Breakfast is meant to be the most ginormous meal of the day, and it’s one I really try to make as healthy as possible – no sugar, healthy protein and gluten free. Some foodies out there would call it a ‘clean breakfast’.
It has taken me forever to get into the routine of always having a substantial breakfast and now I can’t live without it. A typical breakfast for the English is most probably toast or cereal, which aren’t bad but certainly aren’t amazing. They probably won’t keep you full, are often full of sugar and may make you feel bloated.
As a child I only knew ‘boring’ cereals such as Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, All Bran (cardboard) and sugar free Muesli. Bread was always brown (which lead me to sell white bread to my siblings on the black market, for an affordable 10 pence a slice). Porridge was an occasional treat because we were allowed syrup with it. Often my Dad would keep his own box of Crunchy Nut in a cupboard which we would all try and steal it.
Truth is, is that most commercial cereals have a huge percentage of sugar in – often between 20-50%. Next time you’re in the supermarket take a look at the likes of Special K, Coco Pops, Wheetos, Cheerios, Cornflakes, Crunchy Nut etc…you will be shocked. Quite possibly the worst start to any day. They will give you a sharp increase in sugar and encourage your body to store fat instead. The wheat found in bread also converts to sugar very quickly and will have the same effect. Here are a few ideas of improving your breakfast, without doubt, the most important meal of the day:
1. Porridge
Oats, milk, a dash of honey and sprinkled with flaked almonds. Scrum fest. Jazz it up by topping with blueberries, raspberries or granola. Oats are low in gluten so you won’t be bloated and there’s no need to be scared of the high fat content in nuts.
2. Buckwheat pancakes
Wheat free and buckwheat flour is much tastier than regular flour. I have mine with natural yoghurt and sugar free jam rolled up. Beautiful.
3. Rye bread with poached eggs and plum tomatoes
This is my all time favourite. It is gorgeous. Bread in the toaster, eggs in a pan of water, tomatoes in a pan…plated up a few mins later seasoned with salt and pepper. Fantastic balance of protein, carbs and all round happiness when you jab your poached eggs and they’re done to perfection. Whenever my friend Angela comes over, we always have this for lunch.
A few more clean breakfast options include:
- Two egg omelettes are a great breakfast – add veg and goat’s cheese to make it irresistible.
- Yoghurt, granola and berries together are yum but slightly pricey to eat everyday.
- Smoothies will sustain you if they contain the right combination of ingredients …and make sure you always have a humongous glass of water before leaving the house.
Breakfast – eat like a king
Lunch – eat like a prince
Dinner – eat like a pauper
E xx