I have been trying to change what I eat for breakfast, and found some great online resources that I would like to share.
Throughout the years and different phases of my life, I have struggled with breakfast. With the basic understanding that I need to eat something, my phases have included:
The College Years
Waking up at 11:45am, just in time for my first class of the day (at noon, I know...sad, sad), and this obviously created a breakfast challenge: literally no time to eat, no kitchen to cook with (living on-campus in dorm), and was not awake enough to really feel like eating, anyways.
The Young Professional Years
Well, I still had the issue of waking up too late to eat breakfast, but this time the consequences were more significant. I no longer could "roll out of bed" (and look like I did), could not wait an hour until class was over as I did before to eat, and either had a meeting to sit through, or would have an angry boss if I were late. My breakfast-of-choice usually ended up being a frozen waffle, toasted barely enough to be non-frozen, with a cup of coffee.
The New Mom
As a mom with an infant, the timing of breakfast could be anywhere from 2am until 10am, and as I was usually severely sleep-deprived, the phrase "choose foods wisely that are healthy and nutritious" was not an option; I was lucky if I managed to "choose something edible".
Mom of a Busy Toddler
This is my current state, and luckily life is a bit easier and predictable now. I have the same bedtime and rise time, and as I want to feed my son healthy foods, I now take the time to feed myself healthy foods as well. We are in a rush on some days (it takes an hour to get dressed, as he is exerting his independence...but that's a different story...). I still find it difficult to not only eat a healthy breakfast, but one that is quick(er) and not a large meal to cook. Convenience breakfast foods are very tempting, and I have yet to find one at the grocery store that meets my criteria: high fiber, low sugar, whole wheat, nutritious (vitamins & minerals), low fat, good protein, as well as filling and satisfying. Some products come close, but I am always sacrificing something (usually either fiber or sugar). There are a few organic, high fiber, whole wheat cereals and prepared pancake mixes that I have found acceptable, and it is easy to add my own sweetener (usually honey or Stevia).
I have also read about the importance of trying to add more vegetables, fruits and protein into your meal at breakfast, and to lessen the amount of carbohydrates consumed. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with the good carb, but I have found that I feel better if I concentrate on eating milk, egg, veggies and juice in the morning (compared to eating lots of baked good, or even cereal, in the morning). I love carbs, and actually prefer to save my servings for later in the day.
I'm curious if anyone has healthy breakfast recipes or other foods that they enjoy, and would like to share? I found a great article on this topic (7 pages long!) titled, Healthy Breakfast Ideas and Recipes. Another article, 10 Tasty, Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas was also a good read.
One recipe idea for you that I've enjoyed: making pancakes in advance, and adding ricotta cheese to batter (added protein!) and blueberries, adding more nutrients and fiber (1 cup equals about 4 g fiber). (You can view more fiber-rich foods at the Tufts Health and Fiber page.
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My favorite is Spiru-Tein tri-part pea, rice and soy protein. They have it at Hi-Health, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I love the flavor and have found that it mixes the best.
This website gives all of the nutrition facts:
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp81184_333181_sespider/natures_plus/spiru_tein_high_protein_energy_meal_vanilla.htm
July 13, 2009 - 5:08pmThis Comment
Thanks so much, Shana! I'll give it a try. I'm always looking for ways to incorporate more protein in my diet because in the past I've always been such a carb junkie.
July 13, 2009 - 5:23pmThis Comment
Thanks for this post! I used to eat way too many carbs in the morning and didn't realize that's why I'd crash by mid-morning and feel completely lethargic. I now start the day with a quick bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and yogurt or skim milk. I'm into Greek style yogurt lately because it has three times more protein than a lot of other common yogurts like Yoplait. I also love Kashi Golean Crunch (it was also mentioned in the second article you directed us to) because it's so packed with protein and fiber. Sometimes I'll have it with yogurt and it keeps me filled up till lunch. On the weekends when I have more time, I'll make an egg-white omelet filled with low-fat cheese, and lots of veggies like fresh spinach, red/orange/yellow peppers, mushrooms, broccoli or whatever I have in my fridge. I'm also drinking Muscle Milk once or twice a day to get added protein - I love the chocolate flavor.
July 13, 2009 - 10:39amThis Comment
Alison,
Great post!! I'm working on making better choices myself now, and have found that a big bowl of strawberries and blueberries with a few shelled sunflower seeds sprinkled over the top is really satisfying me this summer. Your blueberry-ricotta pancakes sound amazing, however; care to share your recipe for that? I'm a pancake nut and would adore a pancake recipe I didn't need to feel guilty about.
July 13, 2009 - 9:21amThis Comment