Please help me figure out how to eat breakfast everyday
August 9, 2022 4:34 PM Subscribe
I hate breakfast and didn't grow up with it, but it's ruining my life that I don't have a regular breakfast eating habit. Help me out with helping form one?
Thank you all for helping support me dealing with scabies. Now onto my next health issue to address:
I just finished meeting with a registered dietician because I have several issues from not eating breakfast in the morning. It's gotten to the point where my hunger cues are so out of whack that I end up falling asleep from low blood sugar and hunger. I neglect myself because of work and stress, but I don't have the energy to work if I can't eat breakfast regularly.
However, I've never enjoyed breakfast and never really been a big breakfast person, and growing up, my family also didn't really eat breakfast either. When I think about breakfast, I honestly really hate the idea and resent having to eat it because I kinda just wish I didn't have to deal with food at all, but I really love making food and get dopamine hits from making delicious food (very ADHD here.)
The times I have eaten breakfast, it has been through cereal bars, eaten on the way to work or school. I am a foodie and love preparing food for lunch and dinner and friends, but I find it hard to figure out what to make myself for breakfast.
For example, the idea of making an American style breakfast (fried eggs, sausage, hash browns) is too rich and is very unappetizing. I am trying steelcut oatmeal in my rice cooker, but I find it rather confusing to eat texturally. (I'm Asian but don't really like congee unless it's like 50% thousand year old egg.) The most successful breakfast I've had this week was eating leftover deli chicken wings. I do love lunchables, and enjoy eating deli meat, Trader Joe's pre-sliced cheese squares, and golden round crackers when I have no appetite. I prefer protein-heavy foods to carbs, because carbs always make me hungry really quickly. I don't eat croissants or breakfast pastries, find breakfast burritos kind of strangely intolerable and overall prefer Asian food.
Basically, I'm uncertain about what to do. I have an unused Nutribullet, I do like avocados but can never really finish a bread loaf, and overall I'm exhausted and stressed from dealing with multiple chronic illnesses. But I do want to make eating breakfast an enjoyable activity and ritual for me, and something I can look forward to waking up to, but it's hard to imagine when I have such a history of being averse to it. But one step at a time -- I just need to start eating breakfast too!
I welcome recipes and anecdotes, and any suggestions. I'm meeting with my dietitian at the end of next week, so anything I can implement starting this week would be great.
Other notes about my eating habits: My dietitian says that I have a shrunken stomach from not regularly eating, so it's difficult for me to eat enough all at one time currently for me to feel comfortable and not have blood sugar spikes. I was formerly pre-diabetic, but my current a1c levels are totally fine. I also am meeting with a new therapist who has an emphasis in eating disorders, so if there are any relevant questions that you can suggest I can bring up to her that would help me with this, I also would appreciate that, thanks!
Thank you all for helping support me dealing with scabies. Now onto my next health issue to address:
I just finished meeting with a registered dietician because I have several issues from not eating breakfast in the morning. It's gotten to the point where my hunger cues are so out of whack that I end up falling asleep from low blood sugar and hunger. I neglect myself because of work and stress, but I don't have the energy to work if I can't eat breakfast regularly.
However, I've never enjoyed breakfast and never really been a big breakfast person, and growing up, my family also didn't really eat breakfast either. When I think about breakfast, I honestly really hate the idea and resent having to eat it because I kinda just wish I didn't have to deal with food at all, but I really love making food and get dopamine hits from making delicious food (very ADHD here.)
The times I have eaten breakfast, it has been through cereal bars, eaten on the way to work or school. I am a foodie and love preparing food for lunch and dinner and friends, but I find it hard to figure out what to make myself for breakfast.
For example, the idea of making an American style breakfast (fried eggs, sausage, hash browns) is too rich and is very unappetizing. I am trying steelcut oatmeal in my rice cooker, but I find it rather confusing to eat texturally. (I'm Asian but don't really like congee unless it's like 50% thousand year old egg.) The most successful breakfast I've had this week was eating leftover deli chicken wings. I do love lunchables, and enjoy eating deli meat, Trader Joe's pre-sliced cheese squares, and golden round crackers when I have no appetite. I prefer protein-heavy foods to carbs, because carbs always make me hungry really quickly. I don't eat croissants or breakfast pastries, find breakfast burritos kind of strangely intolerable and overall prefer Asian food.
Basically, I'm uncertain about what to do. I have an unused Nutribullet, I do like avocados but can never really finish a bread loaf, and overall I'm exhausted and stressed from dealing with multiple chronic illnesses. But I do want to make eating breakfast an enjoyable activity and ritual for me, and something I can look forward to waking up to, but it's hard to imagine when I have such a history of being averse to it. But one step at a time -- I just need to start eating breakfast too!
I welcome recipes and anecdotes, and any suggestions. I'm meeting with my dietitian at the end of next week, so anything I can implement starting this week would be great.
Other notes about my eating habits: My dietitian says that I have a shrunken stomach from not regularly eating, so it's difficult for me to eat enough all at one time currently for me to feel comfortable and not have blood sugar spikes. I was formerly pre-diabetic, but my current a1c levels are totally fine. I also am meeting with a new therapist who has an emphasis in eating disorders, so if there are any relevant questions that you can suggest I can bring up to her that would help me with this, I also would appreciate that, thanks!
You don't need to eat typical breakfast foods at breakfast time- although I happen to love breakfast food, I also like eating leftovers from the night before. Why not eat cheese and deli meat if you like that?
posted by pinochiette at 4:42 PM on August 9, 2022 [36 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 4:42 PM on August 9, 2022 [36 favorites]
How do you feel about eating leftovers for breakfast? If you prefer the food you make for lunch/dinner, there’s no reason not to eat that! Or if you’d like to eat something fresh, maybe there’s a super quick meal (the kind you’d usually make for lunch) you could prep the day before and cook in the morning.
Also, meat, cheese, and crackers sounds like a great breakfast to me! Add some fruit and/or vegetables if you want to make it a little more balanced, but you don’t need to.
How appealing do smoothies sound? If there’s somewhere convenient that sells them, you could give it a try just to see, though what you make at home will probably be better. Or you could eat the easy version of a smoothie - yogurt with fruit on it, maybe add some nuts.
posted by maleficent at 4:48 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Also, meat, cheese, and crackers sounds like a great breakfast to me! Add some fruit and/or vegetables if you want to make it a little more balanced, but you don’t need to.
How appealing do smoothies sound? If there’s somewhere convenient that sells them, you could give it a try just to see, though what you make at home will probably be better. Or you could eat the easy version of a smoothie - yogurt with fruit on it, maybe add some nuts.
posted by maleficent at 4:48 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
You can unshrink your stomach! You just have to work up to it.
What I'm not hearing about in your diet is much fiber. Are you getting enough fiber? Fiber is good for unshrinking your stomach because it is bulky. Beans and greens are good sources of fiber.
Also you can eat any food you like at any time of day.
posted by aniola at 4:48 PM on August 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
What I'm not hearing about in your diet is much fiber. Are you getting enough fiber? Fiber is good for unshrinking your stomach because it is bulky. Beans and greens are good sources of fiber.
Also you can eat any food you like at any time of day.
posted by aniola at 4:48 PM on August 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I do love lunchables, and enjoy eating deli meat, Trader Joe's pre-sliced cheese squares, and golden round crackers
This is pretty much a German breakfast. A true German breakfast would probably have a roll instead of crackers, and maybe throw in a yogurt or some jam, but yeah. Let me tell you how great it was to find out people eat deli meat and cheese for breakfast as A Thing.
posted by kevinbelt at 4:49 PM on August 9, 2022 [24 favorites]
This is pretty much a German breakfast. A true German breakfast would probably have a roll instead of crackers, and maybe throw in a yogurt or some jam, but yeah. Let me tell you how great it was to find out people eat deli meat and cheese for breakfast as A Thing.
posted by kevinbelt at 4:49 PM on August 9, 2022 [24 favorites]
I also hate breakfast and suffer some of the same energy problems from failing to eat enough in the morning. My current solution (going on three years) is: brown rice (cooked in a rice cooker overnight), a hard boiled egg, nori, oil olive, and soy sauce - it’s plain but also satisfying, and doesn’t gross me out first thing the way a lot of breakfast foods do.
posted by suviko at 4:51 PM on August 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by suviko at 4:51 PM on August 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
I have looked at the amount of food a dietician said was normal before and been like wtf that seems impossible. After literally going to a dietician to find out what's normal. My dietician didn't warn me about shrunken stomachs and having to work up to it. But when I painstakingly did the math myself, you really do have to eat a LOT of food.
