For all of us, the perfect breakfast would be breakfast in bed, or breakfast that we don’t need to prepare ourselves. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, and most of the time it means us getting up from our comfortable bed and preparing our breakfast.

Of course, buying an already prepared breakfast is always possible; however, it is not one of my favorite things for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is not the healthiest option, and most of the time you will end up eating a waffle or some other pastry. Which isn’t wrong, but you can give your body something healthier. Secondly, even if you do find a healthier option, it can be (and usually is) overpriced. In other words, you will end up paying way too much for a small cup of chia pudding.

Here are some simple ingredients to use for a quick and healthy breakfast that will not break your pockets.

Oats:

  • Cook very quickly and can also be soaked overnight, which will ensure you a ready-to-eat breakfast in the morning.
  • A great source of fiber and carbs. Oats contain more protein than many other grains and are also gluten-free!

Fruits (bananas, berries, apples or pineapples):

  •         Make a great topping for oatmeal or yogurt but are also great on their own!
  •         Natural fruit sugars wake up the body.
  •         All that fiber the fruit contains will keep you full for longer.
Photo courtesy of Stefani Stefovska

Yogurt (soy or coconut is a great option for those who are lactose intolerant):

Yogurt itself will not make you full and keep you going for very long, BUT:

  •         It is great for soaking the oats, having it with a fruit or using in  a smoothie.
  •         Good for digestion.

Eggs:

  •        Quick to prepare.
  •        Great source of protein and vitamin D.
  •        Relatively inexpensive.

Dark Leafy Greens:

  •         Rich in iron, magnesium, vitamin C and potassium.
  •         Great source of B vitamins.
  •         Great for smoothies.

Here are some breakfast recipes that you can try making using the ingredients mentioned above:

Overnight Tropical Oats

Overnight oats are extremely easy to make. You can substitute the coconut yogurt for a regular yogurt if you aren’t lactose intolerant (nevertheless, the coconut yogurt is amazing). The fruity ice-cream topping gives these oats a special tropical twist!

Photo courtesy of Stefani Stefovska
Photo courtesy of Stefani Stefovska
Photo courtesy of Stefani Stefovska
Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie

I have made this smoothie over 100 times, and it is my favorite tasting smoothie. It is very simple; you can omit or substitute the chia seeds with ground flax seeds. Also, you can use any type of milk (water works too!)

Photo courtesy of Amanda on Runningwithspoons
15-Minute Kale and Egg Bake

This is one is a very quick and healthy breakfast option. It is great because it includes both eggs and kale, and tastes beyond delicious!  You can use nutritional yeast instead of cheese if you are lactose intolerant or vegan.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Lin on Healthy Nibbles and Bits