Posted on August 13, 2014 by Kate Halsall

Today I searched the Motive8 North site and you know what, we have blogged over 10 times about breakfast – about why it’s so important to eat it (http://www.m8north.co.uk/blog/breakfast-really-important/) and we’ve even provided some recipes to boot (http://www.m8north.co.uk/blog/low-gi-breakfasts/). Yet it still seems to be the toughest meal of the day to get your heads around. You either eat it or you don’t and in either case you still ask “what can I have” and still say “I don’t have time” to cook anything. Other than being a simple piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, a smoothie or a bowl of last night’s leftovers; Breakfast is still ingrained in us as being cereal or toast and some people really have a hard time thinking outside the box for more breakfast ideas other than 101 things to do with eggs. If you’re stuck in a healthy breakfast rut, it’s time to change your approach to breakfast.

The way I see it, people have breakfast for one of 4 reasons: 1) hunger 2) pre workout meal 3) it’s a family thing and they’ve always done it 4) because the motive8 team keep telling you too.

My advice on how to change your approach to breakfast starts with thinking of something which motivates you to have a lovely breakfast…..for example, think of what you are presented with on holiday! Traditionally on a breakfast buffet there will be a continental breakfast selection: so cold meats and cheeses, some vegetables and olives etc – so why not incorporate that at home: Breakfast Salad – why does the sound of a salad for breakfast freak people out? Maybe it’s because the term salad makes us think of lettuce leaves! But how about sliced avocado with fresh tomatoes, along with a sprinkling of pepper and salt and a handful of herbs. To add protein add mackerel or other fish, chicken or cheese and sliced lean meat or a handful of mixed seeds.

Alternatively, think about those cooked breakfasts either on your holiday buffet or your Sunday Full English. Ultimately this meal is comprised of meat (and usually the fatty kind), vegetables, pulses, and these days potatoes too. These ingredients lend themselves to Breakfast Fajitas or Burritos, Stir Fry, crustless quiches, or even a Sweet Potato Hash (just add meat if you need to!). All of which could be prepared the night before and eaten cold or rewarmed. If you’re making Fajitas or Burritos then instead of using bread wrap the mixture in a nice big iceberg lettuce leave for a no-bread option.

I also like to think that we have such a vast array of cultures in our live that we should look to those to provide inspiration. Some Japanese for example have Miso Soup – why not soup for breakfast? We see people having smoothies – soup is just a warmer version! There are dishes containing all varities of rice (including rice porridge), beans, meats, fish…there’s no limit to what you could have, it’s that we’re generally conditioned early on to ignore these other delicacies.

Healthy Breakfast Food for thought……..

Other Reading
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/15-breakfast-mistakes-cause-weight-gain/slide/1
http://designyoutrust.com/2011/10/50-of-the-world%E2%80%99s-best-breakfasts/
http://englishbreakfastsociety.com/full-english-breakfast.html