Mother’s Day brunch is one of the best meals of the year and a great way to celebrate the mothers in our lives. We asked registered dietitian Stephanie Tarnacki about her favorite Mother’s Day brunch recipes. She passes along these seven delicious options that pack a ton of flavor but are high in calories.
Get ready for some delicious brunch dishes for Mother’s Day or any day!
Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes recommended by nutritionists
1. Delicious Low Carb Zucchini Waffles with Poached Eggs
Tanaki recommends these delicious zucchini waffles in place of traditional pancakes. They’re filled with high-protein almond flour, zucchini, parmesan cheese, and topped with a poached egg! With only 9 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and a whopping 19 grams of protein, it’s a healthy way to start Mother’s Day!
2. Pan French Toast with Mixed Berries
If the mom in your life loves a sweet Mother’s Day brunch recipe, look no further than French toast. Tarnacki loves this high-fiber, low-fat version of a brunch classic. “Substituting whole-wheat toast for white toast provides a great nutty flavor and increases fiber,” she says. “Using skim milk instead of whole milk reduces the saturated fat content. Mixed berries add sweetness and more fiber!
3. High-Protein Breakfast Quesadillas
If your mom loves a hearty brunch, try this healthy Mexican breakfast recipe. This tortilla recipe uses whole wheat tortillas instead of white corn tortillas. The increased fiber content will keep you feeling full longer so mom won’t feel hungry later during her Mother’s Day nap. Tarnacki points out that the meal also contains three sources of protein — eggs, bacon and beans, adding up to a whopping 20 grams of protein per serving — and the flavor is irresistible. This is a balanced, high-fiber, high-protein breakfast.
4. Egg and Bacon Mini Casserole
Bacon and egg dishes are a classic choice for brunch. This recipe lightens up the flavor of the usual egg and bacon casserole by adding iron-rich fresh spinach, using low-fat milk, and using whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Tarnacki says this recipe provides a low-carb, high-protein breakfast because it provides only 14 grams of carbohydrates and 17 grams of protein.
5. Vegan Rustic Benedict
This twist on a typical Benedict is a great meat-free Mother’s Day food option. Poached eggs are served with whole wheat flour, kidney beans and hidden vegetables for healthy fiber. This delicious main dish will keep you feeling full all morning long!
6. Vegan Apple Crumble Coffee Cake
For another sweet breakfast idea, this delicious Apple Crumb Coffee Cake is so delicious that mom might not realize it’s vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free! This recipe is packed with healthy fats like olive oil and walnuts, high in fiber, whole wheat flour and rolled oats, and only 5 grams of maple syrup sugar! Tanach says you can serve it as a main course or as a brunch dessert for mom.
7. High protein maple seed porridge
This delicious porridge recipe is the perfect “homemade” option for Mother’s Day. “This recipe is a delicious way to add healthy fatty acids by adding sunflower seeds and flaxseeds,” says Tanach. It can also help you lose weight, thanks to a spoonful of your favorite healthy protein powder. Arrange optional toppings in bowls so everyone can tailor the porridge to their liking.
Looking for more recipes?
Search and save over 2,000 recipes in the MyFitnessPal app! Whether you’re looking for healthy twists on your mom’s favorite dishes or fresh flavors for a special brunch for Mom on Mother’s Day, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the app’s recipe collections, as well as collections dedicated to health goals like immune support and GLP-1 friendly meals) and dietary restrictions (including vegetarian and low-sugar).
Plus, if you already have a Mother’s Day brunch idea, you can upload the recipe to see nutritional information. The recipe tool lets you easily edit ingredients so you can create versions of your favorite brunch meals that meet your nutritional goals.
Download the free MyFitnessPal app now
Originally published on 5|8|2023; updated: 5|3|2024