I had been using fats, proteins, and water to compensate for the lack of fiber in my diet. But when I started eating enough fiber in addition to all the other macronutrients, I was less hungry. More chewing, though!
posted by aniola at 4:53 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I had been using fats, proteins, and water to compensate for the lack of fiber in my diet. But when I started eating enough fiber in addition to all the other macronutrients, I was less hungry. More chewing, though!
posted by aniola at 4:53 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Three thoughts:
1) If you like making lunch and dinner, make extra and eat leftovers for breakfast.
2) You can put bread in the freezer. I immediately put half a loaf in the freezer when I get home from grocery shopping.
3) Trader Joe's breakfast burritos are nasty. They are an insult to the breakfast burrito tradition.
If you're not a morning person, there's no point in trying to force breakfast into being a big thing. I love a full English or American style breakfast, but can't eat any of that before 11. Most of the time I eat an English muffin with a protein on top, or rice with a protein on top, but not much because it's morning and all I want is coffee anyway.
posted by betweenthebars at 4:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
1) If you like making lunch and dinner, make extra and eat leftovers for breakfast.
2) You can put bread in the freezer. I immediately put half a loaf in the freezer when I get home from grocery shopping.
3) Trader Joe's breakfast burritos are nasty. They are an insult to the breakfast burrito tradition.
If you're not a morning person, there's no point in trying to force breakfast into being a big thing. I love a full English or American style breakfast, but can't eat any of that before 11. Most of the time I eat an English muffin with a protein on top, or rice with a protein on top, but not much because it's morning and all I want is coffee anyway.
posted by betweenthebars at 4:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
An example of what I'm talking about with getting more fiber: oatmeal was never enough for me. Not even when I added nuts and seeds and fruits.
I could eat literally the quality and quantity of oatmeal as three other people, and I'd be full an hour later and they'd be like "shrug I'm fine."
But when I ALSO added cabbage, then it was enough to keep me full.
posted by aniola at 4:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I could eat literally the quality and quantity of oatmeal as three other people, and I'd be full an hour later and they'd be like "shrug I'm fine."
But when I ALSO added cabbage, then it was enough to keep me full.
posted by aniola at 4:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I like yogurt (skyr, to be exact.) No cooking, no thinking, tons of protein, many kinds are low in sugar even with fruit.
I freeze sliced bread (the Ezekiel sprouted grain kind) so I can have toast whenever without worrying about fresh bread. I have it with either tahini, avocado and everything bagel seasoning, or butter and marmite.
posted by kapers at 4:59 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I freeze sliced bread (the Ezekiel sprouted grain kind) so I can have toast whenever without worrying about fresh bread. I have it with either tahini, avocado and everything bagel seasoning, or butter and marmite.
posted by kapers at 4:59 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I also don't like most American breakfast foods, besides eggs. But yes, you can eat literally anything and call it breakfast. I often eat leftovers for breakfast, or I make them more breakfast-y by turning them into an omelette - leftover stir-fried tofu and vegetables? Leftover spaghetti and meatballs? All can be tomorrow's omelette. I also think Trader Joe's 'Asian' dumplings make for a nice breakfast.
Peanut butter toast is a good quick filling way to get food in you, without much eating. If you can't finish a loaf of bread, you can freeze a loaf of sliced bread and defrost a slice (or two) each morning in your toaster.
posted by coffeecat at 5:00 PM on August 9, 2022
Peanut butter toast is a good quick filling way to get food in you, without much eating. If you can't finish a loaf of bread, you can freeze a loaf of sliced bread and defrost a slice (or two) each morning in your toaster.
posted by coffeecat at 5:00 PM on August 9, 2022
Tamago kake gohan may be a good option. There're enough steps involved to satisfy your desire for a morning ritual, but since it's so simple and can be made with leftover rice you don't have to spend much time and energy on it. And there's plenty of protein!
posted by theory at 5:05 PM on August 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by theory at 5:05 PM on August 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I enjoy savory breakfast and have been enjoying Trader Joe’s frozen scallion pancakes fried up with scrambled egg seasoned with a dash of chili crisp, white pepper, and oyster sauce. I cook up the pancake in a frying pan and when it’s crispy, I move it aside and scramble the eggs. I pile the eggs into the pancake and fold the pancake in half and eat. With a paper towel, it becomes portable.
ETA: I also love breakfast soup, especially in colder months. Cook up a big batch of hearty soup and then divide into mason jars that can live in the fridge until you’re ready to warm them in the microwave. Also is relatively portable because of the jar.
posted by quince at 5:05 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
ETA: I also love breakfast soup, especially in colder months. Cook up a big batch of hearty soup and then divide into mason jars that can live in the fridge until you’re ready to warm them in the microwave. Also is relatively portable because of the jar.
posted by quince at 5:05 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
My breakfast almost everyday is a Premire Protein Shake. Lots of flavors. Fairly good tasing. My favorite is to combine either a chocolate or vanilla one with coffee. I find them too sweet otherwise.
That said, I've been known to eat leftover pizza or Chinese takeout for breakfast. I also love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I live alone so I keep my bread in the freezer and pop two slices in the toaster when I'm ready to eat. The browner the bananas are, the better.
posted by kathrynm at 5:19 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
That said, I've been known to eat leftover pizza or Chinese takeout for breakfast. I also love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I live alone so I keep my bread in the freezer and pop two slices in the toaster when I'm ready to eat. The browner the bananas are, the better.
posted by kathrynm at 5:19 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
High-protein Greek yogurt with granola and a banana or some other fruit sliced into it? If you want to control the sweetness level yourself, you can get the plain kind and add honey to taste. Or heck, no sweetener at all. This could be an enjoyable breakfast routine to experiment with by changing up the fruit or kind of granola, adding honey and cinnamon when you're feeling especially decadent, etc. You could also eat it with a handful of nuts.
posted by yasaman at 5:22 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by yasaman at 5:22 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
We'll do a fried rice (brown rice if we want a fig leaf of healthfulness) with an egg on top since I have feelings about breakfast foods for breakfast. You can make it as protein-y or veggie-ful as you want, or even try it with riced cauliflower is you want fewer carbs. I've done that for my MIL. Not the same, but not bad. Also great for using random leftovers.
posted by DebetEsse at 5:27 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by DebetEsse at 5:27 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I’ve eaten the same breakfast every day for years: PB&J on whole grain bread and black coffee. It’s low-effort but satisfying.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:37 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:37 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
My two favorite breakfasts are leftover homemade enchiladas and leftover homemade vindaloo.
posted by metonym at 5:37 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by metonym at 5:37 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
This won't address your preference for Asian food, but I eat a slice of peanut butter toast (whole wheat bread) (and coffee) every morning. I don't mind the repetition, because I love not having to think.
At one point, I was eating a hard-boiled egg along with the peanut butter toast (for protein) and I batch cooked those once a week. I agree that frozen bread works fine for the toast. Boring, but mindless is my zone.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 5:44 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
At one point, I was eating a hard-boiled egg along with the peanut butter toast (for protein) and I batch cooked those once a week. I agree that frozen bread works fine for the toast. Boring, but mindless is my zone.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 5:44 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Being a child of the 70s, we had breakfast cookies, goody balls, but do not use the carob although we did, and morning glory bread.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:45 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by warriorqueen at 5:45 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I find it helpful to have some protein early in the day. I love to put scrambled eggs, salsa and fresh greens in a warm corn tortilla. or scrambled eggs, kimchi and rice. Scrambled egg wraps with rice, beans, sausage, sweet potatoes, salsa, and maybe leftover vegetables. I often make bran muffins with pumpkin, apricots and walnuts, and add an extra egg; when I drove to work, this was an easy breakfast. A baked sweet or white potato with butter is easy if you put it in the microwave while you get ready. You can add toppings, but you don't have to.
I'm not a morning person and eggs are easy and cheap protein. Breakfast can be any food you enjoy, but try to add veg. and fruit.
posted by theora55 at 5:49 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm not a morning person and eggs are easy and cheap protein. Breakfast can be any food you enjoy, but try to add veg. and fruit.
posted by theora55 at 5:49 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've been quite enjoying Grain Free Hot Cereal when my body stopped being able to tolerate oats (of all things).
