Getting a good head start on your day means eating a healthy breakfast, but with so many choices, finding smart choices can be confusing. Pancakes are a hearty option, providing a high quantity of carbohydrates and a range of vitamins and minerals, but pancakes are relatively high in fat, calories and sodium.

Pancakes are one of the most popular breakfasts in America. They can also be one of the most caloric. But if done right, they can actually be good for you.

Would you believe me if I told you there is a magical recipe for paleo pancakes that require only 3 ingredients? They will blow your pancake-loving mind!

Pancakes can be found around the world. They are made from varying proportions of flour, water, milk, eggs, sugar and butter. Two well-known styles of pancake are the Swedish pancake and the French crepe.

On a basic level, chocolate pancakes are made by adding cocoa powder to pancake batter. In reality, the process is not that simple. All recipes are like a science experiment, where the balance of the ingredients and their chemical makeup is needed in specific proportions to achieve a successful end result.

When it's time to whip up a batch of biscuits or scones, don't worry if you are out of Bisquick. Most pancake mixes are very similar to Bisquick and contain flour, leavening, salt and hydrogenated oil. Pancake mixes may contain slightly more sugar, though, resulting in a sweeter final product.

Since the primary ingredient in pancakes is flour, carbohydrates make up the majority of the calories contained in pancakes. The incorporation of eggs, buttermilk and oil contribute an insignificant amount of fat and protein. Nutritional information is provided for plain pancakes measuring 6 inches in diameter.

Aunt Jemima pancake mixes come in a variety of choices. All of these mixes can be combined with milk, and in some cases, you must use milk, or a dairy-free milk substitute. Additionally, most of the mixes require eggs or an egg substitute. Don't use water unless a mix specifically says it's okay.

Smothering your pancakes in syrup and butter adds excessive calories and sugar to your breakfast. Healthier pancake options add nutritional value to the meal without overloading your meal with fat, calories and sugar.

Fresh, hot funnel cakes are one of the many delights found at carnivals, fairs and swap meets. However, unlike cotton candy and other midway treats, it’s not hard to make funnel cakes at home, especially since the technique is simple and no special equipment is needed.

To save time and money, make pancakes in batches and store them in the freezer for later use. This eliminates the need to make fresh pancake batter often and keeps you from buying expensive frozen products. Heat up frozen pancakes and add toppings, such as berries, bananas, whip cream or syrup.

While pancakes serve as a tasty addition to any family breakfast, they have a tendency to stick during cooking. Not only does this make it difficult to flip your pancakes but a stuck pancake can easily break, leaving a gooey mess in your pan and all over your spatula.