Dinner for breakfast? You betcha!
- As read in Silver and Gold Magazine's FALL 2018 issue. Read it HERE!
There’s nothing easier than breakfast for dinner: A couple of eggs, some peameal, and a piece of crispy toast. But what about dinner for breakfast? It’s time we ditched the meal labels and focus on the value of nutrition.
Breakfast is most definitely the most important meal of the day. It’s when you “break” the “fast” from a night of resting your digestive system. When you wake, it’s time to fuel your body to have enough energy to get through your day. Many nutritionists and naturopaths suggest having breakfast almost as soon as you wake up, to regulate your blood sugar levels and kick start your digestive system into full gear. This is why it’s important to get the day off to a good, healthy, fully nutritional start.
Unfortunately, many typical North American breakfasts aren’t the healthiest: Sugary cereals, gluten-filled breads, muffins similar to a slice of cake, are all high in carbohydrates and sugars, which can cause an immediate ‘high’ followed by a digestive ‘crash’. These types of breakfasts are the main culprit for the early-afternoon ‘blahs’ and feeling like you need a nap right after lunch.
Studies indicate that over 30% of North Americans have cold cereal for breakfast. Have you read the sugar content in most “single servings” of cereal? Yet many will not just consume a single serving (which is typically 3/4 cup of cereal) but more like three servings per sitting, or a normal bowl size. Eggs continue to be a great choice, and studies have shown it’s no longer a cholesterol-building concern as once thought. Everything in moderation!
Breakfast doesn’t have to be a large meal, especially if it’s full of nutrition. Eating shouldn’t leave you feeling full, just satisfied, and no longer hungry. After breaking the fast, your body will absorb every bit of nutrition like a sponge, so it’s important to fill it with goodness!
Here are some dinner for breakfast ideas:
Soup – Stay away from cream-based soups, as dairy is not the easiest to digest first-thing. Try whipping up an easy Miso vegetable soup and adding fresh onions, carrots, and bits of kale. Miso soup, popular in Japan, is fermented, which helps populate the digestive system with good bacteria (pre-biotics) that strengthen the immune system and help your body process the nutrients you will consume throughout the rest of the day. Leftover stew is another great breakfast idea, as is lentil soup. These two are packed with nutrients such as fibre, fat for proper brain function, and especially when made with home-made bone broth, they may even help with smoother joints and reduce inflammation
Fish – Often enjoyed in Scotland (Lox), the UK (Kippers), and popular with campers after a morning fishing trip, fish can load your body up with healthy omega fats, vitamin D for mood, calcium and magnesium absorption, protein, and it is the world’s best source of omega-3 fatty acids (great for body and brain function). If you’re not up to whipping up a quick fish broth and adding veggies, then why not try pan-frying a piece of mild fish with leftover rice?
Beans – Enjoyed throughout South America, Africa and the UK, leftover beans can be enjoyed next to a fresh scrambled egg, on their own on a piece of gluten-free crispy toast, or as small bowl of chili for breakfast – they always taste better the next day anyway! The best way to remove the gas-forming effects of beans is to soak them overnight, then boil and change the water twice to remove the ‘foam’ they produce. Nothing tastes quite like a fresh lentil or bean soup or even a fresh salad in the morning... and it’s certainly much healthier and comforting than cold cereal!
Hummus – Commonly enjoyed for breakfast in the Middle East, hummus is incredibly healthy: It’s rich in vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, iron, protein, fibre, and antioxidants. Imagine your body’s delight when it’s introduced to so much healthy nutrition first thing in the morning? Enjoy hummus on top of avocado with a twist of lime, or even on a piece of gluten-free toast instead of butter. And there’s nothing wrong with having some fresh veggies with hummus for breakfast either… you were going to have them at 11am anyway, so why not at 8am? •
did you know.... WHAT IS MISO?
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