The most important meal of the day?
Posted by kathryn in A Balanced Diet
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, sorry about that – I’ve been visiting the whales up in sunny Hervey Bay , but I’m now back, I’m cooking and thinking about brekkie.
I’ve never been one of those people able to miss breakfast. Without breakfast I’m both vague and stroppy at the same time, which is not much fun (for me or the rest of the world).
Hadar at Vegetable Adventures has been blogging about breakfast conservatism, which I’m certainly guilty of. While I’ll eat all different foods for the rest of the day, my breakfast choices are limited to cereal, toast, yoghurt, fruit and the occasional egg – which really shows up my British heritage.
However, I also like my breakfast to be a healthy choice, something full of nutrition and low GI. One of my favourite choices is my own home-made muesli. While there are many, many choices of muesli in the supermarket, ranging from the bland to the super-gourmet, making my own means I can have it just the way I like it. Most shop-bought mueslis are just not interesting enough for me – I like different grains, lots of nuts, a variety of dried fruit and lots of texture. Over all this, however, I want it to TASTE GOOD.
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day and while I tend to think that all meals are important, breakfast is probably the most frequently missed meal. I see many clients who don’t eat breakfast, for all sorts of reasons – lack of time or hunger, or they complain if they have breakfast they’re hungry two hours later.
However studies have continually shown the importance and benefits of eating breakfast. From improved concentration throughout the day, to helping with weight loss , breakfast is also linked to reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If you’re not having breakfast, now is the time to start.
My personal top ten favourite breakfasts are:- My home-made muesli with milk, yoghurt and some stewed apple
- Porridge with maple syrup and banana
- Left over brown rice mixed with yoghurt, sultanas and maple syrup
- Wholegrain sourdough toast with fresh avocado and sliced tomato
- Boiled egg and vegemite soldiers (!)
- Smoothie made with low fat milk, yoghurt, fresh berries and honey
- Baked beans on wholegrain toast
- Richard’s French toast
- Really good fruit bread toasted with ricotta and jam
- Sauteed mushrooms, tomato and spinach on wholegrain toast
If you’re not used to having breakfast, then why not start with a smoothie each morning. They’re easy to “eat” and you can whizz one up at home in minutes, using fresh or frozen berries, some low fat milk and yoghurt.
I’ve made a batch of muesli today, so I’ll post some pictures and the recipe tomorrow.
06 September, 2006
Comments
Oatmeal with some peanut butter stirred in for me please!
Vanessa, I’m really intrigued by that. From my English background and Australian perspective I would never have thought of putting peanut butter in my porridge. Is this a common US coupling, or a specific Vanessa creation? I’m going to have to try this.
I’m proud to say that it’s a Vanessa creation – been doing it for years! I think I’ve hooked my coworkers on it because the smell is addictive. I often throw some sultanas in there, but your stewed apples would be fantastic too.
When I was younger, my mom would sometimes put peanut butter on toast and drizzle it with maple syrup. Yum.
Hi there Ken, thanks for visiting Limes & Lycopene. That certainly sounds like a decadent breakfast. I’m a big maple syrup fan – and regularly have it on porridge.
My champion breakfast is peanut butter, honey & banana on wholegrain toast – gets me through to lunchtime guaranteed!
Peter, that’s a combination I’ve never actually tried. But you’re having protein, low GI carbohydrates, as well as lots and lots of vitamins & minerals – so it makes a great start to the day.
Leave a comment