With the colder months creeping up, keeping full and fuelled for snow days and de-icing the car is important, as is not letting winter weight gain take us by surprise. Here are some hearty, healthy, and quick breakfast ideas to keep you going until lunch.
Zip lock omelettes
Take 3-4 egg whites, and a bunch of delicious veggies, (maybe even last night’s chicken) and throw them into a zip lock bag coated in a low-fat cooking spray. Mix the ingredients well, and then zip the bag up, pushing out most of the air. Throw your mixture into a pot of rolling, boiling hot water on the stove for 10-15 minutes and remove. Open up for a perfect omelette every time which is filling, low in fat, high in protein and will keep you fuller longer. This can be served with cottage cheese, whole grain bread, or even fruit.
Egg and bacon muffins
For those who don’t have time in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast, pre-preparation on the weekend is the answer. By creating 5-7 meals on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you’ve saved yourself the hassle of rushing in the morning, and the cash spent on a breakfast from the drive-thru. In a muffin tin, line each individual cup with a low-fat cooking spray, and then a cut out round piece of whole-grain toast to line each cup, making sure it’s big enough to come over the edges. Next, fry soy or turkey bacon on high heat until it is almost crisp, and lay one strip over each piece of toast in the muffin pan. Into each cup crack 1-2 egg whites. Salt and pepper to taste, then bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the eggs are cooked (usually 20 minutes). These morning muffins taste glorious and freeze in individual zip-lock bags very well, easy to defrost in a toaster oven or microwave while you get dressed.
Pre-packed oatmeal
Instead of buying sugar-loaded instant oatmeal packets, why not make your own? Taking small zip lock bags, fill each one with a portion of quick oats (usually 1/3 of a cup) and load up on protein rich, fibre filled fruits and nuts such as dried cranberries, walnuts, almonds, and raisins. In the morning, empty the baggy into 1 cup of water on the stove and let it simmer away, lowering the heat once it comes to a boil until a desired consistency is reached. If you’re really pressed for time, toss the cooked mixture into a Tupperware container and take it with you. Adding cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or even a sprinkle of brown sugar will add variety and make sure you don’t get bored if this turns into your every-day morning meal.
