Not sure where to begin?
Why not start at the beginning?
The foundation of your day – and your gluten-free lifestyle – is Breakfast.
The very fact that it’s your first meal of the day, is exactly why it’s so important!
Maybe you’ve always eaten breakfast, or maybe this concept is new to you.
Perhaps you’re one of those people who never eats first thing in the morning, or before noon.
I recently heard a nutritionist talk about the value of starting one’s day off right, simply by eating a regular meal.
That’s because adequate fuel is what gets you through the day.
She subsequently addressed the common dilemma of “but I don’t eat breakfast” by suggesting that you start small.
If that sounds like you, it might be a matter of changing your mindset.
Mindsets are powerful.
This is why, for most of us eating a Western diet (consisting of cereal, or eggs and bacon with a side of toast) might question what choices we have when eating gluten-free.
The answer is there’s still plenty to choose from – beginning with a great selection of gluten-free cereals.
That’s fine if your preferred first meal of the day is cold cereal with milk, or hot cereal such as gluten-free oatmeal or buckwheat.
Beyond that, I’m going to challenge you to think outside the box.
There are many cultures that depend on staples such as rice for the first meal of the day, usually eaten with vegetables and a small amount of protein.
Yes, this is very different from the Western diet that focuses on satisfying our sweet tooth with the likes of granola, pancakes, waffles or muffins.
Indeed, the only savory foods we are likely to eat for breakfast are eggs, with a side of potatoes or toast, and of course the toast is typically spread with honey or jam.
Because I need to avoid eggs and dairy, along with gluten, scrambled eggs or an omelet are not an option for me.
You also want to avoid foods that are overly processed.
Stick with cooked grains such as brown rice or quinoa, and top them with sunflower or pumpkin seeds, and perhaps some avocado.
You can experiment with whatever works for you.
A breakfast smoothie is another great option!
In an upcoming post I’ll offer some suggestions for breakfast on the go, especially when traveling.
In the meantime, here is one of my favorite smoothies – perfect for breakfast or a quick pick-me-up.
This cold drink provides protein, carbs and healthy fats – everything you need to start your day.
BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE
1 cup Milk – your choice of dairy, rice, almond or hemp
½ cup frozen Blueberries
1 small Banana
2 – 3 Strawberries (may be frozen)
1 – 2 Tbsp Sunflower Butter – or any nut butter of your choosing
1 Tbsp Acai Powder or Gluten-Free Protein Powder
Optional: A big handful of greens, such as spinach or kale
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Pour into a tall glass and serve.
Makes 1-2 servings.
Now it’s your turn.
Do you have a favorite, go-to breakfast?
I’d love to hear from you!
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