This story was originally published on blog.healthtap.com on January 16, 2018.
We all know that we should add more veggies to our diets to be even healthier, but it can be challenging to fit all the servings we need into a day. Why not make the most important meal of the day as healthy as possible, and knock some of your daily servings out of the way first thing in the morning? Make it easy to get in the amount of veggies you need by sneaking them in to your breakfast. Here are 6 clever ideas to get you started.
Throw some greens in your smoothie
Give yourself a burst of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients as soon as you wake up by throwing some greens into your smoothies. It’s an easy way to pack a ton of veggies into your meal without even tasting it, and in a way that is delicious and easy to digest. Try this acai and almond butter smoothie that’s packed with hidden spinach, or this recipe for a matcha and greens smoothie bowl that’s perfect for a morning energy boost.
Make a savory egg bowl
Who doesn’t love starting a morning with farm fresh eggs? Veggies, eggs, and whole grains make a terrific trio; a perfectly balanced combination of slow burning carbs, protein, and healthy fat. Try fried eggs on top of savory oatmeal or quinoa, with pan sautéed mushrooms and arugula. We also love adding some avocado on top too.
Put some zucchini in your chocolate muffins
Veggies and chocolate? Yes, this CAN be a match made in heaven. Grated zucchini makes your muffins moist, and allows you to to get vitamin C, potassium, and anti-inflammatory properties in the form of a sweet treat. Healthify your muffins even more by finding a low sugar recipe, making them with whole wheat flour, and using antioxidant-rich cacao powder. These muffins are especially great breakfast options if you happen to have little picky-eaters on your hands.
Spice up your brunch with sweet potato pancakes
These seasonally spiced pancakes make the perfect breakfast treat. Add sweet potato puree to your pancake batter, and the natural sweetness from the sweet potatoes will help cut down on added sugar and the fiber will keep you full. It’s a delicious way to pack in B vitamins and vitamin C as soon as you start your morning. Make sure you top your pancakes with 100% maple syrup for an additive-free option. We love adding almond butter on top as well.
Use leftover veggies in a frittata
A great way to use up any leftover veggies you have in the fridge is to throw them in with some eggs. Simply chop the veggies up, mix with beaten eggs, and bake! A veggie frittata is also a super easy meal to prep for a week’s worth of breakfasts you can eat in the morning or grab to take on the go. We love using spinach, tomato, basil in ours, and adding fresh goat cheese on top.
Make pumpkin overnight oats
Pumpkin spice season may be over, but this veggie deserves to be celebrated all winter long. Pumpkin is packed with beta carotene, which is great for your eyesight and may have cancer-fighting properties. Make pumpkin overnight oats by mixing oats, pumpkin puree, and omega-3 packed chia seeds. Combine ½ cup oats with ¼ cup pumpkin puree, 1 tbsp chia seeds, ½ cup almond milk, and cinnamon and maple syrup to taste. Store in the fridge overnight, and top with your favorite toppings in the morning. Can’t get enough pumpkin? These pumpkin recipes make amazing breakfast options as well.
Author: Maggie Harriman
