Calorie Count
rss subscribe Subscribe expand Expand Browser
Calorie Count Blog

A Great Start


By jannid on Feb 10, 2012 10:00 AM in Recipes

I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.” – Merry (who knew that no day was complete without First and Second Breakfast)

For many of us, a work day breakfast is a rush around fix it fast meal that succeeds only if the pantry and fridge are well stocked. It helps me to have a basic series of go-to ideas that can be changed a little each day to keep the breakfast interesting. Excellent tweaks may be nothing more than adding almond butter and a pinch of brown sugar to my oatmeal instead of the usual dried fruit and honey. A leisurely weekend morning spent deciding what to make for breakfast is, by contrast, a thing of joy. When else can you take the time to serve up a couple over easy eggs nestled atop a humongous bed of sauteed turmeric seasoned spinach and caramelized onions, with a side of toasted whole wheat English muffin topped with… ok, now I’m hungry. 

In an effort to lower calories and lose weight, some will dramatically reduce breakfast calories or skip the meal entirely. According to the Mayo Clinic researchers, neither is a good idea because a healthy breakfast is your ally in controlling weight. Yes, eating well chosen healthy calories is good for weight control. The article explains why quite well, so give it a read.

I find eating the same thing every day convenient, but rather boring. Just how much toast, cereal, and egg whites can one person consume without driving your taste buds a bit batty? Ok, some of you quite like knowing what you will eat every single morning. My husband is like that and resists all change. The rest of us need to develop a varied repertoire of simple possibilities to keep this work day meal fun, fast, enjoyable, and on target for calories. One favorite breakfast tweak lets me enjoy my favorite steel cut oats, usually a weekend treat, on a work morning. Simply mix the oats and liquid in a container, place it in the fridge the night before, and enjoy fast cooking steel cut oats in the morning. It also helps to find a few new recipes for those lovely cookery days. Enjoy.

Crazypotato98’s Nopales Con Huevo Y Salchicha Polaka is a fantastic use of a vegetable that may be quite new to you - cactus.

Make Meganr’s Breakfast Thingies on the weekend, then warm one up in the microwave for an "instant" breakfast that is so much better for you than that highly sugared baked good at the coffee shop.

If you give a calorie counter a muffin, it should be Laura’s Blueberry Banana Muffin. Make them fresh on the weekend or make the night before and warm them in the microwave for breakfast.

This Egg Veggie Mountain is a wonderful healthy weekend breakfast, packed with enough spinach to make Popeye happy.

How about a quick and easy Breakfast Burrito? This excellent idea came from Calorie Count’s recipe search bar. 

Try Vegetarian Times Tofu Ranchero, for a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Vegetarian Times and the awesome nutrition of their Mojito Fruit and Yogurt Plate boosts your brain power and stays with you all morning.

Your thoughts…

What is your favorite fast to fix breakfast? What is your favorite no rush breakfast? How did you tweak your breakfasts to meet your caloric goals? Do you like your breakfast savory or sweet? Do you eat like a Hobbit and split your breakfast into two meals? Share your favorite rib sticking calorie counting breakfast! If you want your recipe to be considered for the CC Palate, pm it to me here.



Comments


Since chocolate is banned for me (except on special occasions) I've started adding a tablespoon of cocoa to my oatmeal to get my chocolate fix so I don't deprive myself of it.
So I guess my favourite quick breakfast is chocolate oatmeal cooked with chopped strawberries.



I find that skipping breakfast and drinking fluids in the morning is a cleansing activity. For people who don't do physical labor as work - it might not be necessary to have a meal to start the day.  For me at least... I find holding off on food until I'm actually getting very hungry is a good way of staying in touch with my body's needs instead of just eating because it's "time" to eat.

http://www.diet-blog.com/08/a_different_take_on_the_breakfas t_debate.php 



That's easy my favorite and easiest breakfast is a chocolate Shakeology smoothie.  It takes less than 5 minutes to blend chocolate Shakeology, ice, skim milk, and a banana into a super healthy chocolate smoothie that you can take on the go.  It has helped me for a year now!



