“Breakfast is the day’s most important meal!” is a phrase we probably hear quite often, right? And it is quite true: a good breakfast jumpstarts the body’s metabolism and provides the necessary nutrients to face the day ahead.
And yet…
So often, we pay little or no attention to what we have for breakfast, which then turns into the day’s most boring meal. We sometimes even skip breakfast altogether!
There are a number of reasons why this happens, like:
- Time -- many of us get out of bed with just enough time to clean up, get dressed, have a cup of coffee and some toast or whatever before dashing off to work or school;
- Habit -- ever since we were little, we learned how breakfast is “supposed to be”. Either from watching our parents hurrying along in the morning (see “Time”, above) or from countless cereal commercials on TV… it would seem that there’s no room for creativity in the morning;
- Comfort -- coffee, OJ and toast are easy and quick, so why bother with anything else?
Here’s why: coffee, OJ and toast can hardly provide what your body and your brain need to tackle the morning, which for many of us is the day’s most challenging part.
So, this week, we have for you a few tips on how to fall in love with breakfast again! Ready? Here we go:
Less is more
Don’t try to put everything into breakfast, like some diners and fast food chains try to do: there’s no real need (unless your work or workout routine demands it) to have eggs, pancakes, sausage, hash, bacon, butter, syrup, muffins… all heaped on one plate! A breakfast like that is called a “grand slam” for a reason: after you eat it, it slams your energy levels right back down to almost nothing!
Instead, try a fresh smoothie (done in minutes!) or a small but nutritious portion of whole grain cereals with cultured milk products (yoghurt, kefir, etc). Or have your eggs, pancakes, hash, etc., just not all on the same day!
Have your breakfast at home
Yes, I know: it is SO tempting to dash out the door and stop by your favorite coffee shop and pick up a latte and a muffin on the way to work or school. However, this habit can become quite heavy, and expensive: depending on how you order it, that latte & muffin combo can load you with over 800 calories in minutes! And at about $140 dollars a month, those are some pricey calories!
Instead, regain control over what goes into your body in the mornings by making your own breakfast. It IS more work, that is true, but in the end it pays off!
Proteins
Proteins are a must for a good breakfast experience: without them, your brain just has a much harder time performing at the peak levels you need in the mornings. Fortunately, there are loads of breakfast-friendly protein sources out there: yoghurt, chia seeds, beans, eggs, ham, dried nuts and nut milks… there’s something for everyone!
Prep ahead
Perhaps you just don’t have time in the mornings to bother cooking anything. We get it. It happens to all of us. In that case, plan ahead and make your breakfast the night before! On Cookpad, you can find tons of tasty recipes that can be made ahead, stored in the fridge, and eaten in the morning, either cold or after a quick run through the microwave. Egg muffins? Overnight oats? Quiches? Just three ideas, there are so many more!
With these tips and a few inspiring recipes from your fellow Cookpadders, you’ll soon find that breakfast can be quite a tasty experience! Enjoy!