I mix up a batch of the dry ingredients (substituting brown sugar for the sugar alternatives) that's enough for the week and in the mornings I mix 50/50 with liquid of my choice (usually milk) and heat. I'm lazy with breakfast so usually just eat as is, but I've enjoyed it with peanut butter, nutella, fruits. It might hit the same textural issues as oatmeal for you, though I find the nuts and coconut and the chia provide enough difference to be interesting.
posted by platypus of the universe at 5:49 PM on August 9, 2022
I mix up a batch of the dry ingredients (substituting brown sugar for the sugar alternatives) that's enough for the week and in the mornings I mix 50/50 with liquid of my choice (usually milk) and heat. I'm lazy with breakfast so usually just eat as is, but I've enjoyed it with peanut butter, nutella, fruits. It might hit the same textural issues as oatmeal for you, though I find the nuts and coconut and the chia provide enough difference to be interesting.
posted by platypus of the universe at 5:49 PM on August 9, 2022
Might or might not be helpful to you, but I find it a lot easier to tolerate dealing with breakfast when I can drink it. Especially if it's of the "throw stuff in the blender and drink" variety. I can't remember ever being interested in food - even as a child, before at least 11am, no matter what time I woke up.
My typical base includes a banana and spinach, plus whatever else I feel like throwing in there. Usually more fruit and vegetables, often that I've previously blended and frozen into cubes.
I find it pretty filling, especially when I remember to add greek yogurt and protein powder to it.
Odds are very, very low I'll eat solid food before noon, and if I do, it is only leftovers that take zero prep. However, I somehow manage to not-hate a blended smoothie/cold drink enough to face it on a mostly-daily basis.
posted by stormyteal at 5:52 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
My typical base includes a banana and spinach, plus whatever else I feel like throwing in there. Usually more fruit and vegetables, often that I've previously blended and frozen into cubes.
I find it pretty filling, especially when I remember to add greek yogurt and protein powder to it.
Odds are very, very low I'll eat solid food before noon, and if I do, it is only leftovers that take zero prep. However, I somehow manage to not-hate a blended smoothie/cold drink enough to face it on a mostly-daily basis.
posted by stormyteal at 5:52 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, when I don't want "breakfast food" I eat a ham sandwich, or leftovers. It can be anything you want. If the goal is to have it be a positive ritual, just make sure you're eating something you enjoy.
I recall you previously asking a question about pursuing an autism diagnosis--it's pretty common for autistic people to feel rule-bound by things like this. I broke out of it by applying a different rule: I need to eat whatever is going to go bad soonest. Usually that is not eggs/sausage/oatmeal/etc.
After doing that for a while and getting used to non-breakfast food for breakfast, I was able to shift to eating whatever I wanted in the morning. Though now I default to two medium-boiled eggs cooked in one of those dead-simple egg cookers. Fills me until lunch (though I eat mine a bit early), requires very little prep or thought, and can be eaten without dirtying silverware. Also, brain goes "hee hee hoo hoo" at being able to simply bite an orb.
posted by brook horse at 5:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
I recall you previously asking a question about pursuing an autism diagnosis--it's pretty common for autistic people to feel rule-bound by things like this. I broke out of it by applying a different rule: I need to eat whatever is going to go bad soonest. Usually that is not eggs/sausage/oatmeal/etc.
After doing that for a while and getting used to non-breakfast food for breakfast, I was able to shift to eating whatever I wanted in the morning. Though now I default to two medium-boiled eggs cooked in one of those dead-simple egg cookers. Fills me until lunch (though I eat mine a bit early), requires very little prep or thought, and can be eaten without dirtying silverware. Also, brain goes "hee hee hoo hoo" at being able to simply bite an orb.
posted by brook horse at 5:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
I find the effort of breakfast tedious too, but also feel bad if I don't eat something. My solution most days is a cheese stick and 5-6 wholegrain crackers with a big cup of coffee. It's not a lot of food, but the protein in the cheese is enough to fill that need. If I'm feeling like a "big" breakfast then an English muffin with peanut butter and a sliced up apple is also tasty.
posted by past unusual at 6:19 PM on August 9, 2022
posted by past unusual at 6:19 PM on August 9, 2022
Muffin-tin omelettes can be made ahead and can be stored several days and heat up nice in the microwave. They can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them, but deli ham and cheese is pretty easy and plenty tasty.
posted by sjswitzer at 6:24 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sjswitzer at 6:24 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
For the last 15 years, my breakfast is one raw egg. I break it into a small drinking glass and slurp it down.
There's mixed research about eating raw eggs but it works for me.
I got into it after two centenarians claimed it was one of the secrets of their longevity. One was Dr. Albert Hofmann (the "father" of LSD) who ate two raw eggs mixed with muesli for breakfast and the other, supercentenarian Emma Morano, who on a doctor's recommendation ate 3 eggs a day, two raw and one cooked for 90 years.
posted by rmmcclay at 6:26 PM on August 9, 2022
There's mixed research about eating raw eggs but it works for me.
I got into it after two centenarians claimed it was one of the secrets of their longevity. One was Dr. Albert Hofmann (the "father" of LSD) who ate two raw eggs mixed with muesli for breakfast and the other, supercentenarian Emma Morano, who on a doctor's recommendation ate 3 eggs a day, two raw and one cooked for 90 years.
posted by rmmcclay at 6:26 PM on August 9, 2022
I went to a restaurant in Vancouver once that served what they called a Japanese breakfast: miso soup, fish, rice, seaweed. It was amazing. I also used to eat sardines with onions and mustard on crackers for breakfast every morning. This was very easy to throw together.
So nthing that breakfast can be whatever you want it to be - no need to stick with traditional American breakfast foods. Since you're a foodie, you might have fun exploring what different countries consider a traditional breakfast. When I lived in Germany, there was a local restaurant that served traditional breakfasts from about ten different European countries.
posted by FencingGal at 6:28 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
So nthing that breakfast can be whatever you want it to be - no need to stick with traditional American breakfast foods. Since you're a foodie, you might have fun exploring what different countries consider a traditional breakfast. When I lived in Germany, there was a local restaurant that served traditional breakfasts from about ten different European countries.
posted by FencingGal at 6:28 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
The breakfasts I enjoy most and eat most regularly are things that require minimal effort and don't make me feel worse after eating them. One thing I absolutely can't do is eat breakfast too early. I usually have to be up for at least a couple hours before I try eating. I drink coffee (with cream, no sugar) and cold water soon after waking up, but food comes later in the morning. I love traditional Japanese breakfast, but I don't have the patience or time to try to make that for myself.
A lot of standard American breakfast food makes me feel worse in one way or another after eating it. Here are a couple things that work for me and don't make me feel gross:
- Make several hard boiled eggs at once. Cool in a pot of iced water, and store the unpeeled eggs in the fridge. When ready to eat one for breakfast, peel the egg. Slice it if you want, or just scoop a bit of mayonnaise onto a plate, dip the egg into it, and eat it. (It's good.) Your unpeeled eggs will stay good in the fridge for a few days, but not too many days, so don't make too many. This is good with a slice of whole wheat toast with jam, but usually I'll just eat the mayo-dipped egg and feel pretty good about it.
- Buy a bag of frozen berries. If you're going to prepare breakfast to eat at work, before you leave, put some frozen berries at the bottom of a small eating container with an air-tight lid. Put some plain yogurt on top of the berries along with a couple spoonfuls of rolled oats. Put a sprinkling of pistachios on top of that. You can of course make this with fresh berries instead of frozen if you want to eat it without waiting for it to thaw. I find this very refreshing and surprisingly filling. I usually make it with low-fat non-Greek yogurt, but you can make it with any plain yogurt.
posted by wondermouse at 6:41 PM on August 9, 2022
A lot of standard American breakfast food makes me feel worse in one way or another after eating it. Here are a couple things that work for me and don't make me feel gross:
- Make several hard boiled eggs at once. Cool in a pot of iced water, and store the unpeeled eggs in the fridge. When ready to eat one for breakfast, peel the egg. Slice it if you want, or just scoop a bit of mayonnaise onto a plate, dip the egg into it, and eat it. (It's good.) Your unpeeled eggs will stay good in the fridge for a few days, but not too many days, so don't make too many. This is good with a slice of whole wheat toast with jam, but usually I'll just eat the mayo-dipped egg and feel pretty good about it.
