Most people find it harder to wake up feeling energised and sprightly during the winter months. The dark, cold mornings make it virtually impossible to jump out of bed ready for the day, which is why having an energising breakfast is essential if you don’t want to feel sluggish for hours on end.
Here are our favourite healthy breakfasts that will get you going and keep you healthy throughout winter.
- Nutty banana porridge
The best way to boost your energy is to have a meal comprising of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. That is why we love to have a nutty banana porridge first thing in the morning.
Porridge oats are packed with complex carbs, which are well-known for giving a slow release of energy throughout the morning. They also contain vitamin B, manganese, and iron, which provide an energy boost.
Bananas are also a good carb, as well as containing potassium, vitamin B and fibre. Therefore, the digestion of its sugar content will be slow, helping you to sustain energy for longer.
Make your porridge with almond milk, and add some chia seeds and nuts to get some protein into the meal. This will keep you feeling full, and you won’t experience those unwelcome sugar dips mid-way through the morning.
Adding some nut butter to your porridge, from almond to cashew, will boost your breakfast’s protein and fat content, keeping you feeling satisfied and reducing fatigue.
- Greek yoghurt and grains
Not all breakfasts need to be carb-heavy though, and a great choice for a lighter meal is Greek yoghurt with some wholegrains.
Greek yoghurt has a high protein content, while it also boasts magnesium, calcium, and B vitamins. All of these are great at releasing energy but won’t give you sugar spikes.
You could add your yoghurt to a smoothie or top it with fruit and some wholegrains like granola, oats, or quinoa. Making wholemeal toast and spreading a layer of Greek yoghurt, topped with berries, seeds or nuts, is also a delicious way to get carbs, protein, and fats into your breakfast.
- Eggs
Eggs are another great source of protein, so if you have time to whip up some scrambled or poached eggs in the morning, it is well worth it. For a quick option, scramble some eggs and serve with wholegrain toast and avocado.
Alternatively, you could make a shakshuka, comprising tomatoes, spinach, and peppers, or a breakfast burrito, with avocado, tomatoes, kale, and chipotle paste. These are packed with protein and healthy fats, so you’ll feel full and, most importantly, awake for longer.
- Chia and oat breakfast scones
Chia seeds are fast becoming the superfood of the decade, as they seem to be packed with everything you need – protein, carbs, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as calcium, manganese, and antioxidants.
The great thing about them is you can add them to everything – scrambled eggs, smoothies, porridge, overnight oats, and yoghurt bowls to name a few.
You can also bake these delicious chia and oat breakfast scones, which are made with wholemeal spelt flour, oats and milk as well. Once the scones are cooked, slice them in half and fill with Greek yoghurt and chopped strawberries for a delicious breakfast that has everything you need for a healthy start to the day. You can also make the scones in advance, so you can just wake up in the morning, heat one up and enjoy without any preparation work.
Chia seeds are not the only superfoods that are full of vital vitamins and minerals. There are plenty of super organic foods you could add to your breakfast to keep your diet on track and boost your health first thing in the morning, from senna leaf powder to ginger powder.
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