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Okay, we get it: a healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After all, eating first thing in the morning has been linked with a lower risk of obesity and a lower risk of type-2 diabetes.
But sadly, to reap these benefits, you can’t eat just anything your heart desires.
“Breakfast is our chance to start the day with balanced nutrition that can stabilise blood sugars and regulate appetite for the rest of the day,” says registered dietician Cara Harbstreet.
But unfortunately, breakfast is traditionally a starchy paradise: white toast, muffins, croissants, pancakes, doughnuts and more make up some of the most ubiquitous breakfast foods.
“This can be good for energy levels, but it doesn’t last unless we have other elements for satiety,” she says.
Read more: 5 toast toppings to get you through the avo drought
Instead, aim for a balanced meal that includes lean protein, healthy fats and fibre-rich carbs.
“Balancing foods give you a steady stream of energy,” heading off a sugar rush and hunger pains before your next meal, says registered dietician Kristina LaRue.
“Compare a doughnut to an egg omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. That balanced energy will help you power through the morning.”
To help you figure out if your breakfast hits the mark, measure your morning meal against this simple equation: breakfast = Lean protein + healthy fat + fibre-rich carbs.
Stick with eggs, Greek yoghurt and lean breakfast meats, which helps control your blood sugar and gives your body the building blocks for strong bones and muscles, says LaRue.
Combine your choice of lean protein with whole grains like oats, whole-grain bread or quinoa, and fruits and vegetables, which provide fibre and complex carbohydrates that help you feel full longer.
And don’t shun fats like nut butters, avocado and olive oil. Your body needs fat to absorb vitamins in your food and they contribute to the “fullness factor”, says LaRue. (Meaning, they’ll help you feel satisfied for longer.)
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And don’t be afraid to think outside of the traditional breakfast box, says Harbstreet.
“If we expand options to include foods or ingredients more common in lunch or dinner meals, we introduce more variety and convenience,” she says.
“In some cases, dinner leftovers from the night before can be one of the best choices to save time, clean-up and effort in the early morning hours.”
If you need inspiration, here are some healthy breakfast options that make the grade.
Overnight oats
Try LaRue’s High Protein Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats, which will satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a good dose of protein, thanks to the addition of cottage cheese and fibre.
Breakfast toast
Your morning bread doesn’t have to be just butter and jam. LaRue loves making savoury breakfast toast. Top your toast with ricotta cheese, burrata or feta cheese and veggies like tomatoes, avocado or rocket. Add an egg, seeds or nuts and you have a balanced meal. Harbstreet also loves whole-grain toast with peanut butter topped with fresh figs and dried cranberries.
Baked oats
Harbstreet’s go-to recipe combines oats with milk, dried or chopped fruit and some egg to bind it all together. “I’ll bake them in muffin tins so they can be a grab-and-go option, or reheated in a bowl,” she says. “I pair them with a container of yoghurt and handful of raw or roasted nuts.”
Veggie hash
If you have leftover veggies in the fridge, transform them into a hearty breakfast in under 10 minutes. Add them to two scrambled eggs and top with a small amount of cheese, says Harbstreet.
This article was originally featured on www.womenshealthsa.co.za
Image credit: iStock
