by Jill Tomich
Ultimate Bootcamp Co-Founder
Certified Health Coach and Mind/Body Specialist
When there is little time between your early morning workout and work, it can be difficult to fit in a healthy breakfast. Especially when you need a protein-packed breakfast to help you recover from your
boot camp workout.
Whether you're looking for a gluten-free breakfast (no grains), a paleo breakfast (no dairy, legumes, grains) or vegetarian breakfast (no animal products) there is a protein-packed breakfast alternative for you.
1. Green Protein Smoothie Breakfast
If you have a hard time fitting green vegetables into your daily meals, try "hiding" them in a green smoothie. If you're new to making green smoothies try spinach or lacinato kale as the main green. These two green veggies are so mild in taste that you barely notice it. For a
protein boost, add organic frozen shelled edamame (soybeans) or a scoop of spirulina-based protein (a sea algae naturally high in protein)
Peach Mango Green Smoothie Recipe
1/4 cup frozen shelled edamame
big handful of spinach or lacinato (tuscan) kale
1/2 banana
1/4 cup frozen peaches
1/4 cup frozen mango
1 scoop Spirulina Protein Powder
Cover the fruit with water or coconut water and blend until smooth
 |
| Shelled edamame adds natural protein to smoothies |
Green smoothies are much, much, much easier to make when you have a powerful blender. I love my
Vitamix
blender. Although it was an investment, my Vitamix is now easily the most-used kitchen appliance in my house. Amazon.com usually has good deals. You can get this
Vitamix 1300 TurboBlend 4500
for under $400.
2. Apple with Almond Butter
Simply slice an apple and slather on your favorite nut butter.
3. Smoked Salmon Lettuce Wraps
For breakfast on-the-go wrap smoked salmon (read the label for sugar and salt content), tomatoes and sliced red onions into Romaine or Boston bibb lettuce. Add hot peppers or hot sauce for a spicy kick without the calories.
4. Sweet Potato Apple Hash with Bacon
If you have 10 minutes to cook breakfast you can't go wrong with sweet potatoes (starchy carbs help you recover from endurance
boot camp workouts). Kids of all ages will love this family-friendly recipe, so you might want to double it ;o)
Sweet Potato Apple Hash Recipe
4 oz high-quality, organic thick-cut bacon or Canadian Bacon
1 apple, chopped
1 small sweet potato, chopped
1 tablespoon coconut oil
cinnamon & pepper to taste
In a small pan, cook bacon. In another pan, saute apples and sweet potato in coconut oil until soft. Add cinnamon and pepper. Once bacon is cooked, add to apple/sweet potato mixture and mash together.
Warning: If you don't know where your food comes from you need to get educated....now! How your food is raised and harvested drastically affects your health. If you haven't yet, watch the movies
Food Inc.
and
Food Matters
5. Breakfast Berry Bowl
Wheat in America has been genetically modified to resist diseases and drought. As a result, it contains 3x more gluten than grain found in Europe. For many, this means even wheat pasta, whole grain bread, wheat crackers and other "healthy" grain options can upset their stomachs and wreak havoc on their thyroid.
Choose ancient grains instead. Grains like farro, spelt, kamut, amaranth and quinoa have higher nutritional profiles than standard American grains and pack more protein. When cooking these grains for dinner, make extra so you can make a Breakfast Berry Bowl the next day.
Bob's Red Mill carries most of these ancient grains and can be found in most grocery and big box stores in the natural food aisle.
Quinoa Berry Bowl
1/2 cup cooked plain quinoa
1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries
1 medjool date or 1/2 banana for natural sweetness
1/4 cup walnuts
cinammon, nutmeg and real vanilla extract to taste
In a saucepan, warm the berries. Add the cooked quinoa just until warm. Slice dates or banana on top. Sprinkle with walnuts. Enjoy!
Did I miss one of your favorite protein-packed breakfast alternatives? Let me know in the comments below!
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