Best and Worst Brunch Ideas (2024)

On its own, this is high in a kind of fiber that can help lower your cholesterol and give your immune system a boost. Problems can come when you try to liven it up. Stay away from butter and brown sugar. Go with things like nuts or fresh fruit instead.

Shrimp is a good source of protein, calcium, and iron, and it’s low in fat. A cup of grits has about 140 calories. The trouble comes in the form of add-ons like cheese and bacon. Chicken broth can add a lot of salt. As long as you’re careful with those, this is a healthy choice.

Lox -- cold, smoked salmon -- is high in protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. That, along with a whole-grain bagel, makes this a solid choice. Just be sure to watch the cream cheese.

While often compared to quiche, a frittata is a healthier option because it doesn’t have a crust. The benefits are a lot like those of an omelet. At home, you can pile on vegetables and control the amount of oil you use to make it even healthier.

Eggs offer protein, and an English muffin isn’t too bad for you. The calories come in the high-fat Hollandaise sauce. When you’re eating out, going light on the sauce can help. If you’re making it at home, you can use an alternative, like crushed avocados -- think guacamole -- or low-fat cheese as a topping instead.

A Bloody Mary or mimosa is a staple of brunch, but alcohol -- and orange juice -- are high in calories. And while both OJ and tomato juice are nutritious, it’s also easy to overdo it on the alcohol, and that can lead to unhealthy food choices.

A juicy burger is a good source of protein, but it also can be high in fat. It’s a better choice if the restaurant uses a leaner kind like bison, which is lower in fat. Be careful of add-ons like cheese and bacon, and don’t toss aside the lettuce and tomato.

The batter packs a lot of calories, and you add more if you use them as a vehicle for butter, syrup, or powdered sugar. Fruit is a healthy topping alternative, and you’ll use less syrup if you dip your pancakes or waffles into a bowl instead of pouring your syrup over them. If you’re making them yourself, a batter of half whole wheat and half white flour is a good way to go.

Potatoes can be good for you, but not the way these are prepared at restaurants. They tend to be fried in oil or, even worse, deep-fried. At home, you can control the amount of oil or butter you use and bake them instead of frying them.

Eggs, milk, heavy cream, and cheese, along with a pie crust, are all high in fat. You can make it a bit healthier by adding veggies like spinach, but that won’t get this dish out of the “worst” category.

Tuna is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium, and vitamin D. But the “melt” -- cheese -- negates the health benefits. And some places fry their bread or make it panini style, which adds more calories. Your best bet is to just go with tuna.

This is often grouped with healthy foods, but it can be high in fat and sugar, especially in restaurants. When you’re buying granola at the store, check the label and look for fewer than 7 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. If you do that, keep the portion size small, and use it as a topping and not as a main dish, it can be a healthy choice.