- Buy a bag of frozen berries. If you're going to prepare breakfast to eat at work, before you leave, put some frozen berries at the bottom of a small eating container with an air-tight lid. Put some plain yogurt on top of the berries along with a couple spoonfuls of rolled oats. Put a sprinkling of pistachios on top of that. You can of course make this with fresh berries instead of frozen if you want to eat it without waiting for it to thaw. I find this very refreshing and surprisingly filling. I usually make it with low-fat non-Greek yogurt, but you can make it with any plain yogurt.
posted by wondermouse at 6:41 PM on August 9, 2022
Lowest spoon options first:
I have peanut butter and coconut oil next to my bed. Worst case, a spoonful of each will start you off with a couple hundred calories to provide the energy to be able to actually cook, eat, etc.
You can add them directly to coffee in the morning, to make peanut butter coffee (peanut butter first, add tiny bit of hot liquid and stir with a fork until smooth), then add a bit of a fat like coconut oil or butter. Often easier to consume if solid food seems hard in the mornings.
Protein shakes first thing in the morning are legit.
(Sidetrack, competitive eaters often expand their stomach capacity by having enough water, or Oral Rehydration Solution in one sitting to stretch their stomach slightly. Dunno if that's what a dietician would advise?)
I suggest having something as a 'fallback' option so you're always having *something* even if it's not the full breakfast you meant to.
Honestly chicken wings sounds like a good protein packed breakfast, will keep you going for hours.
I really loved Nasi Lemak for breakfast in Malaysia.
You can do a simple version, that aside from the coconut rice, is all shelf or fridge stable.
A hardboiled egg, small handful of peanuts, anchovies, a scoop of coconut rice, and some sambal sauce or a chutney.
You can keep hardboiled eggs in the fridge for a week, so it's not something to prepare every day. If you don't mind vinegar/pickle, in some countries like the UK you can get jars of pickled/vinegar eggs, which makes it really easy to have the egg each morning.
You can probably portion scoops of coconut rice into the freezer and then reheat in the microwave.
My breakfast at the moment, isn't very asian inspired, it's microwave egg spinach scramble/omelette.
I put 100-150g of frozen spinach or kale in a microwave bowl, heat for a couple of minutes, then add either butter, oil, mayonnaise, or cream (all are good, make the egg creamier + calories), then 3 eggs, heat 2 minutes, stir, 1 minute, stir.
I also optionally add cheese, chopped kranskies, soyasauce, garlic, chopped green onions, for flavour.
In the past I've also made kind of rice noodle ramen for breakfast.
I would put the rice noodles and water in the microwave the night before, ready to heat.
In the morning, I would add some frozen stir fry vege mix to the bowl, and start heating while getting ready.
For protein, I would either crack an egg on top to cook in microwave, or add tuna once it was cooked, or tofu, or precooked chicken.
I would add either miso, or tom yum, or tom kha paste to make it soup.
Noodles + veggies + protein + flavour.
(You could just use ramen noodles, I can't have wheat which is why I couldn't use that as a base).
posted by Elysum at 6:44 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have peanut butter and coconut oil next to my bed. Worst case, a spoonful of each will start you off with a couple hundred calories to provide the energy to be able to actually cook, eat, etc.
You can add them directly to coffee in the morning, to make peanut butter coffee (peanut butter first, add tiny bit of hot liquid and stir with a fork until smooth), then add a bit of a fat like coconut oil or butter. Often easier to consume if solid food seems hard in the mornings.
Protein shakes first thing in the morning are legit.
(Sidetrack, competitive eaters often expand their stomach capacity by having enough water, or Oral Rehydration Solution in one sitting to stretch their stomach slightly. Dunno if that's what a dietician would advise?)
I suggest having something as a 'fallback' option so you're always having *something* even if it's not the full breakfast you meant to.
Honestly chicken wings sounds like a good protein packed breakfast, will keep you going for hours.
I really loved Nasi Lemak for breakfast in Malaysia.
You can do a simple version, that aside from the coconut rice, is all shelf or fridge stable.
A hardboiled egg, small handful of peanuts, anchovies, a scoop of coconut rice, and some sambal sauce or a chutney.
You can keep hardboiled eggs in the fridge for a week, so it's not something to prepare every day. If you don't mind vinegar/pickle, in some countries like the UK you can get jars of pickled/vinegar eggs, which makes it really easy to have the egg each morning.
You can probably portion scoops of coconut rice into the freezer and then reheat in the microwave.
My breakfast at the moment, isn't very asian inspired, it's microwave egg spinach scramble/omelette.
I put 100-150g of frozen spinach or kale in a microwave bowl, heat for a couple of minutes, then add either butter, oil, mayonnaise, or cream (all are good, make the egg creamier + calories), then 3 eggs, heat 2 minutes, stir, 1 minute, stir.
I also optionally add cheese, chopped kranskies, soyasauce, garlic, chopped green onions, for flavour.
In the past I've also made kind of rice noodle ramen for breakfast.
I would put the rice noodles and water in the microwave the night before, ready to heat.
In the morning, I would add some frozen stir fry vege mix to the bowl, and start heating while getting ready.
For protein, I would either crack an egg on top to cook in microwave, or add tuna once it was cooked, or tofu, or precooked chicken.
I would add either miso, or tom yum, or tom kha paste to make it soup.
Noodles + veggies + protein + flavour.
(You could just use ramen noodles, I can't have wheat which is why I couldn't use that as a base).
posted by Elysum at 6:44 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I make a jian bing-inspired breakfast burrito that is very fast and good. I heat up an uncooked flour tortilla, drizzle with sriracha and hoisin, then add some scrambled eggs, and a few sprigs of cilantro. If you want to do eggs I would just suggest experimenting with how you like them cooked, and pair with a favorite sauce or two.
posted by acidic at 6:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by acidic at 6:56 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
It is so hard for me to eat breakfast, I’m not hungry in the morning! But I am thirsty. My current breakfast smoothie is a handful of ice, frozen mango, baby carrots, big handful of spinach, half a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, tablespoon of cacao powder, a banana, and a cup of almond milk. Throw it all in a blender and let it blend until very smooth.
posted by lepus at 7:53 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by lepus at 7:53 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pretty much from 7th-12th grade I had to make my lunch in the mornings, so I just made an extra sandwich every day and ate that for breakfast. And if you don't like to manage sliced bread, and don't like croissants (this remains my go-to, we're living on sandwiches right now and I mostly like them on croissants best), you can do it with english muffins, bagels, bolillo and other soft sandwich rolls from your grocery deli, naan, tortillas, lavash, whatever works for your workflow.
I also usually make an egg-based breakfast casserole every week so we have something to eat most mornings, but you can make any casserole you like. Broccoli-cheese with chicken, jalapeno popper, here's my favorite source of low-carb casseroles.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:55 PM on August 9, 2022
I also usually make an egg-based breakfast casserole every week so we have something to eat most mornings, but you can make any casserole you like. Broccoli-cheese with chicken, jalapeno popper, here's my favorite source of low-carb casseroles.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:55 PM on August 9, 2022
Nthing you don't need to eat traditional breakfast foods for breakfast. I do often eat eggs because I like them, but my other favorite breakfast is tuna salad. I'll make a big batch and eat it for breakfast for a week.
This morning I waited too long to have breakfast until I felt sick to my stomach and nothing sounded good. I wound up having a can of soup and a few peanut-butter filled pretzels.
If you like lunchables that sounds like a perfect breakfast to me. Nothing to cook, portable if you have to take it on the go. Maybe add a piece of fruit for extra nutrients and fiber. If you can't eat it all at once, maybe the fruit can be a mid-morning snack along with a bit of leftover cheese from the lunchable.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:02 PM on August 9, 2022
This morning I waited too long to have breakfast until I felt sick to my stomach and nothing sounded good. I wound up having a can of soup and a few peanut-butter filled pretzels.
If you like lunchables that sounds like a perfect breakfast to me. Nothing to cook, portable if you have to take it on the go. Maybe add a piece of fruit for extra nutrients and fiber. If you can't eat it all at once, maybe the fruit can be a mid-morning snack along with a bit of leftover cheese from the lunchable.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:02 PM on August 9, 2022
I also never want to eat until I've been up for a while and am particular about food texture. So am eagerly reading other answers.
