Slimming Down For the New Year? A Skinny Breakfast Recipe Roundup
Research shows that breakfast eaters consume fewer total calories throughout the day than those who skip it; and breakfast eaters are more successful at long-term weight loss, too. If losing weight or staying trim is one of your New Year’s resolutions, your morning breakfast should come from foods known to jumpstart your metabolism and keep it going strong until lunch. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and protein are key ingredients to make any breakfast a recipe for slimming success. Here’s our recipe roundup for breakfast ideas that will keep you trim and fit for 2012:
Smoothies
If you tend to have a sweet tooth, smoothies are a great breakfast choice. Load up your blender with seasonal fruits and vegetables, and you’ll have a naturally sweet drink that’s chock full of nutrients densely packed into a convenient drink. Add fresh ginger or herbs (like mint, vanilla or cardamom) to any smoothie recipe for a flavor boost and increased metabolic action.
Try these:
- Lean Green Smoothie, Serious Eats
- Purple Superfoods Smoothie, Serious Eats
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie, Organic Authority
Eggs
Eggs are a leaner protein choice than sodium-heavy breakfast meats like ham or steak. If you’re sticking to a calorie-restricted diet, you may choose just egg whites in your dishes; otherwise, go for the whole egg. The yolks are full of HDL cholesterol (the good kind), as well as important nutrients like choline and trace minerals (not found in the egg white). Add avocados to any egg dish for a breakfast match made in weight loss heaven; researchers have found that eating avocados with breakfast increases metabolism and aids in weight loss.
Try these:
- Three-Egg Omelet With Quinoa, The Kitchn
- Scrambled Eggs With Black Truffle Oil and Avocado, Organic Authority
- Baked Eggs, 101 Cookbooks
Whole Grains
It’s no news that whole grains aid in weight loss—they make you feel full quicker and for longer periods of time. If you’re a nut for breakfast breads like scones, cereal, muffins, or croissants, get your carb fix with a more waistline-friendly choice. Here are our top picks for whole grain breakfasts beyond wheat toast.
Try these:
- Quinoa for Breakfast (a guide), The Kitchn
- Cardamom Oatmeal Pancakes, The Kitchn
- Gluten-Free Superfood Granola, Organic Authority
Image: Zemlinki!
