It can be incredibly hard and unbelievably challenging trying to convince people that what they were told, and all they have been taught is not correct after all. Typically, we Brits are stubborn little so-and-so's, who hate to hear that we are wrong. After all, if it says it's healthy on the label, it must be! Right?... Now, bearing in mind that a bowl of Special K 99% fat free cereal contains the same levels of sugar as a fudge brownie, these cereals (and many other products) aren't as healthy as they are advertised to be.In the UK, we are one of only a few countries which eat a different meal for breakfast than we do for lunch or dinner. In places like china, noodles and pak choi are the norm as a morning meal as well as throughout the day; but you wouldn't catch us eating a roast dinner at 7am over here!
I always recommend that each meal we eat contains servings of fat, protein and carbohydrates; most people are fine with this when it come to eating during the day or evening, however most struggle to apply these rules to the most important meal of the day, breakfast. This is due to our upbringing of toast, cereal and fry ups being the norm; therefore causing us great confusion in what we should or should not be eating.
Unfortunately, another barrier is our lack of creativity; when attempting to eat a healthy diet for the first time, we end up making the same old, bland meals day after day before eventually getting bored and going straight back to the junk - or in breakfast's case, the high sugar 'healthy' cereals.In order to give you a little inspiration and a gentle kick in the right direction, I am sharing with you some of my favourite breakfasts! The thought of some may sound atrocious, but give it a try and within days you'll be feeling healthier and happier than ever before!
- Handful of mixed nuts including Brazil nuts, Walnuts & Cashews with a small tin of tuna and a freshly squeezed fruit juice
- Scrambled eggs with spinach, chillis and mixed seeds (the heat in the chillies will boost the metabolism)
- Boiled eggs and brocolli alongside a small serving of probiotic yogurt topped with berries (try to avoid dairy where possible)
- Steak, nuts & half an avocado (low carb but high in good fats & protein)
- Oats made with water or hemp milk topped with organic, dairy free peanut butter and berries (hemp milk is high in protein and omegas 3 & 6)
- Fruit smoothie using 2 bananas, drop of rice milk, berries, nuts and flaxseed (high in sugar, but great for the extremely active)
- Spinach and tomatoe omelette sprinkled with flaxseed and topped with smoked salmon - if I'm feeling naughty, I add feta cheese to my omelette
- And for the weekend.... I grill mushrooms, tomatoes and bacon; scramble some eggs in the pan, bake an avocado, and whizz up a big fruit smoothie - and voilá, I have my healthier alternative to a fry up & milkshake! A perfect Sunday brunch :)
These above suggestions are open to interpretation. Get inventive, and enjoy your morning meal knowing it is giving you the 3 macro-nutrients you require. Food is meant to be enjoyed no matter how healthy it is.
