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Healthy Lifestyles that Last Blog

Remix your mornings with breakfast salads

avocado and tomato salad on top of whole wheat toast

Are you tired of the same old breakfast every morning? It’s time to turn over a new leaf!

If you’re looking for a fresh start to your day with protein, healthy fats, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals then look no further. Breakfast salads are an easy and delicious way to fill up on fiber and 2- 3 servings of fruits or vegetables all before 9:00 a.m.

Salads are simply a mixture of foods consisting of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, or grains mixed with a sauce. By adding your favorite breakfast flavors you can transform an ordinary breakfast into a reason to wake up the morning. The addition of fruits, vegetables and whole grains will keep you feeling full longer and give you the energy needed for a productive day. Additionally, high-fiber, high-protein breakfasts may help you snack less and eat fewer sugary foods throughout the day.

Let’s face it, the average American consumes 77 grams of added sugar each day- three times the recommended amount for women (25 grams) and more than twice the limit for men (36 grams). The typical breakfast contains more sugar than any other macronutrient. Get out of the sugary-cereal-and-drive-thru-donut rut.

Remix your mornings with these (naturally) sweet and savory recipes.

SAVORY

Spinach Salad with Poached Egg and Chimichurri

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup each of cilantro and parsley
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Red pepper flakes to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 cups spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 tbsp feta cheese
  • Thinly sliced red onion
  • Optional toppings: microgreens (pictured), crumbled bacon, mushrooms, seeds

Directions:

  1. Place the first six ingredients into a small food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides if needed.
  2. Cook egg as desired. The egg in the picture was poached in lightly simmering water with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar.
  3. Assemble salad ingredients onto a plate and top with an egg. Drizzle the chimichurri dressing over the salad and enjoy.

SWEET

Mixed Berries with Banana Cream

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mixed berries, washed
  • ½ banana, mashed
  • 5-oz container of yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Optional toppings- chopped nuts, seeds or granola

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, mix the banana, yogurt and orange juice until smooth.
  2. Pour over bowl of mixed berries and sprinkle with cinnamon.
  3. Top with optional ingredients like chopped walnuts and enjoy.

SAVORY

Summery Avocado Salad on Whole Wheat Toast

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • ½ cup sour Mexican cucumbers, halved
  • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • Fresh cilantro or other seasonal herbs
  • 1 lime or ½ lemon
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 pieces whole wheat toast

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together the first six ingredients.
  2. Top two pieces of toast with the avocado salad.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper if using.

*Note- if you have leftover chimichurri sauce from the first recipe, use that in place of the olive oil.

SWEET

Stone Fruit Salad with Lemon Verbena Glaze

Ingredients:

  • 1 peach, sliced
  • 1 cup of mixed berries
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ lemon, juice and zest
  • ¼ cup lemon verbena

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, simmer honey, water, lemon juice/zest and lemon verbena for a few minutes until fragrant. Reduce heat and cook on low for a few minutes more.
  2. Allow glaze to cool before mixing with the fruit. 

Create your own breakfast salad with a combination of flavors including:

  • Berries
  • Chopped nuts and seeds
  • Spinach
  • Bacon
  • Wheat berries
  • Avocado
  • Oranges
  • Arugula
  • Eggs
  • Shredded vegetables like beets and carrots
  • Feta or goat cheese

Or try one of these classics on a slice of whole-grain toast:

  • Egg salad
  • Chicken salad
  • Tuna salad