Favorite fast breakfast--oatmeal. I buy it in bulk (MUCH cheaper than the packaged stull - up to $2 per pound cheaper. I get the thick oats - they make a more substantial and not sticky breakfast. Nuke 1 C water, 1/4 oats for 4 minutes 20 seconds. (You have to use an 8 C measure because it expands a lot in the microwave.) I usually add chopped up apple (peel on) and a bit of cinnamon. On Sundays I treat myself and add dried cherries and chopped almond. This is filling enough to hold me until lunch.



I'm partial to a large breakfast-- I'll make myself oatmeal with brown sugar and maple syrup, a bowl of Kashi's go lean cereal, a scrambled egg, and cut fruit that I have in the fridge at all times (because it makes a better snack than potato chips!)

And, on the weekends, I give myself time to make toast with peanut butter.  Yum!



cocco is very good for you



My most favorite breakfast is blueberry pancakes with Karo Syrup...made by my mama.  Unfortunately...they won't help on this trek to a leaner fitter me.  So, unless it's Christmas morning, breakfast consists of 2 egg whites and a whole egg scrambled and two slices of Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel bread.   Sometimes I switch out the bread for some yummy Cream of Wheat.

Breakfast is my favorite meal!



Love my breakfast sweet ...

My fav no rush breakfast would have to be slow cooked oat porridge. Used to finish it off with a dash cream and whisky and some honey but now i've done away with the whisky and only spoil myself ones a while, i've cut out the cream and use low fat soy milk, i did away with the honey instead i top up with dried fruits e.g raisins and i always add a tbsp of smooth peanut butter - makes it creamy.

I do split my breakfast into two, i have the one half 1.5 hours before training and the other half 30 mins after training with a protein shake. Then am good to start the day.



When I first started reading this I was like wow, other people split their breakfast into two parts too, but then after reading a little further it was about something else.

My typical breakfasts are fairly similar with minor tweaks. I split my breakfasts into two parts (before and after working out) Before I exercise I have coffee with fat free half and half and some kind of fruit. I will either have a bowl of berries (1 cup sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, & 1/2 cup blackberries), or a banana, or apple. About 15 minutes after I eat this I stretch out then I do about 30 minutes of cardio, aerobics or strength training. A few minutes after I cool down from my work out, I eat some kind of carb and protein. This could be a peice of whole wheat toast with an egg (scrambles or fried) or the toast with a couple pieces of turkey sausage. Another alternative is toast with peanut or almond butter, this almost feels like a treat for me. 

These breakfasts combined always come to around 350 calories. I find that having something light before my workout gives me the energy I need for it without feeling weighed down. Then having the carbs and protein afterwards helps to replenish my energy and keeps me full until it is lunch time. Eating some protein after you work out is also supposed to be beneficial in building and repairing muscle tissue.

On the weekends I don't work out in the morning, so I usually don't split the meal but I still eat the same kind kind of combinations.



For me, cooking and eating breakfast is more important than putting on my makeup! But I usually have time for both;)

I have several foods that I cycle through, always eating egg whites and yogurt with some kind of whole grain, and never getting tired of my little selection. In fact, I usually look most forward to breakfast than any other meal!



I cook 4 servings  of steel cut oats the night before, and then in the morning I put 1 cup of them in the microwave.  I like to add 1 cup frozen blueberries that I have thawed in the microwave.  I use 1 tsp. of agave on the blueberries, and 1 Splenda on the oats because I like the sweeter taste.  Very tasty.

When I cook the oats (1 cup oats to 4 cups water)  I add cinnamon to the water.  You bring them to boil, stir 1 minute, cover them and let them sit overnight.  Next morning refridgerate what you don't use.



