While the jury is still debating whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it’s safe to say that it is important. It’s the meal that sets you up to kick goals from the get go, no matter what’s on the agenda for the day. A lot of us are brekky fiends here at Dineamic HQ, and missing this critical meal can spell disaster. That’s exactly why we’re big fans of brekky options that can be (easily) made ahead of time and taken with us on the go if need be. Read on for some team faves and easy go-tos!
OUR BREKKY PREP GO-TOS
OVERNIGHT OATS & BIRCHER MUESLI
Yes, oats are amazing, and can be prepped in so many different ways, but our favourites are overnight oats and bircher muesli. These are perfect to make ahead of time, and then keep in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them, or to grab them & run out the door.
What makes them so great is not only the nutritional side, but also that they are easy to prep and have a range of options for how you top them and flavour them. Think fresh fruit, rich cacao, protein-packed yoghurt, and nutritious nuts just to name a few.
There are so many recipes out there for overnight oats, and you really can find just about any flavour possible out there, but a team favourite is these Brownie Batter overnight oats, that are basically a healthy breakfast chocolate mousse (well, that’s how we think of them anyway).
Bircher is very much in the same boat, there are loads of recipes out there. Be warned though, as some recipes do require the addition of a lot of sugar thanks to the juice used for soaking the oats and this can add a fair bit of sugar depending on the quantity.
When looking for a recipe, ensure that is uses natural ingredients, does not require too much sugar, and we love using recipes that contain some yoghurt for protein and the gut-loving goodies that they contain.
YOGHURT & MUESLI
A brilliant easy option with minimal prep, maximum flavour. A few spoons of yoghurt or a small tub, topped with a serve of healthy muesli and you have a brekky ready to go. If you want to get creative, try adding some seasonal fruit like sliced banana, berries or sliced stone fruit.
Yoghurt is nutrient-rich, high in protein, and can be beneficial for your gut thanks to the probiotics found in many varieties.
Muesli can be nutrient packed as well, but not all mueslis are equal – look for options with ingredients like oats, nuts and seeds, and that are not too high in sugar or contain additives such as artificial or fillers. Check out Sydney dietitian Chloe McLeod’s guide on what to look for in a muesli, here.
SMOOTHIES
The ultimate prep-ahead brekky.
Grab your zip lock bags and prep individual serves of your smoothie ingredients, and throw them in the freezer. Then in the morning, put the contents of one into the blender, add your chosen liquid (milk, almond milk, coconut water, the possibilities are endless), then blend until smooth. Done.
One of the best things about smoothies is that you can add all sorts of ingredients including fruit, veggies (spinach, kale etc), oats, nut butter and even spices to create a little nutrition powerhouse brekky. They are a great way to work on your 2 and 5, and an easy way to sneak more veggies into your diet.
BREAKFAST COOKIES OR MUFFINS
Who knew right?! Often when you think of cookies or muffins it’s the kind that is a sweet treat and not necessarily what you reach for when you’re looking for a healthy or balanced brekky option. However, there are some brilliant recipes that are just that & taste great.
Many of these include nuts, grains and seeds, fruit and even veggies depending on the recipe. Try searching for things like “Morning Glory Muffins” that include ingredients like carrot, nuts and banana, or “Healthy Breakfast Cookies”.
There are two main things that we love besides the potential nutritional value – how portable they are, and the fact that they are perfect for prepping on a Sunday and having a week’s worth of brekkies ready to go.
We hope that these have given you some ideas on how to reinvigorate the classics and try some new options to up your game at brekky. If you have other ideas and suggestions, tell us in the comments below! We love having our community share their take on health, nutrition and everyday inspo.
