Whether you are a parent, workaholic, or busy college student, it can be extremely difficult to make time for breakfast in the morning. As the saying goes, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." But it isn't just a saying, it's true. Eating breakfast in the morning has many benefits, physically and mentally. Eating a balanced breakfast can help maintain body weight. Also, if a person eats breakfast in the morning, they are less likely to eat foods high in fats and sugars throughout the rest of the day, therefore lessening the possibility of gaining more weight. If you skip breakfast, you are unlikely to make up the required amount of vitamins and minerals the body needs daily. Lastly, breakfast gives you the energy you need to get you through a long and busy morning. So, here are five healthy breakfast ideas for you to try at home.
1. Coffee Protein Muffins (gluten-free and grain-free)
This is a recipe that would be more beneficial to make the night before, or during the weekend and store in the fridge. Also, this recipe calls for a shot of coffee, the perfect morning pick-me-up.
Recipe (makes eight muffins):
1 cup of almond flour (or any other gluten-free flour substitute)
1/4 cup of protein powder (your choice)
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 cup of non-flavored Greek yogurt
1/4 cup of milk (your choice)
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 shot of brewed coffee
2 tablespoons of maple syrup (use 4 if protein powder has no flavor)
-Heat the oven to 355 degrees F
-Grease muffin tin
-Mix all ingredients into a mixing bowl and pour into muffin tin
-Bake for 10-20 minutes (depends on depth of muffin tin)
These muffins can last for three to four days when placed in an airtight container and left in the fridge or on the counter at room temperature. Also, these muffins can last for months if put into the freezer!
2. Apple Cookies
These look extremely delicious, and they are super easy to make. Also, it is proven that an apple's natural sugars will give you the same boost of energy has coffee, and its healthier.
Recipe (makes eight cookies):
1 apple
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup chocolate chips (use dark chocolate for a healthier alternative)
-Slice apple into thin rings and remove the core
-Spread peanut butter onto the apple rings, and top with walnuts, almonds, and chocolate chips
-Sprinkle coconut shreds over each
3. Overnight Oats
There are many different overnight oats recipes on the internet, but lets focus on a berry-inspired one.
Recipe:
1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
4 ounces of Naked Juice Almond Berry Milk
Optional Toppings: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, shredded coconut
-Pour oats in a bowl (or a container with a lid, such as a mason jar)
-Pour Naked juice over oats and stir
-Place in the fridge overnight
-Top with optional toppings in the morning
4. Avocado Toast
A lot of people may be turned off by the consuming of avocados in the morning, but this is a personal favorite of mine. Avocados are filled with vitamins such as C and E, as well as monounsaturated fats that help with lowering blood pressure.
Recipe:
2 slices of bread (your choice)
1/2 of an avocado
Salt and pepper
Turmeric (optional)
-Toast the bread
-Spoon out avocado onto toast, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Turmeric
5. Purple Protein Smoothie
It's understandable. Some people may not be genuinely hungry in the mornings. But it is still important to intake the nutrients your body needs. The best way to do that is through a smoothie, and this smoothie happens to have 32.7 grams of protein, plenty to give you enough energy for the day.
Recipe:
3 ounces of blackberries
4 ounces of ice
6 ounces of milk (your choice)
6 tablespoons of protein powder (flavored preferably, your choice)
5 ounces of strawberries (remove stems)
1 lime, juiced
-Wash and prep berries
-Mix all ingredients into blender and blend for 30-40 seconds, or until desired consistency is reached