Some things that worked for me :
Peanut butter on good multigrain bread
Peanut butter in oatmeal
Homemade granola bars
Baked oatmeal
Yogurt and granola, but only sometimes
Dried figs and/or nuts
Cheese and crackers
Smoothies give me the shakes.
I also eat pretty late the night before, which could be worth trying.
posted by sepviva at 8:15 PM on August 9, 2022
Some things that worked for me :
Peanut butter on good multigrain bread
Peanut butter in oatmeal
Homemade granola bars
Baked oatmeal
Yogurt and granola, but only sometimes
Dried figs and/or nuts
Cheese and crackers
Smoothies give me the shakes.
I also eat pretty late the night before, which could be worth trying.
posted by sepviva at 8:15 PM on August 9, 2022
If breakfast bars have worked for you in the past, why not try them again? There are any number of recipes for high protein breakfast bars - many use protein powder, some rely on nut butter and eggs. There are no-bake recipes that you just press into a pan and chill. And most have customization options - if you like raisins or mini chocolate chips or whatever, go for it.
I started making bars for my kids when I wanted to cut down on processed food. I wrap each bar in parchment paper and use masking tape to secure it, or use plastic wrap. I’ll make a batch and throw half of them in the freezer. They’re so small that they thaw pretty quickly.
posted by bq at 8:19 PM on August 9, 2022
I started making bars for my kids when I wanted to cut down on processed food. I wrap each bar in parchment paper and use masking tape to secure it, or use plastic wrap. I’ll make a batch and throw half of them in the freezer. They’re so small that they thaw pretty quickly.
posted by bq at 8:19 PM on August 9, 2022
I’m into things on crackers, sometimes cheese and coldcuts, sometimes peanut butter and maybe fruits, sometimes butter and cheese and ham, sometimes cream cheese and smoked salmon or smoked trout salad, sometimes hummus and olives or pickles, sometimes random leftovers, sometimes hard boiled eggs. I do brown rice cakes lately but also like Wasa or Ryvita.
posted by vunder at 8:25 PM on August 9, 2022
posted by vunder at 8:25 PM on August 9, 2022
If it helps, in my part of Asia, there's no really such thing as 'breakfast food', just food you eat at breakfast. So leftovers can be good, but also fresh hot rice first thing in the morning is already perfectly acceptable (and you'll be going back to the rice cooker for lunch and dinner anyway).
Good ideas already above, but if we can work with your preference for asian food, we're big on convenience foods, and goes back to what I'm saying about how we don't segregate food by the time of day. So all of the following suggestions can be eaten at any time. This might help your thinking and planning. Other than stuff like rice wraps like gimbaps and onigiris, we also can have hotpot (like oden) or noodles or flatbreads with spicy curries. Assuming you don't have Asian-style delis nearby, the other thing in our consumer landscape is a lot of freeze-dried and powdered ingredients (which I've mentioned elsewhere, and I'll mention again) which should be stocked in Asian marts. Give those products a try. We're talking about seaweed or miso soup packets even instant rice and also vacuum sealed meals that you'll just need hot water.
There's also standard stuff like frozen dim sums that you can put in a steamer or microwave first thing in the morning. And finally, porridge. Yes, there's rice congee but because there's a cultural familiarity for porridge there's A LOT of just-add-(not even hot) water porridge mixes where it's a variety of fibre and vegetarian protein. For example, here's one I regularly take: Kinohimitsu Superfood. Honestly they taste better than anything the western food replacement powders like Soylent that came much later in the market.
Seriously, check out Asian marts. They'll save your life (and your appetite!)
posted by cendawanita at 8:33 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Good ideas already above, but if we can work with your preference for asian food, we're big on convenience foods, and goes back to what I'm saying about how we don't segregate food by the time of day. So all of the following suggestions can be eaten at any time. This might help your thinking and planning. Other than stuff like rice wraps like gimbaps and onigiris, we also can have hotpot (like oden) or noodles or flatbreads with spicy curries. Assuming you don't have Asian-style delis nearby, the other thing in our consumer landscape is a lot of freeze-dried and powdered ingredients (which I've mentioned elsewhere, and I'll mention again) which should be stocked in Asian marts. Give those products a try. We're talking about seaweed or miso soup packets even instant rice and also vacuum sealed meals that you'll just need hot water.
There's also standard stuff like frozen dim sums that you can put in a steamer or microwave first thing in the morning. And finally, porridge. Yes, there's rice congee but because there's a cultural familiarity for porridge there's A LOT of just-add-(not even hot) water porridge mixes where it's a variety of fibre and vegetarian protein. For example, here's one I regularly take: Kinohimitsu Superfood. Honestly they taste better than anything the western food replacement powders like Soylent that came much later in the market.
Seriously, check out Asian marts. They'll save your life (and your appetite!)
posted by cendawanita at 8:33 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
The only time I ate breakfast consistently was when it was a banana. I like bananas.
posted by kjs4 at 8:41 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by kjs4 at 8:41 PM on August 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
When ADHD means I just need calories, and now, these little energy bombs are my go-to easy grab. I prefer the ball format to bars that you have to press into a pan, and I like that the recipe is so customizable.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 9:22 PM on August 9, 2022
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 9:22 PM on August 9, 2022
Honestly I never ate breakfast either, and for similar reasons. I started to notice though that mornings were getting tougher for me and realized I needed an energy boost to start the day. For me it's a banana and a spoonful of nut butter, usually peanut. A big thing for me was realizing I hate the Jif/Skippy stuff and just getting ones that are peanut and salt. It's fast, I can generally finish before my tea water boils of I have to. Plus I find I enjoy buying a bunch of bananas and seeing how the flavor and experiences change as they ripen, I start pretty green and go pretty mature.
posted by Carillon at 9:31 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Carillon at 9:31 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is not an east Asian suggestion but maybe it will spark ideas.
I never want to eat anything in the morning, and definitely can't face a big plate of food. Small bits and pieces work best for me, so I put together a piece of cheese, half a slice of toast with something non-carby (these days taramasalata, but it's also been avocado, or a French-style scrambled egg, in the past), a couple of berries or pieces of whatever fruit is most in season, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, some salad. And finally a small cup of high-quality Greek yoghurt, drizzled with either olive oil or honey, depending on mood. It's very quick to put together, I get to vary it so don't get bores, and given that I use small quantities of everything, I can take care to use the best I can afford and it becomes a little treat every morning.
If you have the time and the facilities, don't under-estimate the value of a nice environment in which to have your breakfast: outside or by a window, with nice dishes etc. I have mine at our dining table, but change my usual seat so it catches the morning light and feels.
I also recommend a Japanese style breakfast as others have - it follows the same principle of collecting a small range of things that can be put together to make interesting flavours and textures. Quality Mediterranean ingredients are easier for me to access than quality Japanese ones these days, but if I were back in East Asia, I would switch to the latter.
As someone said above, bread can absolutely be frozen. Just put away half or more of a loaf as soon as you bring it home. Make sure it's presliced and arrange it in a sealed container in a way that the slices aren't completely aligned (so it's easy to pry one out if they freeze together). In the morning take it out and put straight in the toaster. Cut them in half before freezing if the slices are too big. I like to do 2 rounds of light toasting rather than one longer one to help it defrost.
posted by tavegyl at 11:06 PM on August 9, 2022
I never want to eat anything in the morning, and definitely can't face a big plate of food. Small bits and pieces work best for me, so I put together a piece of cheese, half a slice of toast with something non-carby (these days taramasalata, but it's also been avocado, or a French-style scrambled egg, in the past), a couple of berries or pieces of whatever fruit is most in season, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, some salad. And finally a small cup of high-quality Greek yoghurt, drizzled with either olive oil or honey, depending on mood. It's very quick to put together, I get to vary it so don't get bores, and given that I use small quantities of everything, I can take care to use the best I can afford and it becomes a little treat every morning.
If you have the time and the facilities, don't under-estimate the value of a nice environment in which to have your breakfast: outside or by a window, with nice dishes etc. I have mine at our dining table, but change my usual seat so it catches the morning light and feels.
I also recommend a Japanese style breakfast as others have - it follows the same principle of collecting a small range of things that can be put together to make interesting flavours and textures. Quality Mediterranean ingredients are easier for me to access than quality Japanese ones these days, but if I were back in East Asia, I would switch to the latter.