I make my steel cut oats in larger amounts, and shortly before it is done, I mix in blueberries or chopped apples, cinnamon or nutmeg, raisins or cranberries, then sweeten with splenda and also some maple sugar (a little goes a long way to give flavor). Then I freeze it in individual portions. I try to remember to take it out the night before (usually I do because I am looking forward to it). Then add a little soy or almond milk and reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. I am impressed as to how well it freezes.

 

 



I enjoy baked oatmeal.
Mix 2 eggs, little bit of salt, 1 tea sp., water, ½ cup oatmeal. Let it soak in. Meanwhile cut apple, take out core, cut in slices. Bake apples on the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon. Put apples on plate. Clean the pan. Pour oil, clean excess of with towel. Pour in the oatmeal mix and fry as pancake/ or small pancakes. Put next to apples. I usually add 1 tea spoon of honey or some strawberry yogurt. Yamm!

 



Two breakfasts, both easy, one light, one super light.

Garden Egg White omelet. Filling: take 1.5 tbsp diced red onion, 1.5 tbsp diced celery, 1.5 tbsp bell pepper (red looks best) and saute until almost soft in Pam. Then add in 2.5 tbsp diced fresh tomato with dashes of salt, pepper, oregano, thyme and sage. Only cook until tomato is warm, not mushy. Pour 1/2 cup of egg whites into your omelet pan again with Pam only, no oil. When the whites are almost set pour in the veggie mix and 1 tbsp shredded or grated Parmesan or Parmesan/Romano cheese. Fold or roll and serve when cheese melts. Approx. 100 calories.

Huevos Rancheros Light Heat 1.5 tbsp of fat free refried beans and 1.5 tbsp of a high quality salsa that doesn't have added sugar (I prefer a green salsa with tomatillo) in the microwave. In your egg pan pour a 1/4 cup of Eggbeaters (c) and cook until it starts to set. Flip the egg and place 1 slice of low-fat pre-sliced provolone cheese (or your favorite appropriate sliced such as Weight Watchers Pepper Jack) on top. Cover with the salsa and while the cheese is melting spread the hot frijoles on the plate. Top with the egg combo. (This recipe obviously omits the tortilla which adds a lot of calories but surprisingly, you won't miss it. Estimated 160 calories. If you use a real egg the calorie count goes up to 200. 



That sounds AMAZING!! I will be trying that one :)



i love breakfast as its  my first meal of  the day. i never eat breakfast before working out  on my stationary  bike.  i  workout after  4.30 am  nd  before  6.30ami like to cycle 3 to 6x per wk depending how i feel morning. i do over  60min  per  session.after about 70min  ihave breakfast. i dont work but im a early  bird  when it  comes to  breakfast.  luch never late always after 1pm  and  before 2pm.  supper after 8pm before  9pm.  my favorite supper  is a large salad with variety veggies  max  50gr lean protein and french mustard



I'm trying to lose weight and my boyfriend has to watch his cholesterol, but we both love breakfast.  I'm with my Shakeology friend above, but I use that for my exercise recovery, then I make a second breakfast for my boyfriend and I.

We cook our veggies at night in large quantities and refrigerate.  This week has been zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, bell peppers, and eggplant.  I cook using garlic, EVOO, and fresh pepper.  I also add a little cayenne.  (We also added tomatoes and/or spinach, but I keep spiking my Vitamin A too high).  My 12 year old loves this breakfast also.

In the morning, we reheat the veggies, add Eggbeaters (1/4 cup per person), flip egg and veggies (it doesn't have to be pretty), add a slice of light cheese (usually provolone).  We put this on a whole grain tortilla (100 calories and 20-25% of your daily fiber).  Sometimes we add a teaspoon of jalepeno greek yougurt dip.  Wrap it up and you have breakfast to go.  We have the total time down to 5 minutes. The calorie count may seem high, but it's only about 250 calories for the eggs, veggies, cheese and wrap.



