How hungry I am in the morning varies. Sometimes I wake up ravenous, whilst on other days I can happily wait until mid-morning before I eat. It often depends on what I’ve eaten/done the night before. If I have had a carb-free dinner or have exercised the previous evening, then my appetite will be more alert the next day.
At whatever time I do decide to break-the-fast, I always love and appreciate my first meal of the day.
I haven’t eaten cereal in a long time. Since not having it, I definitely realise how it didn’t agree with me! My go-to breakfasts these days are one of the three below (depending on my hunger level and time available):
Avocado & poached egg on toast
What on earth did I do before avocado on toast??? I honestly don’t know as it has become my staple for either breakfast, lunch or supper (when I’m just cooking for myself). I adore it. If I don’t have time to poach an egg, then I will have it simply on it’s own, or with some sliced tomatoes. I always add olive oil, salt & pepper to the mashed avocado and sometimes a little lemon juice or some chilli flakes. And the bread has to be wholemeal, granary or rye… or maybe a bagel as a treat.
Overnight oats
So much more pleasing and easy on my digestive system than traditional porridge! Overnight oats are another fairly recent addition to my repertoire that begs the question – how did I manage before? Such a tasty, filling and time-efficient breakfast. I make 2 at a time, as they happily keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. I use jam jars and fill them half way with oats, then I add 1/2 a grated apple, 1 tsp chia seeds, some raisins or dried cranberries and almond milk (enough so that all the oats are submerged). I then add a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. In the morning, I might top with blueberries or any other fruit I have. In the image below, I stewed some plums with honey, ginger & cinnamon – very easy to do and works with most fruit that needs using up from your fruit bowl!
Green smoothie
My Nutri-bullet has more than served it’s purpose in the 2 years I’ve had it. I am such a fan of green smoothies and have tried so many combinations. I now tend to revert to one of the following variations:
1) Kale, celery, cucumber, 1/2 banana, blueberries, seeds (chia/sunflower/pumpkin) and coconut water
2) Spinach, celery, 1/4 avocado, grapes, pineapple, nuts (almond/cashew) and coconut water (pictured below)
If you find the above combinations lacking in sweetness, then add a little honey or maple syrup. I used to always add honey, but I have weaned myself off it and now find that the coconut water adds sufficient sweetness for my liking.
What are your go-to breakfasts? As always, I’d love to hear from you!
9 comments
I am a real overnight oats convert. I put Co-op’s Summer Frozen Fruits in which are all melted and lovely by breakfast time – yum! I have been known to jump out of bed at 11pm with the cry, ‘Oooooo I haven’t done my overnight oats!’ It’s now a ritual. Love the idea of doing them in a jam jar as I grab and run and eat at work 🙂
PMSL at the idea of you jumping out of bed ‘cos you haven’t made your oats Jane!!!
It’s true! Ask Simon 😉
Ooh, I already love avocado on toast, particularly with poached egg (I like pretty much anything with a poached egg, to be fair!), but I really love the overnight oats idea. I have to try that! Thank you so much for the inspiration. x
Marion, I’m with you on the poached egg!!!!
Back on my SW plan tomorrow after 2 months off and a big American holiday ? So it will be back to my boiled egg, smoked salmon and spinach pot from Pret, tiny bit of salt and a skinny latte.
I wake up starving after a chinese the night before, drives me mad because it’s those real hunger pains that hurt! X
Good luck with Swimming World Rachel! You might like to follow my friend on Instagram @charlottep_s.w She is a great cook and is posting a daily SW food diary X
I too am a big fan of green smoothies and overnight oats for breakfast and they have been my breakfasts of choice for a while now. I love trying different combinations and find them both very filling! I can’t say the same about avocado on toast though – I’ve tried several times to make myself like avocado but it’s not working – the only way I can eat it is in a smoothie where I can’t taste it! I know I’m in the minority but I just don’t ‘get’ it! ? xxx
Ha, ha! I love that you have ‘tried’ to like avocado Julia!!