7 Easy Breakfast Ideas For When You're Low on Time
Breakfast is often somewhat of a controversial topic, some people say it's the most important meal of the day, while others aren't sold on the idea of breakfast, and some people are indifferent but just don't have time in the morning to eat something. Personally, I'm a fan, as I know having a wholesome meal in the morning helps to ensure I start my day right. If I don't feel like eating as soon as I wake up i'm fine with that, I just wait until i'm hungry. Studies have also shown that eating breakfast daily is is related with healthier dietary and physical-activity related behaviours (Arora et al., 2012).
Eating regular meals helps to ensure we have fuel in our tank to help us do all of our day-to-day activities, both physically and mentally. It prevents us from getting 'hangry' and eating anything and everything in sight, and consequently feeling overfull and uncomfortable. And it offers us the opportunity to fill our bodies with all the food and nutrition that helps us to feel our best.
One of the things I like most about breakfast is that it sets you up for good habits throughout the day, and this was also indicated in the study above. We know that if we eat something filling and satisfying in the morning, we are more likely to have stable energy levels throughout the day, and are less likely to reach for the doughnut with our morning coffee, and something from the vending machine in the afternoon. By filling our bodies with good food in the morning, it's much easier to eat well throughout the day, and it means we feel better because we're not running on empty. Basically, eating breakfast is a good habit to get in to.
Often people say that they don't have time for breakfast, and I get this! Sleep-ins are so tempting, especially as the weather starts to cool down, but making time in the morning to prepare and eat breakfast will help you feel more relaxed and not so rushed when you start your day. Regardless of how much time you have in the morning, I've put together some easy breakfast options that tick all the right boxes: nutritious, quick, easy and most importantly delicious.
1. Overnight oats - this is probably my favourite quick and easy breakfast. I have a couple of delicious recipes, here and here. As this is more of a warm weather breakfast, in Winter I will soak my oats, seeds, nuts with milk over night and then just microwave for around 2 minutes in the morning, then top with yoghurt or fruit, whatever I feel like.
2. Toast with pre-prepared frittata - Make a frittata on the weekend (it's as easy as putting veggies, eggs and cheese into a ceramic dish and baking), then enjoy it for your breakfast throughout the week with some grainy toast. I have a tasty recipe here.
3. Creamy porridge with fruit and yoghurt - put rolled oats in a saucepan, add water or milk and stir for 5 minutes or until they reach your desired consistency, it's really that easy! Can't stay at the stove for 5 minutes? Use the microwave, and just make sure your bowl is big enough that the oats won't spill over. Here are some very easy instructions.
4. Wholegrain toast with a tasty topping - I'm talking about something with some protein and healthy fats that will fill you up for more than five seconds. My favourite toast is wholemeal sourdough, and a few of my favourite toppers are: peanut butter and banana, avocado, eggs, and herbed ricotta.
5. Cereal with fruit and milk - there's nothing wrong with cereal! It's oh-so easy, and can be a really healthy breakfast option. Just make sure that you choose one that's high in fibre and low in sugar. My favourite cereal would have to be Weet-Bix.
6. Leftover veggie scramble - use a frying pan to heat up any leftover veggies you have in the fridge (roast veggies work brilliantly), then crack a couple of eggs in and make a scramble. This is a super nourishing and satisfying breakfast.
7. Fruit and yoghurt - super easy, mix some natural or greek yoghurt with some fruit, nuts, or granola and you have yourself a easy peasy breakfast.
Are you a breakfast eater? What are your go-to easy breakfast ideas??
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References:
Arora, M., Nazar, G., Gupta, V., Perry, C., Reddy, K. and Stigler, M. (2012). Association of breakfast intake with obesity, dietary and physical activity behavior among urban school-aged adolescents in Delhi, India: results of a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 12(1)
Follow me on Instagram, if you're not already doing so, I regularly post easy meal ideas.
