Breakfast seems to be the meal people struggle with when moving over to a Paleo diet.
The word breakfast may be synonymous with cereal, toast, pancakes and many other refined carbs – but it really doesn't have to be. Breakfast is simply the first meal of the day the “break” the “fast” you've carried out since your last meal the previous day.
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A Paleo Breakfast?
I think the first step is to remove the association of breakfast with a specific type of meal. Breakfast does not equal cereal, swimming in skim milk. Think of breakfast on its nutritional merits; that is, base your first meal of the day around a good protein source and marry this with a good fat source and some vegetables. You may initially find the idea of having meat for breakfast odd, but it’s worth persevering with this, as good quality meat can be a great way to start the day.
If you don’t have much time in the mornings you need to be organised and prepare as much as you can the night before. I find it helps to plan all of my meals for the whole week in advance, at the weekend. I then buy the ingredients, so I have no excuses and everything I need on hand.A lot of people skip breakfast, which might be the right thing to do. If however your reason for skipping breakfast is that you can’t get out of bed in time to make breakfast – this indicates to me that you need breakfast!
Eggs For Breakfast?
Eggs are an obvious breakfast choice. They are quick, nutritious and very versatile. I often have bacon & eggs, scrambled eggs with avocado or an omelette, with whichever vegetables I have in the fridge. I always cook in coconut oil. Another favourite is making up a batch of egg muffins at the weekend. I make these up as I would an omelette, but pour them into muffin cases and cook in the oven. These last for a few days in the fridge and are perfect for busy days when there isn't enough time to make something from scratch.
I’ll also often cook extra chicken at the weekend which is great to base a breakfast around and doesn't need to be reheated, I think it’s great cold. Chicken and avocado is a great combination.
Leftovers are another great breakfast, once you've got used to the idea of having “untraditional” breakfasts. You can’t get much quicker and easier than that!
Occasionally at weekends I’ll make Paleo pancakes (using coconut or almond meal). This is great served with a berry sauce, made with fresh berries, blended in coconut milk. Noatmeal is another infrequent Paleo indulgence which is a great way to start the day.
Whilst strictly, I guess it is Paleo, I never have just fruit for breakfast. I always base my meal around protein and include fat. To have fruit (carbohydrate) as a meal on its own would be depriving myself of essential fats and proteins, would raise my blood sugar level and I’d very quickly be hungry.
What are your favourite Paleo breakfasts? I’d love to hear, in the comments below.
