Breakfast has been repeatedly called 'the most important meal of the day". While I have always thought this was another cheesy cliché with no real evidence to support, some digging would suggest that breakfast really is that important. Many studies have shown that eating breakfast in the morning breaks the overnight fasting period, replenishes the body's supply of glucose to boost energy levels and promote alertness. That being said, some people, myself included, have never grown a taste for breakfast. We come up with all different reasons--breakfast foods are too greasy or dense, we just are not that hungry in the morning, etc--to hate this meal, but the reality is our bodies need fuel in the morning to get started and energized. In order to get into regularly eating breakfast, I have tried many different tasty meals and have decided to share my favorite recipes.
1. Oatmeal
First up is oatmeal. Surprising, I know. Whenever I used to think of oatmeal, I would picture bland, flavorless sludge that just is not all that appealing. Little did I know, oatmeal would one day be the reason I would be excited to get out of bed. This meal is so versatile; you can add protein powders, fruits, spices, nut butters, maple syrup, and anything else you can come up with. Typically, I boil 1/2 cup oats with 1 cup water until I get my desired consistency, and I am left with a stunningly creamy bowl that I can add whatever toppings I want to. If you want some inspiration to get into eating oatmeal, here are some of my favorite recipes:
- Apple Pie Oatmeal : This recipe is the perfect way to indulge yourself with a healthy breakfast. With toppings like ginger, cinnamon, and chia seeds, this is a hearty oatmeal that will not let you down.
- Chocolate Orange Oatmeal : Using the same rolled oats base, raw cocoa powder is added in order to create a rich, delectable, chocolatey meal. Topping this with pomegranate arils and mandarin orange slices gives the chocolate oatmeal a sharp, tanginess that will spring you up really quickly.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats : If you are lazy in the kitchen or just not a morning person, overnight oats is the way to go. Adding oats, liquid, chocolate, and peanut butter in a jar or bowl overnight to marinate creates a perfect consistency the next morning. These oats taste a lot like Reece's peanut butter cups, making your morning that much better.
2. Muffins
My main issue with muffins in the past was that they tend to be very dry, sickly sweet, and lacking in flavor. These past few weeks, I have explored many recipes and have landed on my all time favorite sweet and savory recipes.
This first recipe is a sweet, chocolate chip mug muffin. Made in the microwave, this recipe can be extremely quick and tasty. If you are a person who is always on the go, this recipe can be made in less than ten minutes, and it can be portable to eat on the go. To make it, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, butter, vanilla, and chocolate are put in a microwavable bowl or mug. In 1.5-2 minutes of microwaving, breakfast is served. To view the full recipe and steps, refer to this blueberry mug muffin recipe, and change the toppings as you desire.
This next recipe was my first time trying a savory muffin. Also called a Scotch egg, this is a muffin with sausage, potatoes, and veggies with a soft boiled egg in the center. The muffin batter can be customized with whatever spices or fillings desired, and the soft boiled egg slowly cooks to perfection in the oven. If you are a person who needs protein in the morning, flavorless protein powder can be added to the batter. The powder and the egg creates a protein packed breakfast.
If these Scotch eggs are appealing to you, use Bon Appetit's Scotch egg recipe like I did and customize it to your liking.
3. Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is like oatmeal in that it is one of those delicious recipes that taste like dessert, take little to no time to make, and can be customized however you desire. I enjoy eating my chia pudding with dries fruits and chocolate, but nut butters, honey, and maple syrup would all be delicious additions.
The base recipe I use for chia pudding is typically 1/2 cup desired milk, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and honey to taste.
These recipes are high in fiber, helping you gut and overall digestion throughout the day.
- Chocolate Strawberry Chia Pudding : For the inner romantic and chocolate lover, this creamy chia pudding is good for the gut and the taste buds.
- Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding : If you want something that will remind you of family gatherings and warm fall spices, this chia pudding is extremely comforting and nostalgic. Sweetened with dates, this chia pudding is as healthy as it gets.
- Cinnamon Bun Chia Pudding : If you like cinnamon buns but would like a healthier alternative, this chia pudding gives you that cinnamon sugar flavor without the butter and bad fats.
4. Bowls
Normally, salad and grain bowls are viewed as a lunch or dinner food, but I have found that they are amazing for energizing me in the morning.
Pictured above is the bowl that I have eaten every morning for the past three weeks. In ten minutes, I can have a chopped spinach salad with vegan cheese, pistachios, flax seeds, cherry tomatoes, and sliced avocados. This is a balanced breakfast with nutritious greens, calcium, iron, and fats that will refresh you for the day.
If you have never eaten that yummy salad for breakfast, I highly suggest you try it. Greens are packed full of vitamins that your body will thank you for.
If you want a savory and fresh breakfast, I have three words for you: Millet. Fried. Rice. Millet is a small grain that is boiled, has the consistency of rice, but is gluten free. This means people with Celiac or Crohn's disease can enjoy this recipe without fear. Using the fried rice recipe from Anarcha's Kitchen, I created a grain bowl with a poached egg, chopped spinach, and sliced cucumbers. You get that salty savory goodness of any takeout fried rice as well as whatever nutritious toppings you feel like adding.
Even if none of my suggestions appeal to you, I encourage you to explore the world of breakfast foods. There is so much more to breakfast that simply eggs, bacon, and cheese. I suggest exploring all the different options out there before skipping truly the most important meal of the day.