What do you think of when you think of breakfast?

Bagels, toast, pancakes, waffles, (substitute your refined carb of choice here)?

I’d like to challenge you to think differently. Even to reconsider that “healthy” fruit smoothie.

Here’s why…

Refined carbs and even carbs from fruit, jack up our blood sugar, often setting us up for a crash a few hours later, followed by cravings for more, and so on throughout the day.

Try thinking of protein as your main food start and add a little fruit or other complex carbohydrate on the side. Or maybe no carb at all – scandal!

Suggestions:

• Poached eggs on a bed of lightly sauteed greens.
• Eggs in any form – scrambled, over-easy, poached, you get the idea.
• Plain yogurt with no added sugar – add a handful of nuts or ½ cup of fresh berries.
• If you gotta have your toast, make it a whole grain bread and top it with almond or peanut butter for a boast of protein & healthy fat. And stick to one piece so maybe have it with your scrambled eggs.

Or for the Vegan’s among us (really good and yummy for non-vegans too!):

• Veggie “Omelet” (without the eggs) – lots of chopped up veggies lightly stir-fried in a small amount of olive oil. Top with avocado for healthy fat to keep you full longer.
• Tofu Scramble – crumble up some firm tofu in a pan and throw in all those veggies you love like onion, garlic, tomato, bell peppers, and a little seasoning of your choice. Cook it up like scrambled eggs.
• Erin’s Low Carb Oatmeal – ¼ cup uncooked whole oats combined with 1 tablespoon flaxmeal, a small handful of chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut, and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Add it to a pot together with ¾ cups water & cook it up on the stove till thick. When its done, top with a dollop of coconut oil for healthy, stick-to-your-ribs fat.
• Miso Soup – pretend you are in Japan and eat breakfast like the Japanese do. I make a pot and keep it in my fridge for the week. You can add a little brown rice or egg to make it heartier.

Most importantly, I encourage you to think outside the refined carb box so that the most important meal of the day sets you up for success and good health!