There’s no speedier morning routine than pouring milk over a bowl of cereal, but breakfast from a cardboard box is far from the most energizing choice. Luckily, you can shovel in a quick-and-easy breakfast while majorly upping the nutrition of your meal by opting for a breakfast bowl.
The key is to start with minimally-processed whole grains and seeds, which will keep you feeling fuller longer (no more mid-morning trip to the vending machine!) and might even help you live longer.
Oats may be the first thing that comes to mind, but consider the wide array of options that make a great base, including couscous, quinoa, flaxseed, and farro. You can easily tweak recipes by swapping in a variety of fruits, spices, and nuts to prevent boredom and take advantage of the seasonal harvest. This week, give these five energizing breakfast bowls a try — you’ll never reach for the box again!
1. Blueberry and Grilled Peach Quinoa Parfaits
If you like your breakfast sweet and simple, you’ll love this quinoa parfait from Cupcakes & Kale Chips. It’s loaded with protein thanks to quinoa and Greek yogurt (use plain to cut down on added sugars), while the blueberries and peaches provide plenty of vitamin C. The quinoa, along with the pecans, are good sources of essential minerals like magnesium and zinc.
2. Breakfast Bananas Foster with Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Dessert for breakfast? You won’t want to skip your morning meal when you’re indulging in this classic Southern favorite — made healthy with a few easy swaps. This recipe for breakfast bananas foster from the Spicy RD keeps the rich taste by trading ice cream and butter for plain Greek yogurt and coconut oil, plus uses ground flax meal to add a dose of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to the streusel topping. You’ll start your morning with a punch of potassium and vitamin C — and tons of rich, comforting flavor perfect for cool fall mornings!
3. Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro
You might be familiar with farro in salads, as a side dish, or as a veggie burger base, but it also works well as a breakfast grain. This quick maple cinnamon farro recipe from Kitchen Confidante is inspired by the popular oatmeal flavor and is just as effortless to stir up. The farro adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture that you don’t get with oats, and each half-cup servingoffers up to 4 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fiber. Top with fresh fruit for a dose of natural sweetness!
4. Morning Cottage Bowl
Cottage cheese isn’t just a great snack option, but an excellent protein-rich breakfast choice as well. The Fresh Beet’s cottage bowl is packed with fiber from wheat germ, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds. Pepitas, or shelled pumpkin seeds, add a crunchy dose of minerals, while fresh berries impart a light sweetness and essential antioxidants and vitamins.
5. Pecan Date Breakfast Couscous
Whole-wheat couscous is similar to barley in texture and becomes light and fluffy when cooked. Teaspoon of Spice’s pecan date couscous is flavored with orange zest and cinnamon, and served warm — perfect for chillier mornings. You’ll get the fiber and protein benefits without overdoing it on fat or sugar by opting for low-fat milk, and using dates instead of refined brown sugar.
5 Easy Breakfast Bowls That Are Healthier Than Cereal originally appeared on Everyday Health.
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