Ok, I'm one of the 'boring people'... I eat pretty much the same thing every day during the week.  One portion of bran flakes, milk (2 %... I HATE the taste of skimmed) and a banana sliced.  Coffee and juice. We eat our main meal at lunch time before hubs goes to work so I tend to keep brekkie light through the week. If it's cold... I fix oatmeal  (half milk/half water) added chopped fruit and less than a teaspoon of brown sugar(I'm not a fan of sweet breakfast) Weekends... we have a cooked breakfast usually of whole wheat/whole grain bread toasted with poached eggs and  a fruit salad. Breakfast is THE most important meal to me.  It keeps me running till lunch time and lately I have found that I am keeping 1/3 to one half of my lunch for my evening meal. The poached eggs fill me for most of the day. 



Dr. Oz made a good cause to change our eating habits, putting the 'bulk' of our daily calorie intake in the forenoon,ie a lager breakfast, a  medium lunch and smaller evening meal.  not excluding small snack breaks.  this does take some adjustment to social norms,  care to join me to celebrate your birthday breakfast?    i looked at my 2200 c  daily intake,  breakfast  900 c  am. break 150c lunch 600c, pm. break 150c,  dinner/evening meal 400 c.  I would also look at changing the so called times, ie   it would require me get up earlier to prepare the larger breakfast,or prepare it in advance the night before,afternoon meal later 1:30/2:30 and the evening meal 7/7;30  lets see if i can work with the rest of the world,  I don't mean to restructure the restaurant or fast food industry,  but it did ring a cord in my heath/fitness strategy.   I would appreciate other comments on this. Bon appetite ! murrayhf  



I like to make 1/2 cup of egg beaters with a tablespoon of goat cheese into an omelet or stuff the egg beaters omelet with cottage cheese and then put some jam on top. It's very filling and delicious



I love all the oatmeal breakfasts, a favorite with me.  One favorite I don't see here is my poached egg breakfast.  Two pieces of  ww toast, one plain on plate.  Chop onions, mushrooms and peppers and put in small microwave bowl and nuke on high for two or three minutes with a dash of spices and olive oil.  Break one egg white and one egg into a small pan  of boiling water. poach eggs until done, slip with slotted spoon on toast that you have put the chopped veggies on and top with parm cheese.  Any left over veggies also work with this one, and makes a filling breakfast.



Every day I eat the same thing for breakfast.  I get up 15 minutes early to prepare and enjoy an diced apple, a diced orange, maybe some grapes, 1/2 cup bran flakes, and yogurt all mixed up together.  Add a soft boiled egg served in a pretty little egg cup and I'm in heaven.  400 calories.



Original Post by: rtimberlake

My most favorite breakfast is blueberry pancakes with Karo Syrup...made by my mama.  Unfortunately...they won't help on this trek to a leaner fitter me.  So, unless it's Christmas morning, breakfast consists of 2 egg whites and a whole egg scrambled and two slices of Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel bread.   Sometimes I switch out the bread for some yummy Cream of Wheat.

Breakfast is my favorite meal!


Yummy!


I've found the best way to ensure I'm getting a healthy well rounded breakfast on the go is to have a smoothie. I prepare a week's worth all at once and it includes fruits, veggies, flax meal, yogurt, and fruit juice. If you're interested check out my recipes link. On the weekends when I take the time I let myself splurge and eat a poached egg on wheat toast with turkey bacon- delicious and worth the cholesterol (in moderation of course)



After my coffee, I have piece of whole wheat toast with some peanut butter, a Morningstar veggie patty, and about 10 ounce of skim milk.  Give me the protein I need to get going.  About 1/2 hour to an hour later I have a piece of fruit--usually a banana, orange, or a cup of berries.



Post Your Comment

Join Calorie Count - it's easy and free!
CREATE FREE ACCOUNT
Advertisement
Advertisement