You all have heard it before and it still holds true. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! A coffee and a slice of toast just doesn't cut it. It will not hold you over and you are likely to be hungry within the hour and that is when you will grab something else sweet and fulfilling... sound familiar?
So start your day off right. If you get "the goods" in early, your body will be very happy. Even if you are the type of person that really just isn't that hungry in the morning, at the very least have a green juice or a glass of water with some lemon and a piece of fruit, and maybe even a handful of nuts. Other balanced breakfast ideas for ones with more of an appetite may be a smoothie, bowl of oatmeal, granola with almond milk, slice of Ezekiel toast with almond butter, sheep's yogurt and fruit or maybe some hearty oatmeal pancakes!
Whatever you choose to eat, make sure it is balanced and will provide you with sufficient protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and fibre. These nutrients will give you energy, keep you satisfied and make sure your metabolism is off to a healthy start. Just remember the more balanced the breakfast, the less likely you are to have cravings throughout the day (and, more importantly, at night!).
There are so many ways to get these nutrients in your breakfast and not even focus strictly on one isolated nutrient. If you chose whole food ingredients and combine them wisely, you will definitely be getting all the nutrients your body needs to get you going! Here are some tips.
Protein: Organic egg omelet with avocado or goat cheese, almond butter and toast, quinoa porridge, Hemp or Sun Warrior protein powder in smoothie.
Healthy fat: Almond butter or avocado on your toast, coconut oil in your smoothie, nuts and seeds on sheep yogurt or oatmeal.
Carbohydrates: High-fibre, whole grain bread, whole grain cereal -- cooked from the whole grain (quinoa, barley, oats, kamut, amaranth, millet), home made granola or a breakfast muffin.
Use this as a guideline and don't skip breakfast. You are not doing your body any good by starving it of calories when it needs them the most! Make sure you have enough time in the morning to eat something decent and not grab breakfast on the go.
And for the mornings or weekends when you have more time, you may even want to indulge and make a little feast of breakfast goodness. Oatmeal pancakes are hearty and delicious, full of fiber, complex carbohydrates and great for the kids too!
Oaty Banana Blueberry Pancakes
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup spelt flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups rice or almond milk
1-2 tablespoon maple or coconut sugar
2 tablespoon ground sprouted flax, chia seeds
1 tablespoon applesauce
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup blueberries
1. Mix the oats, spelt flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder in one bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine all the rest of the ingredients and allow the mixture to sit for a moment while you heat a skillet.
3. When the pan is hot, add your coconut oil.
4. Stir your pancake batter (add more water if necessary).
5. Pour a small amount of batter (about three inches in diameter) in the pan -- you may be able to fit two to three circles in one pan.
6. Cook until bottom is brown and all sides are completely dry.
7. Serve with maple syrup coconut flakes, fresh fruit, almond butter, apple butter or all natural fruit preserve. ENJOY!