As someone said above, bread can absolutely be frozen. Just put away half or more of a loaf as soon as you bring it home. Make sure it's presliced and arrange it in a sealed container in a way that the slices aren't completely aligned (so it's easy to pry one out if they freeze together). In the morning take it out and put straight in the toaster. Cut them in half before freezing if the slices are too big. I like to do 2 rounds of light toasting rather than one longer one to help it defrost.
posted by tavegyl at 11:06 PM on August 9, 2022
Breakfast food is a lie
I hereby grant you the power to eat anything you want for breakfast
posted by medusa at 11:10 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I hereby grant you the power to eat anything you want for breakfast
posted by medusa at 11:10 PM on August 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Get takeout or delivery congee and eat it for breakfast the next morning? It’s cheap enough for that not to be a horrible habit.
Quaker oatmeal packets are good too. Add some frozen or fresh fruit for more flavour, and peanut butter or yogurt for more protein.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:30 PM on August 9, 2022
Quaker oatmeal packets are good too. Add some frozen or fresh fruit for more flavour, and peanut butter or yogurt for more protein.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:30 PM on August 9, 2022
The German breakfast that I am having at the moment sitting under a German castle: a good small bread roll, one of brown bread and a lot of seed; butter; two slices of speck or any other sliced meat of your chose, half a fresh cucumber. Extramly easy and efficient to make, high on calories and proteins, could also be lunch.
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 11:56 PM on August 9, 2022
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 11:56 PM on August 9, 2022
Miso soup with a few cubes of tofu in it could be just the thing to get you started, rather than jumping to a rich meal right away. For breakfast, I find an instant version is just fine, though I had to try a few different brands before finding the one I like.
To me, a lot of "breakfast foods" are smelly and unhealthy. So I have always enjoyed food traditions that don't have breakfast food. At home we often have fried rice or shakshuka, but my daughter works in a kitchen, and is both very good at meal prep and starts work late. Though you can have everything ready the night before, so you don't have to spend a lot of time cooking in the morning.
Something simpler is avocado and cottage cheese. Make it pretty with a few cherry tomatoes and some cilantro. remember salt, but don't overdo it, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Or for a more Asian twist, use tofu instead of the cheese, and cucumber instead of tomato, sprinkle with sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame seed oil.
Here, we suddenly have some really good ready to microwave organic daals. They are really good for a substantial winter breakfast, if you can find something similar. Otherwise that is absolutely something you can cook ahead.
Today I had a soft-boiled egg with a piece of dark rye bread. Yesterday, I had a bowl of whole Greek yogurt with berries: part strawberries that I had cooked into a sauce the day before, and part fresh blueberries. Both were good breakfasts with lots of protein and some fiber.
posted by mumimor at 12:05 AM on August 10, 2022
To me, a lot of "breakfast foods" are smelly and unhealthy. So I have always enjoyed food traditions that don't have breakfast food. At home we often have fried rice or shakshuka, but my daughter works in a kitchen, and is both very good at meal prep and starts work late. Though you can have everything ready the night before, so you don't have to spend a lot of time cooking in the morning.
Something simpler is avocado and cottage cheese. Make it pretty with a few cherry tomatoes and some cilantro. remember salt, but don't overdo it, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Or for a more Asian twist, use tofu instead of the cheese, and cucumber instead of tomato, sprinkle with sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame seed oil.
Here, we suddenly have some really good ready to microwave organic daals. They are really good for a substantial winter breakfast, if you can find something similar. Otherwise that is absolutely something you can cook ahead.
Today I had a soft-boiled egg with a piece of dark rye bread. Yesterday, I had a bowl of whole Greek yogurt with berries: part strawberries that I had cooked into a sauce the day before, and part fresh blueberries. Both were good breakfasts with lots of protein and some fiber.
posted by mumimor at 12:05 AM on August 10, 2022
You mention that oatmeal doesn’t work for you texturally. Have you tried Bircher Müsli? That link is a basic recipe, this one talks about the general components and common variations. People often make a batch to eat for several days. It keeps well in the fridge. Soaking makes the grains soft but does not break them down the way cooking does.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:23 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:23 AM on August 10, 2022
German breakfast and Japanese breakfast are my favorite but I also love Turkish breakfast. Like the other two it is a spread of small amounts of cuisine staples. In this case, soft cheeses, honey, fresh vegetables, olives, fruits, other spreads, black tea, and different breads ranging from flatbreads to seeded rolls. Basically, take all your condiments and the produce drawer and create a selection to eat on or with bread. You can do eggs and meats too, or soups, stews, whatever leftovers you have.
On days when I am in a hurry or don’t want to think, I enjoy having cottage cheese with blueberries (or whatever berries or stone fruit I have) and some crumbled nuts on top, usually walnuts or cashews. In a pinch, I swirl some jam into cottage cheese and call it good. I’ve found the protein really helps satiate and the texture of nuts and fruit with the cheese is just complex enough to tell my foodie mind that I’ve had something notable without any cooking or dirty dishes being made.
My favorite fast Asian-ish breakfast is leftover reheated rice, kimchi I heated up in a bit of sesame oil, scrambled eggs made in that same pan so it picks up that flavor (scallions first if I have the time to chop a scallion) and crumbled up nori on top.
If you like smoked fish look into smoked sprats packed in oil. Tremendous, can be eaten straight of the jar or sautéed with eggs or vegetables, microwaved with rice, etc. My favorite is probably toasted dark rye bread, butter, thinly sliced radishes, and sprats. Brilliant especially if you have another slice of toast with marmalade or fig preserves.
posted by Mizu at 1:43 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
On days when I am in a hurry or don’t want to think, I enjoy having cottage cheese with blueberries (or whatever berries or stone fruit I have) and some crumbled nuts on top, usually walnuts or cashews. In a pinch, I swirl some jam into cottage cheese and call it good. I’ve found the protein really helps satiate and the texture of nuts and fruit with the cheese is just complex enough to tell my foodie mind that I’ve had something notable without any cooking or dirty dishes being made.
My favorite fast Asian-ish breakfast is leftover reheated rice, kimchi I heated up in a bit of sesame oil, scrambled eggs made in that same pan so it picks up that flavor (scallions first if I have the time to chop a scallion) and crumbled up nori on top.
If you like smoked fish look into smoked sprats packed in oil. Tremendous, can be eaten straight of the jar or sautéed with eggs or vegetables, microwaved with rice, etc. My favorite is probably toasted dark rye bread, butter, thinly sliced radishes, and sprats. Brilliant especially if you have another slice of toast with marmalade or fig preserves.
posted by Mizu at 1:43 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I like a small savoury breakfast, if I'm eating first thing.
When I was commuting, I'd get something at the station: a bread roll and a piece of cheese, or a smoked salmon bagel, or a bacon sandwich (just bacon in a roll or English muffin).
With more time on my hands, I favour:
- a German breakfast, seconding what other people have already said
- salmon onigiri, either freshly made or cold from the fridge
- eggs: scrambled with toast, or an omelette, or a soft-boiled egg with a slice of bread, or a fried egg on rice with soy sauce.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:11 AM on August 10, 2022
When I was commuting, I'd get something at the station: a bread roll and a piece of cheese, or a smoked salmon bagel, or a bacon sandwich (just bacon in a roll or English muffin).
With more time on my hands, I favour:
- a German breakfast, seconding what other people have already said
- salmon onigiri, either freshly made or cold from the fridge
- eggs: scrambled with toast, or an omelette, or a soft-boiled egg with a slice of bread, or a fried egg on rice with soy sauce.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:11 AM on August 10, 2022
I knew someone whose favorite breakfast was a big pile of heated up frozen spinach with lots of butter. There are no rules. You are absolutely free.
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:21 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:21 AM on August 10, 2022
Another vote for tamago kake gohan. You can set the rice cooker to be ready in the morning then just crack an egg in, add whatever toppings and go. Quick, easy, tasty.
posted by corvine at 3:33 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by corvine at 3:33 AM on August 10, 2022
If you've got a nutribullet you're a few noises away from smoothies for breakfast. In summer I'll do berry ones and in winter banana ones.
