Depending on your lifestyle, you may have 5 minutes to prep breakfast or an hour or two. The bottom line is what we put in our body dictates how we feel throughout the day and ultimately, what our future body will become. This easy healthy breakfast idea only has four, possibly five, ingredients and creates a whirlwind of health benefits. It can be enjoyed right on the spot or creates a quick prepping solution for a snack or breakfast meal!
As with everything I do, I want to know the reason, the influence behind the choices people make. I am a registered nurse, but I do not conduct my own research. Using a simple search engine and an extra couple of minutes, you can confirm the general health benefits of these ingredients!
Let’s get started!
1. Pick a base
Work with your current health status and pick a base that fits you. Oatmeal, yogurt, and açai are a great place to start! Each base has a different fat, carb, and protein content.
For me, I tend to migrate towards plain non-fat yogurt and brands with higher amounts of protein and the least amount of carbs. I believe in creating and maintaining a healthy gut and with yogurt, the probiotics will be your winner! If you are taking an antibiotic, eating yogurt is a natural way to enter the good bacteria back into your system. Nobody wants a yeast infection!
2. Choose a berry
You might be thinking, why berries? Berries have been known to possess antioxidant properties and most fruit contains Vitamin C to help boost your immune system! Similar to choosing a base, different berries have varying carb content. With a quick search, you’ll find blackberries have the lowest net carbs (more diabetic friendly).
I continue to choose blueberries for the flavor and availability in higher quantities at the grocery store. If you are on a budget and have decided to make healthier choices (congrats!) – assess the price for the quantity and quality of the berries at your grocery store!
~ Decide if you want to add another fruit
Hmmm… when thinking of an easy and healthy breakfast idea, should I add another fruit? Not always, but some mornings you may crave something a little sweeter!
In the summertime when it’s 90+ degrees outside, I pick up what I call a “specialty” fruit: a type of melon, mango, or pineapple.
Year-round, I will purchase a bag of organic apples or clementines. This is a great choice for someone on a budget, who can incorporate the same ingredients in various ways. Both are great on salads, eaten as an individual snack, or added to your healthy morning breakfast bowl!
3. Identify your nut
Nuts are a good source of healthy fats and have a higher content of protein than adding more fruit… which means they will keep you full, longer! Sounds to me like the perfect breakfast ingredient!
I chose walnuts for the flavor and also the quantity I was able to purchase. If you are on a budget, I found a 3 lb bag of walnuts at Costco for around fifteen dollars.
Same with apples and clementines, if you purchase a large amount of nuts, you can toss them on a salad or eat them as an individual snack. If you go hiking, this is also a great option for you!
4. Sprinkle your favorite seed
This is the final piece to the puzzle!
Why a seed? Chia seed, hemp seed, and flaxseed have been known to help raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. As I do not conduct my own research, search the health benefits of the different types of seeds and the general consensus will lead you to this conclusion!
Important note: when adding a small amount of any seed, you will not taste the flavor of the seed. Good news!
The finished product…
An easy and healthy breakfast idea with only four, or five, ingredients!
Want to add more?
This is your health journey! Experiment and see what else adds more flavor! Add coconut flakes, try flavored yogurt, top with honey… whatever your tastebuds desire!
Quick reminder: study the ingredients and know what you are putting in your body! Cheers!
