If the only muffin top you've experienced lately is the one hanging over your bikini bottoms, dig out Mum's cupcake tray. We've cooked up five recipes for flavour bombs that provide healthy perks for less than 1050kJ each. Most of the recipes use basics you probably have in your pantry, like flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Bake a batch on the weekend and throw the extras in the freezer. On weekday mornings, microwave a frozen muffin for 30 seconds for a portable meal that'll make you a hundred times happier than boring old cereal.

Mood managers
Papaya & pineapple muffins

Heart guards
Apple & cinnamon oat bran muffins

Engine starters
Date & oat muffins

Flu fighters
Carrot & ginger bran muffins

PMS busters
Banana, yoghurt & walnut muffins