Summer: Big handful berries, large spoonful greek yoghurt, big splash of milk - blend
Winter: One banana, large spoonful greek yoghurt, big splash of milk, small sprinkle of mace/nutmeg and cinnamon - blend
I don't even sit down for breakfast, something about sitting down reminds me of bed and I just want to stop, shut my eyes and get that bed snuggle back on.
Bonus - if you don't want it right then, you can take it with you and sip along the way. I usually try to slurp it down in double quick time as I don't really have the belly for breakfast if I think too much about it.
posted by london explorer girl at 3:58 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Summer: Big handful berries, large spoonful greek yoghurt, big splash of milk - blend
Winter: One banana, large spoonful greek yoghurt, big splash of milk, small sprinkle of mace/nutmeg and cinnamon - blend
I don't even sit down for breakfast, something about sitting down reminds me of bed and I just want to stop, shut my eyes and get that bed snuggle back on.
Bonus - if you don't want it right then, you can take it with you and sip along the way. I usually try to slurp it down in double quick time as I don't really have the belly for breakfast if I think too much about it.
posted by london explorer girl at 3:58 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Smoothies for sure. If you want/need protein, make sure you use cow milk, soy milk, or add a protein powder - the other nut milks (almond, etc) don't have much protein.
I haven't seen anyone mention frozen waffles yet. My weekday breakfasts are frequently a frozen waffle with peanut butter - you can get keto/higher protein ones (though I haven't tried those, have no idea how they taste) and easily add some slices of banana or other fruit. But you can also add savory toppings, like cottage cheese or cream cheese and fruit, or even avocado and canned salmon or fried egg if that's something you'd prefer. Most frozen waffles that I've tried aren't really all that sweet by themselves so it's not as weird as it sounds. I just really like the convenience and the crunch of a well-toasted frozen waffle!
posted by misskaz at 4:48 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen anyone mention frozen waffles yet. My weekday breakfasts are frequently a frozen waffle with peanut butter - you can get keto/higher protein ones (though I haven't tried those, have no idea how they taste) and easily add some slices of banana or other fruit. But you can also add savory toppings, like cottage cheese or cream cheese and fruit, or even avocado and canned salmon or fried egg if that's something you'd prefer. Most frozen waffles that I've tried aren't really all that sweet by themselves so it's not as weird as it sounds. I just really like the convenience and the crunch of a well-toasted frozen waffle!
posted by misskaz at 4:48 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
A fitness person I follow on Insta posted how she makes her breakfast bowl (rice, beans, egg, goat cheese) yesterday -- good timing! Here it is.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 4:50 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by Sparky Buttons at 4:50 AM on August 10, 2022
When I feel like eating breakfast my usual go to is a home made egg mcmufffin. Toast an English muffin; while that is going, Crack an egg in to a small microwaveable bowl like a ceramic ramekin, poke it once with a fork and cover with a paper towel. Zap for 20-30 seconds. When the bread is done add butter, cheese, deli meat and the egg.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 5:02 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by ArgentCorvid at 5:02 AM on August 10, 2022
How many different breakfast burritos have you tried? Quality varies a lot. In my experience, El Monterey frozen microwave breakfast burritos are the best.
You also don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast. Just get something nutritious that you like to eat that you can pop in the microwave.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:44 AM on August 10, 2022
You also don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast. Just get something nutritious that you like to eat that you can pop in the microwave.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:44 AM on August 10, 2022
I'm a big fan of smoothies for breakfast. Drinking something is easier than eating for me in the mornings. I make my smoothie the night before and stick it in the fridge. It means it's a little on the thinner side by the next morning, but that just makes it easier to drink quickly the next morning.
I use plain greek yogurt to add protein. Low fat or full fat greek yogurt will also help you feel fuller for longer because of the fat content.
My usual is 3/4 cup greek yogurt, half a banana, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, a handful of frozen blueberries, plus enough water to blend.
I actually do 2 breakfasts, spread out over the morning. So there's the smoothie, then also a blueberry muffin. I use the smitten kitchen recipe as a base, with modifications to make it healthier/more filling:
I replace the sugar with apple sauce.*
I use white whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour.
I add 1 cup of quick oats (or you can use regular oats - I just like that I don't notice the quick oats as much).*
*Note: I don't think this would work unless you do both quick oats and apple sauce together. Just quick oats would make muffins too dry. Apple sauce replacing sugar without quick oats would make muffins too watery.
It's a pretty forgiving recipe for experimenting.
I double the recipe, which gets me a little over two weeks worth of muffins. I freeze the muffins, so I can just grab one from the freezer. (I find the muffins get gummy pretty quickly left on the counter, so I freeze them as soon as they cooled out of the oven. They freeze and defrost really well.)
The combo of these healthier blueberry muffins plus a smoothie keeps me going until lunch very easily without feeling hungry. I like splitting up my meals like this so that I'm sort of eating a small snack or meal every couple hours. I don't like eating too much at once, which it sounds like is the case for you as well. (Honestly, this may still be a hold over from my eating disorder days, but it works for me.)
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:12 AM on August 10, 2022
I use plain greek yogurt to add protein. Low fat or full fat greek yogurt will also help you feel fuller for longer because of the fat content.
My usual is 3/4 cup greek yogurt, half a banana, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, a handful of frozen blueberries, plus enough water to blend.
I actually do 2 breakfasts, spread out over the morning. So there's the smoothie, then also a blueberry muffin. I use the smitten kitchen recipe as a base, with modifications to make it healthier/more filling:
I replace the sugar with apple sauce.*
I use white whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour.
I add 1 cup of quick oats (or you can use regular oats - I just like that I don't notice the quick oats as much).*
*Note: I don't think this would work unless you do both quick oats and apple sauce together. Just quick oats would make muffins too dry. Apple sauce replacing sugar without quick oats would make muffins too watery.
It's a pretty forgiving recipe for experimenting.
I double the recipe, which gets me a little over two weeks worth of muffins. I freeze the muffins, so I can just grab one from the freezer. (I find the muffins get gummy pretty quickly left on the counter, so I freeze them as soon as they cooled out of the oven. They freeze and defrost really well.)
The combo of these healthier blueberry muffins plus a smoothie keeps me going until lunch very easily without feeling hungry. I like splitting up my meals like this so that I'm sort of eating a small snack or meal every couple hours. I don't like eating too much at once, which it sounds like is the case for you as well. (Honestly, this may still be a hold over from my eating disorder days, but it works for me.)
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:12 AM on August 10, 2022
I have adopted a breakfast (or sometimes for lunch) from a Persian Tik Toker - pita smeared with feta and topped with a slice of cucumber and a walnut half. Add in some fresh herbs. Have also small town americanized it with what i can get here- goat cheese, naan, cucumber, walnuts. This summer have added tomatoes from the garden. Surprisingly filling. She also does a sweeter bite with honey and cheese or jam and cheese.
My daughter buys salmon rolls or smoked salmon from Trader joes or sprouts and eats that.. Ditto the scallion pancakes.
posted by domino at 8:19 AM on August 10, 2022
My daughter buys salmon rolls or smoked salmon from Trader joes or sprouts and eats that.. Ditto the scallion pancakes.
posted by domino at 8:19 AM on August 10, 2022
I eat whatever the heck i want for breakfast. Tortellini soup? Chicken wings? Don't mind if i do! Leftovers are fair game.
You mentioned something protein rich but light. I nth the suggestion of Greek yogurt. Plain with added berries and a sprinkling of sweetener of choice over the top. I also like avocado toast with a sprinkle of Everything But the Bagel seasoning over it. I don't eat my bread very fast either, so when i buy it, i open it up and separate each slice so it's not sticking, then close it and throw it in the freezer. That way, i can remove a slice or two as needed and toss it in the toaster.
I also like protein shakes. I take a scoop of protein, throw it in the blender with a half a banana, water or milk of choice, and flavoring agents (fruit, sugar free syrups, etc). My favorite for the fall is to replace my liquid with coffee and my banana with frozen pumpkin and add sweetener and cinnamon or pumpkin spice and end up with something similar to a PSL Frappuccino, but better for you.
posted by BlueBear at 8:39 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
You mentioned something protein rich but light. I nth the suggestion of Greek yogurt. Plain with added berries and a sprinkling of sweetener of choice over the top. I also like avocado toast with a sprinkle of Everything But the Bagel seasoning over it. I don't eat my bread very fast either, so when i buy it, i open it up and separate each slice so it's not sticking, then close it and throw it in the freezer. That way, i can remove a slice or two as needed and toss it in the toaster.
