Winter Warming Breakfast Ideas

Having warm foods for breakfast is a great way to begin your day in the long stretches of winter. Eating breakfast between 7-11 a.m. is ideal, as that timeframe is when your spleen and stomach energy are at peak functionality. It’s best to balance carbohydrate with protein in order to maintain blood sugar and energy levels. Too much carbohydrate and/or sugar will cause a rise in insulin and then a blood sugar drop will make you feel tired (and irritable!) after eating. Think about how you feel with a cold Danish or sugary muffin for breakfast as opposed to hearty eggs or oatmeal.

You’ll see I cook with a lot of oatmeal. It’s one of those foods that’s just good for you on many levels! Here are a few different breakfast options that should leave you feeling energized and ready to start the day:

1. Add oatmeal to your egg omelets – mix ¼ cup oatmeal (per 2 eggs) with your favorite mix-ins, like onions, mushrooms, spinach etc.
2. Hot oatmeal cooked with banana, cinnamon, vanilla and 1-2 Tbsp nut butter of choice
3. Make the most of your dinner leftovers – use sweet potatoes/yams/rice cooked with ginger or clove, warmed up with an egg or breakfast meat or leftover fish or chicken, if you prefer
4. Toasted whole grain bread with nut butter of choice or egg
5. Avocado toast with egg or leftover salmon flaked on top
6. Baked apple or pear topped with oatmeal and nut butter
7. Eggs with beans and rice – wrap in a whole wheat tortilla and make it a breakfast burrito!
8. Any grain made with extra water can be eaten like a morning cereal — rice, groats, quinoa — and then add your favorite spices and natural sweeteners, like dates, nuts or dried fruit. Add a protein of choice and you’ve made a wonderful nourishing breakfast.

If you’re too busy in the morning to cook, pre-set your crock pot so breakfast is ready when you are. Remember you can have breakfast foods for dinner and dinner foods for breakfast. There are no right or wrong ways to mix and match your favorite foods. Keep it simple and nourishing. You don’t need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to get nutritious and delicious food for you and your family. Experiment and have fun coming up healthy foods this winter!