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We’re supposed to breakfast like kings, so they say. And no… it doesn’t mean we dine using fine china and have a manservant wait on our every need…. Although that does sound nice.
Rather, the old adage recommends we eat more earlier in the day. It isn’t rocket science. In fact it’s logical. If food is fuel (as they say) we are – quite simply – fuelling our bodies for a day of activity. By the time evening arrives, we only have a delicious slumber awaiting us – so it makes sense that we need less food or fuel as the day wears on.
Sadly I fail parlously when it comes to the part of the adage suggesting we ‘dinner like a pauper’. I’m a creature of habit and LOVE my large evening meals and the ceremony surrounding them.
But, never fear, I am well aware of the importance of a good breakfast and it’s a long (LONG) time since I dined on diet coke alone, first thing in the morning.
When working I was a get-up and get-out kinda gal, so didn’t dilly dally over breakfast; in fact I’d more often than not eat on the move.
At the moment of course, I have more time to dine, but I am stuck in a bit of a breakfast rut.
As a coeliac my options are a little limited but I find myself having the SAME breakfast day in and day out. And sadly, that involves eggs – which (you may remember from last month’s post) are great in small amounts, but daily (or more than daily) are not conducive to a diet aimed at lowering your cholesterol and maintaining a healthy heart.
I’ve tried to make some changes – occasionally indulging in gluten-free cereal with milk or yoghurt, but that’s about the extent of my experimentation.
In this series about heart health and cholesterol, I’m trying to make healthier decisions. Although my levels are only borderline I need to focus on foods to lower my cholesterol. I know I also need low GI options to keep me full longer.
When I was working and always rushed I didn’t really care a lot about what I ate for breakfast; I just knew I needed to have something to get me through the morning (and so I wasn’t drinking my diet coke on an empty stomach!). But while I’m not working it’d be nice to have something healthy AND exciting.
In short I need delicious (and healthy) breakfast recipe and food options. So… hit me with your suggestions.
PS. Oh and don’t forget, I don’t actually eat any fruit other than apples. Which I eat sometimes. (ie. When forced.)
PPS. And I don’t like scary veges. Like mushrooms. Or smelly fish. Like sardines.
PPPS. And I’m coeliac.
But other than that… I’ll eat almost anything. 😉
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* I’m linking up with Essentially Jess and her IBOT team today.
July 9, 2013
One of my favourite breakfasts is just muesli and yoghurt with a few toasted almonds on top. It’s simple and tasty and meets a lot of nutritional and energy needs. My other favourite is poached eggs on toast but I only do that if I’m eating out.
July 10, 2013
Yes, I don’t mind cereal and yoghurt but sometimes find GF cereal doesn’t fill me up much. I guess that’s why you need the yoghurt or milk or need to add some protein.
Deb
July 9, 2013
Have you checked out paleo breakfasts? Lots of those are gf I think …
July 10, 2013
I definitely should Lou Lou as (you know) I love my protein… I do try to have protein at brekkie now but it’s a great idea to suss out paleo sites and recipes for more suggestions!
July 9, 2013
I would go for the Freedom Gluten free oats with some of my apple salsa, natural yoghurt, a few seeds and a bit of honey. xxx
July 10, 2013
Will check out the oats Liz, as I presume they’re not real oats (which aren’t GF). So many of the mueslis I’ve seen have fruit in them. I did try a brand a year or so ago (wrote a blog post about it) and really enjoyed them but then had a bad reaction once and now even the thought of it makes me queasy. (I shouldn’t ‘tar’ others with the same negativity though!)
Deb
July 9, 2013
It must be so hard. I suppose Gluten free bread for toast and some yummy toppings – I like poached eggs and spinach (hope that isn’t a scary vegetable ;)) What about a smoothie? Can you eat fruit that way – be great to use some of that milk with strawberries for a healthy and easy start to the day.
July 10, 2013
Sadly Annaleis I forgot to add ‘green leafy stuff’ to the things I don’t eat.
I like the smoothie idea but the lack of fruit I eat makes it problematic. A decade or so ago (on a health kick) I started to try to eat a banana smoothie every day but I really had to blend the banana well (and then sieve it) cos if I got a lump I would gag. I don’t mind the ‘taste’ of banana but not the texture or ‘idea’ of it…..
*Sigh*
July 9, 2013
I’ve never understood people who skip breakfast, as I am always STARVING when I wake up!
I’m also a creature of habit – love the same thing for breakfast every morning. At the moment it’s Uncle Toby’s Plus with Fibre 🙂 which I guess is a no-no for a coeliac …
Visiting from #TeamIBOT xxx
July 10, 2013
Hi Janet, I’m often not STARVING when I wake, though I’ve heard it’s good if you are (your body is in tune or something…) but even if I spend a bit of time on the computer first I still have breakfast when I have a break (sometimes it is 10am…. 😉 )
It’s true Uncle Toby’s is a no-no for me, but you’ve reminded me of my old fave cereals… which was sadly Coco Pops. Ahhhh…. the good old days!
