Phaedra Parks’ Favorite High-Protein Breakfast Is So Simple

With a career spanning law, entertainment and charity, Phaedra Parks is a household name admired for her wit and bold personality. Beyond the spotlight, she’s also a dedicated mother and wellness enthusiast. And while many of us can’t relate to the experience of starring on a hit Bravo show or competing on Dancing with the Stars, Parks’ down-to-earth routine proves that staying energized and grounded doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive.

For breakfast, she usually keeps it simple. “I love eggs and spinach with a little cayenne pepper,” the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member tells me at Silk’s Cereal Liar pop-up event in New York City. “Sometimes, I add a bit of cheese and maybe some chopped tomatoes. It’s simple, yet filling, and great for kick-starting your day.” We love that Parks starts her day with a high-protein breakfast, and think she’d love our Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries—it’s served on whole-grain bread, which makes for a more satiating meal, and includes sweet, fiber-filled raspberries.

When Parks is in the mood for cereal, there’s one that has her heart: cornflakes. “It’s a classic—you can’t beat a cornflake,” she says. “They’re so crunchy.” She has her cornflakes with Silk Vanilla Almondmilk, which levels up the flavor. “It’s delicious!” she says, adding that her eldest son, Ayden, drinks it by the glass. “I’m a flexitarian, so I love that it gives me a healthy and nutritious plant-based alternative.” 

While she didn’t take home a trophy on Dancing with the Stars, Parks had a winning go-to meal. “Every day, I ate boiled eggs, salmon and a bagel with cream cheese,” she says. “I had to keep up my energy since we were dancing up to eight hours a day with minimal breaks.” 

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, nutrition editor at EatingWell, approves of this meal—with one small tweak: “This is a protein-packed meal that also contains a nice balance of carbs from the bagel and healthy fats from the salmon. A nourishing meal like this is crucial for staying fueled during busy days, like Parks had while filming DWTS. Protein is also necessary for muscle recovery, which would be important after long days of physical activity like Parks describes. One adjustment I would make would be adding in a source of fiber, like a piece of fruit or side of vegetables, to help support gut health, healthy digestion and heart health.”

Movement and hydration are the other key pieces to Parks’ relatable routine. Brooks makes her favorite walking shoes—“I have a customized lift in them for my arches, and I love them”—and she’s all about drinking plenty of water. “I drink no less than a gallon of alkaline water a day,” she says.