I also like protein shakes. I take a scoop of protein, throw it in the blender with a half a banana, water or milk of choice, and flavoring agents (fruit, sugar free syrups, etc). My favorite for the fall is to replace my liquid with coffee and my banana with frozen pumpkin and add sweetener and cinnamon or pumpkin spice and end up with something similar to a PSL Frappuccino, but better for you.
posted by BlueBear at 8:39 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Here is a plan for life. You only have to make two breakfasts, and then you never have to make breakfast again for as long as you live.
Day one: make some eggs or something for breakfast. Gross: boring breakfast! Luckily this is the next to the last time ever. Make a large, delicious dinner that night and only eat part of it. Put the rest in the fridge for later.
Day two: Make something you can stand to eat for breakfast. Shudder! Never again! Make a large, fun, delicious dinner that night and only eat part of it. Put the rest in the fridge for later.
Day three: eat day one's dinner leftovers for breakfast. Make a delightful large dinner that night and only eat part of it.
Day four: eat day two's dinner leftovers for breakfast. Make a creative, fun, innovative large dinner that night and only eat part of it.
Day five through infinity: make large delightful dinners and eat two-nights-ago's tasty dinner leftovers for breakfast today.
posted by Don Pepino at 9:13 AM on August 10, 2022
Day one: make some eggs or something for breakfast. Gross: boring breakfast! Luckily this is the next to the last time ever. Make a large, delicious dinner that night and only eat part of it. Put the rest in the fridge for later.
Day two: Make something you can stand to eat for breakfast. Shudder! Never again! Make a large, fun, delicious dinner that night and only eat part of it. Put the rest in the fridge for later.
Day three: eat day one's dinner leftovers for breakfast. Make a delightful large dinner that night and only eat part of it.
Day four: eat day two's dinner leftovers for breakfast. Make a creative, fun, innovative large dinner that night and only eat part of it.
Day five through infinity: make large delightful dinners and eat two-nights-ago's tasty dinner leftovers for breakfast today.
posted by Don Pepino at 9:13 AM on August 10, 2022
Bone broth or stock are an easy way to sneak protein into a meal. If you find one that tastes good, you can sip it; I find this better for keeping me going than I would expect. You can also use it as a base for soup or rice.
posted by Comet Bug at 9:25 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by Comet Bug at 9:25 AM on August 10, 2022
I'm out of peanut butter and had a jelly and cream cheese sandwich this morning, and it was rather tasty.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:56 AM on August 10, 2022
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:56 AM on August 10, 2022
Best answer: Shrunk stomach, ADHD, can't eat too early here! There are many great suggestions already, so I'm just adding a couple I haven't seen already.
I do 2 breakfasts - the 1st is a small fruit to help with my medication, usually about an hour after I wake up (still earlier than I like, but doable). The second is when I'm actually hungry at work - leftovers or oats/ramen that I keep in the office for this reason.
Rather than fighting the small stomach, I just eat more small meals throughout the day. I also eat 2 lunches - I just split the meal into 2 & eat half at lunch & the other half at about 3 pm.
Good luck!
posted by (bra) at 11:19 AM on August 10, 2022
I do 2 breakfasts - the 1st is a small fruit to help with my medication, usually about an hour after I wake up (still earlier than I like, but doable). The second is when I'm actually hungry at work - leftovers or oats/ramen that I keep in the office for this reason.
Rather than fighting the small stomach, I just eat more small meals throughout the day. I also eat 2 lunches - I just split the meal into 2 & eat half at lunch & the other half at about 3 pm.
Good luck!
posted by (bra) at 11:19 AM on August 10, 2022
Best answer: For example, the idea of making an American style breakfast (fried eggs, sausage, hash browns) is too rich and is very unappetizing. I am trying steelcut oatmeal in my rice cooker, but I find it rather confusing to eat texturally. (I'm Asian but don't really like congee unless it's like 50% thousand year old egg.) The most successful breakfast I've had this week was eating leftover deli chicken wings. I do love lunchables, and enjoy eating deli meat, Trader Joe's pre-sliced cheese squares, and golden round crackers when I have no appetite. I prefer protein-heavy foods to carbs, because carbs always make me hungry really quickly. I don't eat croissants or breakfast pastries, find breakfast burritos kind of strangely intolerable and overall prefer Asian food.
Honestly, it doesn't sound like you hate breakfast, it sounds more like you dislike certain traditional breakfast foods. And - that's totally fine! All that really matters is that you eat something, and that "something" can be whatever suits your own body's specific needs and your palate's specific tastes.
There was a series of PSA's for kids that used to get broadcast during Saturday Morning Cartoon shows when I was young, and one of them had some Ideas For Quick Breakfasts made out of fridge leftovers. And some of his ideas may appeal (I was immediately reminded of it when I saw your notes above):
Or, chicken wings work too. Only instead of getting them from the deli all the time, you could make a batch of your own - I would make batches of chicken wings for my bag lunches sometimes, and it's easy as anything and they lasted a good while in the fridge while I ate through them. I'd just get a package of chicken wings from the supermarket, dump the whole package into a tinfoil-lined baking sheet and drizzle them all with a little olive oil and season with whatever took my fancy (usually just salt and pepper); then I'd roast them at 500 degrees for about 20 minutes, give the pan a good shake and roast another 10 minutes. That'll probably do you for about four or five days' worth of breakfasts. (I'd be more inclined to add some fruit to that, though.)
But the point is really just to eat something. And that "something" can be whatever you want short of a pound of candy or something.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:41 AM on August 10, 2022
Honestly, it doesn't sound like you hate breakfast, it sounds more like you dislike certain traditional breakfast foods. And - that's totally fine! All that really matters is that you eat something, and that "something" can be whatever suits your own body's specific needs and your palate's specific tastes.
There was a series of PSA's for kids that used to get broadcast during Saturday Morning Cartoon shows when I was young, and one of them had some Ideas For Quick Breakfasts made out of fridge leftovers. And some of his ideas may appeal (I was immediately reminded of it when I saw your notes above):
There's orange juice and milk and fruit just waiting to be taken,Since you already said you liked deli meat and cheese, maybe for you, the ideal breakfast is just something like a ham and cheese sandwich. And that wouldn't be a bad idea at all - it's portable if you're running late, and you can heat it up in cold weather just by throwing it under a toaster oven. It's also something you can throw together quickly when you're half awake. And while I'm sure dietitians would recommend you add a piece of fruit to that, I also think you can get away with having that fruit with your lunch instead.
And bless my soul, right here's a bowl with one cold piece of steak in!
A hard boiled egg, a chicken leg, some cheese or luncheon meat,
And a peanut butter sandwich any time of day's a treat!
Or, chicken wings work too. Only instead of getting them from the deli all the time, you could make a batch of your own - I would make batches of chicken wings for my bag lunches sometimes, and it's easy as anything and they lasted a good while in the fridge while I ate through them. I'd just get a package of chicken wings from the supermarket, dump the whole package into a tinfoil-lined baking sheet and drizzle them all with a little olive oil and season with whatever took my fancy (usually just salt and pepper); then I'd roast them at 500 degrees for about 20 minutes, give the pan a good shake and roast another 10 minutes. That'll probably do you for about four or five days' worth of breakfasts. (I'd be more inclined to add some fruit to that, though.)
But the point is really just to eat something. And that "something" can be whatever you want short of a pound of candy or something.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:41 AM on August 10, 2022
Best answer: You got a lot of food suggestions, so I thought I'd tackle the morning ritual part. I like doing a crossword with my breakfast. It provides entertainment, but also a clear start and end to the time. (Unless it was way too easy, in which case sometimes I'll enjoy my tea while looking out the window for a bit.)
Definitely pick foods you enjoy to eat for breakfast (that can be party of what you look forward to). But have a fun activity that has a natural start and end, not just phone browsing or even a book. If you're not a crossword person, there's also sodoku, logic puzzles, and so on.
posted by blueberry monster at 8:04 PM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Definitely pick foods you enjoy to eat for breakfast (that can be party of what you look forward to). But have a fun activity that has a natural start and end, not just phone browsing or even a book. If you're not a crossword person, there's also sodoku, logic puzzles, and so on.
posted by blueberry monster at 8:04 PM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by yueliang at 4:37 PM on August 9, 2022