Deb
July 10, 2013
LOL – I don’t think I have anything to help you as I follow a paleo lifestyle so no sugar, no wheat and no dairy – lots of veggies, some fruit and protein !
Having said that, I do feel so good since I cut out sugar and if I do have something to eat with wheat and dairy – I generally land up feeling very bloated and blurgh !
Good luck with your changed eating plan !
Have the best day !
Me
July 10, 2013
Hi there and thanks for dropping by. I’m a lover of protein so don’t mind the paleo options but love (love love) my carbohydrates, so would struggle. I am aware though that protein for brekkie (and low GI carbs of course) is an excellent start to the day!
Deb
July 10, 2013
You’re a bit of a challenge, Deb. 😉
How about eggs a couple of times a week, with mostly white, just one yolk? I make my omelettes and scrambles that way. Yes, I do stuff them with scary mushrooms, but you can use a bit of tomato, some chopped spring onion, capsicum, a little reduced fat cheese.
Or an apple crumble, with the topping made from GF muesli? Easy as! Or pancakes…. plenty of GF options, especially if you make them yourself. Ideally, served with FRUIT, but whatevs. 🙂 You could use a GF mix from the supermarket and serve them with your favourite yoghurt.
Trawl through Pinterest for GF muffin recipes – there must be something amongst those that you’d like. Maybe sneak some grated apple into the mix to make them healthier and tastier.
July 10, 2013
I usually only have one egg when I have my normal brekkie, though sometimes scramble two on a weekend.
I like the pancake idea and my mother is always buying GF mixes of stuff she finds (I noticed a mix in her cupboard on this visit). Talking about muffins, you’ve reminded me of a frittata / thingy I used to make in muffin tins – so each one was about 100 calories (equiv of an egg, small amount of ham, tomato etc and bit of milk). I used to actually eat them as a ‘snack’ for morning /afternoon tea when I was ‘dieting’. Mind you… it still involves eggs I guess.
I will check out some muffin recipes though.
And yes… I am a bit of a challenge… 😉
July 10, 2013
Hi Deb,
Not eating fruit makes it tough! I have a breakfast that I love each morning…and it keeps me going all morning. I’ll list it all out and then see how we can modify it. But basically it is:
– 1 cup raw oats with died fruits and bran (you can get gluten free oats)
– 1 banana
– 1 kiwi or other fruit
– 2 tablespoons frozen berries (very high in antioxidants!)
– 1 tablespoon mixed seeds
– 2 tablespoons yoghurt
– 1 tablespoon honey
As you can see I do eat like a king! (you could probably halve everything) But I go for a lot of bike rides so I burn it all off. But the general idea of my breakfast is to get a low gi carb base and then pack it in with heaps of nutrients. Are you not able to eat fruit or you just don’t like it? Honey is also amazing for you. Anyway, I’m not sure if this is your cup of tea….but if you can modify to your taste you should give it a go as it will get you full of energy!
July 10, 2013
I actually just don’t like fruit and at my age it’s hard to change my perception…. I could probably look at my current cereal option and add some seeds and honey as well as the yoghurt.
July 11, 2013
haha Yeah fair enough. How do you get all your vitamins then? Do you take some supplements? Eating fruit will actually put far less stress on the body through digestion. For example meat can take between 30-50 hours to pass through the body, where as fruit can be digested in 3-5 hours. This is one of the reasons why you feel so fresh and full of energy after fruit as it is much more efficient for the body. So if you feel a bit sluggish, then fruit could potentially be an answer for you.
I’m sure I’m not the first person to encourage you to try fruit…so I’ll leave it at that! haha
July 11, 2013
I probably do need to consider supplements. Until the past year or so I’ve basically been fairly healthy and haven’t suffered any obvious ill effects from my lack of fruit and veges. (Since finishing work I’ve been battered with a few illnesses though!)
July 10, 2013
I have no suggestions, being the fussiest eater in the world.
The diet coke didn’t sound too bad to me 😉
July 10, 2013
Oh absolutely Jess!
July 16, 2013
Deb- I’m afraid that I have nothing to offer you by way of a new breakfast food suggestion. I just wanted to chime in that I am one of those people who will move heaven and earth to get in a breakfast first thing in the morning. For years breakfast was on the fly – so many other things came first. Now, breakfast comes first before any other thing. It only takes a few extra mimutes in the morning and for some reason it is the most relxing ten minutes of the day. I’m not a celiac and I love fruit so there is something always to toast up and spread cheese over. You remind me of my son who refuses anything green and hates fruit. Part of it has to do with the fact that he is color blind and most veggies look like brown mush to him. Do you like avocado – that’s a yummy alternative to anything.
July 16, 2013
I have to admit I don’t even like avocado!
I like your comment about taking the extra time at breakfast and how relaxing it can be. Even though I’m not currently working I breakfast at my desk in front of the computer (that’s also how I eat my lunch come to think of it!!!). I must try just ‘sitting’ and enjoying my brekkie as I regularly do that thing where I reach for the next bite – only to find that it’s all gone!
Deb