We certainly know the importance of our children or grandkids having breakfast before school, and now there are many breakfast programs within schools to ensure that children eat this most important meal of the day. As adults, we sometimes forget the importance of a daily breakfast as we are rushing to get to work, have kid’s before-school commitments, or we are running late. Breakfast literally breaks the fast of 12 hours, and refuels our energy reserves. There are the “ I never eat breakfast” people or “my stomach can’t handle breakfast” people and the “I don’t have time” people. There are clever ways around this to find a breakfast that is going to work for you to power up your day.
A nourishing breakfast ……
- kick-starts your metabolism and can reduce your waist line
- feeds your brain and fuels your body
- gives your energy and stamina
- improves your concentration and memory
- can provide 25% of your energy needs and 50% of your nutrient needs for the day
A fabulous breakfast should include some wholegrains, a dairy food or equivalent, some protein and a colourful fruit or vegetable. Some great nutrition boosters for your breakfast include walnuts, psyllium husks, seeds (pepitas, chia, sunflower), avocado, banana, nut butter and kefir (fermented milk drink). Try these power-fuelled breakfast ideas in your house, many can be made the night before so you just need to grab one in the morning.
On-the-Go breakfast
Breakfast Pot – homemade granola or oats, natural Greek yoghurt (higher in protein), fresh berries
Oat Pot – rolled oats, chia seeds, Kefir, vanilla essence, honey and mixed berries
Choc-Nana Smoothie – milk or almond/rice/oat milk, banana, psyllium, nut butter and cacao
Green Smoothie – baby spinach, almond milk, oatmeal, kiwifruit, avocado, cinnamon, maple syrup
Single-serve frittata muffins or savoury muffins (pre-made) – zucchini, pesto and fetta cheese frittatas; roasted capsicum, sun-dried tomato and bacon muffins; mushroom, parmesan, pinenut and quinoa frittatas
Family Favourites
The Classic – wholegrain breakfast cereal, milk, sliced banana, cinnamon and spoon of LSA
Toasters – wholegrain toast with avocado and fetta cheese with toasted sunflower seeds & pepitas; nut butter, sliced banana and cinnamon; ricotta cheese, sliced strawberries and drizzle of balsamic
Time-for-You Breakfast
Omelette – eggs, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, capsicum, mushrooms, baby spinach, herbs
Breakfast bowl – large spoon of quinoa, roasted baby tress tomatoes, avocado, poached egg, grated baby beets, slices of roasted jap pumpkin, lime wedge, dukkah