How to boost your breakfast with plants
Struggling with energy and focus during the day? The answer might be as simple as boosting your breakfast with some plant protein!
Breakfast is one of those meals people either love or hate. Some enjoy the routine of preparing and eating it as a key part of starting the day. Others struggle with it - whether due to lack of time, not feeling hungry in the morning, or not being sure what to eat!
But a well-balanced breakfast can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. We all know protein is essential, as it plays a vital role in health and well-being. From repairing tissues to building muscle and bone, it's a powerhouse nutrient we rely on.
But what many people don't realize, is that protein also sets you up for the day - and having enough at breakfast helps regulate blood sugars, food cravings, concentration, energy and even mood.
Many commercial breakfast foods such as cereal or toast are high in refined grains and sugar, and lacking in protein and fibre. They give us a quick burst of energy, yet don't keep us full long - leading to fatigue, sugar cravings, and even weight gain, due to their impact on blood sugar levels.
This means changing up our breakfast by adding some healthy protein is one of the simplest things we can do to set ourselves up for the day. Choosing plant-based protein also feeds our good gut bugs, boosts our fibre and nutrient intake, cuts cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of many diseases, and even increases our life span - plus it's better for our planet!
Ideally, we want at least 20 -30g of protein in our breakfast, depending on age and activity levels.
So here are some favorite breakfasts, which all contain 20g of protein per serve 🥰
1) Protein-Packed Smoothie: whizz up a mix of soy milk, almonds, hemp seeds, banana and blueberries for a refreshing and nutritious start to your day! Protein powders are OK if you're short on time, but ideally, it's better to get protein from whole foods where you can.
2) Overnight Chocolate Chia Pudding: Blend up soy milk, nut butter, cocoa and dates, mix with chia seeds and let it sit overnight. In the morning you're set to go.
3) Nutty Granola Bowl: Combine oats, nuts, and seeds, then add soy milk and blueberries. Serve with plant-based yogurt for a scrumptious morning treat!
4) Tofu Scramble: Swap eggs for tofu and add rocket and tomatoes. Serve with seedy bread for a satisfying, protein-rich breakfast.
5) Avocado Toast with a Twist: Mash avocado on seeded toast and add a layer of hummus for an extra boost of protein and flavor. You can sprinkle hemp seeds on top for an added bonus.
Start your day with a nutritious plant-powered breakfast, and get ready to fuel up your body and mind - you'll notice the difference!