Whenever I tell people Im a Vegan, one of the first questions Im inevitably asked is, But how do you get your protein? For those of us who have been living a plant-based lifestyle for some time, were well acquainted with the fact that its absolutely possible to consume sufficient dietary protein without consuming animal products. However, while typical vegan protein sources may sound appetizing later in the day, they may not be so in the morning unless youre armed with the following handy preparation tips.

Tofu – While many people claim to despise tofu for its blandness, its the ability of tofu to act as a blank canvas that makes it such a great staple item for vegans. Tofu is the egg of the Vegan world. On its own its merely passable: prepared correctly, and its a tasty, flavorful, high-protein option for any meal, including breakfast. Try one of these creative options and learn to love tofu!

Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Bowl- Blend half a block of lite, firm tofu, cinnamon, nutmeg in a blender until you achieve a yogurt-like consistency. Mix with canned pumpkin and 2 tbsp pecans.

Greek Tofu Scramble- Press half a block of lite, firm tofu between two kitchen towels to remove any excess moisture. Saut thinly sliced red onion, zucchini, and spinach in a pan. When vegetables near completion, add tofu. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; top with cup Kalamata olives.

Hummus – While the savory topper is usually used in small amounts as a dip or thin spread, mixing pre-made hummus with actual chickpeas boosts the protein content while still giving you a burst of savory tahini. Try mixing hummus, chickpeas, grated radish, and serving wrapped inside lettuce leaves with thinly sliced avocado for a healthier take on the typical greasy breakfast burrito.

Nuts Nuts and nut butters are great breakfast options, but be careful! Many people tend to overlook the calorie content in nuts! While the calories are indeed healthy calories, they can still add up and promote weight gain. However, nuts have stellar health perks, and should be included in your diet, as long as you account for the calories! Here are some of my favorite ways to use nuts at breakfast- almonds are a particular favorite of mine.

Apples and Almond Butter- A quick option for rushed mornings, spreading a juicy apple with 2 tablespoons of the savory-sweet nut butter gives a quick protein hit as Im running out the door. This option can also be packed ahead of time and carried along to the office- just dollop your almond butter in a Tupperware container and take along a knife (safely, please!) and an apple and youre on your way!

Celery and Peanut Butter- Not a big sweet eater in the morning? Try spreading celery with peanut butter- its akin to the ants on a log you were served in grade school, minus the ants. (Although adding a few raisins is certainly acceptable, we wont tell!)

Banana Bread Bowl- Think mashed bananas are just for babies? Think again! Slice one banana and mash (or leave sliced if you prefer), top with cup soymilk 2 tbsp diced walnuts, and cinnamon to serve.

Tempeh Tempeh makes a great savory skillet! Try combining diced onion, red and green peppers, garlic, and spinach in a pan, cooking until well browned. Add tempeh and season with smoked paprika.

Soy Milk While you can certainly drink it on its own, soy milk is a great protein base to add to smoothies and breakfast bowls. A couple of my favorite ways to use soy milk at breakfast include:

Banana Cinnamon Smoothie: Combine 1 large banana (frozen is best), 1 cup soymilk, cinnamon, and ice, if desired, blending until smooth.

Rainbow Smoothie: Combine half cup each frozen blueberries, peaches, strawberries, along with 1 cup spinach leaves and 1.5 cups soy milk, blending until smooth.

Strawberries and Cream Breakfast Bowl: Combine cup dry oats, 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup soy milk, 2 tbsp sliced almonds and vanilla extract to taste, if desired. Place in fridge overnight, allowing flavors to meld. Serve cold.

Apple Pie Breakfast Bowl: Combine 1 cup sliced, diced, or grated red apple, 1 cup soymilk, cup diced pecans, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to taste, if desired. Place in fridge overnight, allowing flavors to meld. Serve cold.

Starting to feel inspired?

If all this talk about breakfast has your inspired to eat it more often, great! A home-cooked breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, keeping blood sugar levels stable and preventing you from slipping into the candy jar at the office when mid-morning hunger comes to call. If youre still not quite sure where to get started, consider your former favorite (non-Vegan) breakfasts, and then consider how to alter the recipe to fit your plant based lifestyle. Your rumbling stomach will be pleased to reacquaint itself with the AM meal.