You all have heard it before and it still holds truth. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! A coffee and a slice of toast just doesn’t cut it. It will not hold you over, and you are likely to be hungry within the hour and that is when you will grab something else sweet and fulfilling…sound familiar? So start your day off right. I know this may sound like a Kellogg’s commercial, but it is true – and Kellogg’s and cheerios are not even part of my advice.
If you get “the goods” in early and your body will be very happy. Even if you are the type of person that really just isn’t that hungry in the morning, at the very least have a green juice or a glass of water with some lemon and a piece of fruit, and maybe even a handful of nuts. Other balanced breakfast for ones with more of an appetite may be a smoothie, bowl of oatmeal, granola with almond milk, slice of grain free toast with almond butter, sheep’s yoghurt and fruit or maybe some hearty oatmeal pancakes!
Whatever you choose to eat, make sure it it balanced and provides you with sufficient protein, complex carbohydrate, healthy fats and fiber. These nutrients will give you energy and keep you satisfied and make sure your metabolism is off to a healthy start. Just remember the more balanced the breakfast, the less likely you are to have cravings throughout the day (and more importantly at night!).
There are many ways to get these nutrients in your breakfast and not even focus strictly on one isolated nutrient. If you chose whole food ingredients and combine them wisely you will definitely be getting all the nutrients your body needs to get you going! Here are some tips.
Protein: nut butter + toast, quinoa porridge, hemp or sun-warrior protein powder in smoothie
Healthy fat: almond butter or avocado on your toast, coconut oil in your smoothie, nuts and seeds on sheep yogurt or oatmeal
Carbohydrate: high fiber-whole grain bread, whole grain cereal – cooked from the whole grain (quinoa, barley, oats, kamut, amaranth, millet), homemade granola or a breakfast muffin.
Use this as a guideline and don’t skip breakfast. You are not doing your body any good by starving your body of calories when it needs it the most! Make sure you have a enough time in the morning to eat something decent and not always have to grab breakfast on the go.
And for the mornings or weekends when you have more time, you may even want to indulge and make a little feast of breakfast goodness. Oatmeal pancakes are hearty and delicious, full of fiber, complex carbohydrate and great for the kids too!
If you are looking for more breakfast inspiration, come to Balanced Brunch cooking class on May 12th to learn how to make some easy and filling breakfast recipes.
If you are a breakfast eater and have some others fabulous breakfast ideas, please post a comment and share your morning goodness!
Banana Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats or 1 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup spelt flour or coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups almond milk
1 ripe banana, mashed
1-2 tablespoon maple or coconut sugar
2 tablespoon ground sprouted flax, chia seeds
1 tablespoon applesauce
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions:
1. Mix the oats, flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder in one bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine all the rest of the ingredients and allow to sit for a moment while you heat a skillet.
3. When the pan is hot, add your coconut oil.
4. Stir your pancake batter (add more water if necessary).
5. Pour a small amount of batter (about 3 inch in diameter) in the pan – you may be able to fit 2-3 circles in one pan.
6. Cook until bottom is brown and all sides are completely dry.
7. Serve with coconut flakes, fresh fruit, almond butter, apple butter or all natural fruit preserve. ENJOY!
8. Top with fresh banana and blueberries!
