Thursday, October 14, 2010

Easy or No-Cook Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yeah, we’ve all heard that from our moms, and we all know it’s true, but why do so many of us have trouble actually eating something? And if we do eat something, why do we make poor choices? I’m as guilty as the next guy. Quite often I have my coffee and I’m out the door. One time I decided leftover cake sounded good...it made me tired and sick the rest of the day.

I once read that breakfast is like putting a log on a fire that’s died down over night while we sleep. We need the fuel to set the tone for the rest of our day, otherwise we're playing catch-up until bed time. Did you know people who eat breakfast weigh less than someone who doesn’t eat breakfast? So if you’re skipping to save calories – stop it!

Bob Harper (The Biggest Loser) asked the question on his Facebook awhile ago, “Did you have breakfast today?” I was surprised by the answers. And knowing what I know, I was surprised at how many people thought they were giving ‘healthy’ answers. We have so much to learn about nutrition.

But I’ll save that ‘lecture’ for another day. Today I want to give you some healthy breakfast ideas to help start your day off right.

As always, remember to watch labels for high-fructose corn syrup, partially-hydrogenated oils and other chemicals and additives your body doesn’t need.

(c) 2009, Kathy Fannon; My 2-Egg, Veggie Overload Omelet!

Steel cut oats are a fabulous way to start the day! They are loaded with fiber and protein. I posted Multi-Grain Crockpot Oatmeal, which is always a favorite. It’s easily halved for someone who will be the only one eating it for the week.

Brittany Mullins, from Eating Bird Food has lots of great Overnight Oatmeal recipes and they are super easy to make. Also look for her oatmeal category for more ideas. (She loves oatmeal!)

2 Eggs (any way you like), Fruit, Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)

2 hard boiled eggs, apple

2 Egg Omelet with veggies (onion, pepper, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, whatever you like)

Greek yogurt with fruit and quality granola

Fresh veggies with hummus

Whole grain toast with peanut butter and raisins or fresh fruit

2 Egg Omelet with fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh chopped veggies and an apple

Egg frittata with peppers, onion, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella

Greek yogurt, melon and nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)

2 Egg omelet with spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese with whole grain toast

Egg salad on whole grain bread

Homemade breakfast burrito with eggs, spinach, peppers and onion

Fruit salad with fresh mozzarella

Whole Wheat-Honey Quinoa Muffin with nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans) and fruit

Poached egg on whole grain toast with fresh fruit or veggies

Rice and beans with veggies

Tomato/Mozzarella salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar with fresh fruit

Turkey sandwich with roasted peppers and onions (made the day before) on whole grain bread and fresh fruit

Fruit smoothies made with Greek yogurt (there are tons of recipes out there! Want help finding some? Let me know and I’ll tell ya where to look.)

A big plate of fresh fruit and/or vegetables

Leftover chicken with fresh veggies and/or fruit

Leftover soup

After reading about my breakfast experiment and discovering these breakfast ideas, are you willing to give breakfast a try? What might you do different in the morning now?

You may also enjoy:
Experimenting With A Happy Healthy Breakfast