like spinach and nutrient rich quinoa.

Garden Harvest Breakfast Bowl – Bake an egg in a nest of cherry tomatoes with zucchini and/or anthocyanin-rich eggplant, with fresh herbs and a bit of melty cheese. Use grass-fed cheese to up to the cholesterol boosting factor.

Ham and Asparagus Breakfast Quinoa – did you know asparagus is good for your heart? Mix some roasted asparagus with a bit of low-fat ham and fiber rich quinoa and top with an egg and you’ve got a well-balanced, heart healthy breakfast.

Low Carb Zucchini Cupcake Quiche –  from What’s Cookin’ Italian Cuisine – so easy to make, portable and delicious, these Crustless Zucchini Quiches taste great and, since they are made in muffin tins, they are the perfect on-the-go breakfast!

Avocado Black Bean Fiesta Hash – Avocados are super foods for improving LDL cholesterol levels. Here avocado teams up with several other heart healthy ingredients to make a spicy, colorful hash.