If you are already consuming a range of different foods throughout the rest of the day, then having the same breakfast each morning is not a major problem. However if you're eating tends to be more limited, then your health will suffer. 

There are some easy ways you can mix up your breakfast, without adding to the morning rush. Sprinkle fresh or frozen fruit, and different nuts and seeds over your breakfast cereal. Instead of having vegemite on toast each day, mix up your toppings. Try peanut butter, or hummous and tomato. Choose a different type of bread, or have ryvitas with cottage cheese and cucumber for a change. Mix up your foods and make your breakfast just a little bit different each day. It'll stop you from getting bored and ensure you're getting the best nutrition possible.

 

 

Making smoothies at home is the best way to ensure your smoothie is a healthy meal, as you'll know exactly how it's made. While it takes a little more effort, I'd suggest the effort is worth it. 

I use a stick blender for making a smoothie, simply because it's less hassle than getting the full food processor and blender out the cupboard. Plus it's easier to wash up afterwards, especially as I make my smoothies in the same cup I drink from.

 

I've written about smoothies before and this post has some suggestions on different ingredients you can use to make healthy smoothies which taste delicious.

As you may know, I enjoy having eggs for breakfast and yesterday I made a version of Mostly Eating's zucchini flecked scrambled eggs.

 

It's a simple meal, suitable for breakfast, lunch or a light dinner. The addition of zucchini means you're getting about two serves of vegetable, plus it's frugal eating, even if you buy the best egg saround.

 

And of course, it's delicious. The addition of the zucchini seems to make the scrambed eggs lighter.

 

I don't have a julienne peeler, so I grate the zucchini on the finest blade. This time I added about a half teaspoon of chermoula to the zucchini as it was cooking, instead of using mint.

 

A really good way to start the day.

 

 

Porridge is a great start to the day. It's easy to prepare, inexpensive, full of low GI carbohydrates, together with some protein and fibre. I particularly enjoy porridge when the weather is cold. There's something hearty and reassuring about starting your day with a bowl of warming porridge.

 

However, I find basic porridge can get quite dull. Even drizzled with a bit of honey, or brown sugar, after a few days I'm bored. So I've found there are a number of ways you can change the flavour of your morning bowl of porridge, to make it more interesting.

 

Use spices: adding spices like nutmeg, allspice, cloves, cinnamon or even the mixed spice blend is a really simple way of oomphing up the flavour. I usually add these while cooking my porridge, but you can also sprinkle over at the end.

 

Add some fruit: recently I've been stirring grated apple through my porridge, but I also regularly add in slices of banana or some frozen berries towards the end of the cooking time. If you don't have fresh fruit, then sultanas, dried apricots and even figs are delicious.

 

Think about seeds: a scattering of pepitas, especially if they've been toasted, is quite delicious, offering a contrast in texture as well as flavour and nutrition. I also like Mindful Foodie's idea of cooking chia seeds in with the porridge.

 

Try different grains: while traditional porridge is made with oats, there is no reason why you can't use other grains to make a porridge-like breakfast. I regula rly use barley, Sophie from Mostly Eating makes a quinoa version, while you could also use polenta or cooked brown rice.

 

Sprinkle over some toasted granola: while granolas are often high in fat and sugar, a small sprinkle over a bowl of porridge isn't going to damage the nutritional goodness of your breakfast. However it will add flavour, texture and interest. Or alternatively you could also make your own lower fat and sugar version.

 

Try some tea: rather than adding flavourings at the end, you can also flavour the milk or water which is used to cook the porridge. I've heard of people cooking porridge in jasmine or earl grey tea, or you could also try a chai-spiced version.

 

Make a fruit compote: one of my favourite ways to add flavour to porridge is by spooning over some stewed fruit or a fruit compote. Cooking up some apples, pears or rhubarb with a bit of orange juice and ginger, is an easy weekend task. The fruit mixture can then be separated into smaller portions and frozen. ... Read More...