Rate my/your breakfast please!

the keen edge

I'am new to this particular forum, but I've found some very interested threads and great replies to posters questions amongst the Nutrition and Diet forum.

I try to lead a healthy lifestyle, and I am always looking for pointers to follow a healthier lifestyle, and so with this in mind I'd love to hear what the contributors to this forum think about my diet, and in particular my breakfast routine.

I'am a great believer in the old maxim; Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like prince and dinner like a pauper, and so I feel getting in a good nutritious breakfast in the morning, is a cornerstone of a long, happy and healthy lifestyle.

Each morning, after I wake, I go for a swim in the sea. I only eat my breakfast after I return back home from my swim and breakfast usually consists of a bowl of microwaved porridge made with water and sprinkled with flax seed. In addition to this I have a couple of slices of whole grain toast with butter and jam. And a cup of tea of course.

So what do you have for breakfast?

How would you rate my breakfast? Should I eat whole meal bread instead of whole grain? Should I include more protein in my breakfast?

silverharp

this morning I had an omlette 2 eggs , mushrooms, peppers and onion and a nice big cup of fresh coffee. At the weekend I might have porridge or/and a homemade breakfast smoothie depending on what activities I am doing.

it depends I guess if you are at a stable weight and what happens between breakfast and lunch? the above stops me snacking until lunch during the week.

Bill2673

keen edge......don't know how healthy it is but its almost exactly the same as what i have.....

only difference woul be that i have banana and another piece of fruit e.g. plum/ grapes/ peach/ blueberries mashed into the porridge.

also, I never microwave.....don;t know why, never liked them.

I always put porridge oats and boiling water into a pot before going to bed so that it is cooked when I wake up, more or less, and just needs to be heated up. I believe it cooks the oats more thoroughly.

Dotcomdolly

This morning I am having
half pot of 0% Greek yogurt
mix in a tsp of Udo's oil, squeeze of lemon, drop of Manuka honey
Add a chopped banana & a spoon of milled linseed mix (Aldi)

Very tasty & surprisingly filling.

Mellor

the keen edge wrote: »

consists of a bowl of microwaved porridge made with water and sprinkled with flax seed. In addition to this I have a couple of slices of whole grain toast with butter and jam. And a cup of tea of course.

Whole grain bread is better than white, but its still not great. And even worse, some brands contain a lot of white flour in them, so are pretty much just coloured white.

Swap for eggs with porridge, sorts out your protein hit at brekkie

Gaz

Four eggs scrambled and 3 slices of bacon

the keen edge

Bill2673 wrote: »

keen edge......don't know how healthy it is but its almost exactly the same as what i have.....

only difference woul be that i have banana and another piece of fruit e.g. plum/ grapes/ peach/ blueberries mashed into the porridge.

also, I never microwave.....don;t know why, never liked them.

I always put porridge oats and boiling water into a pot before going to bed so that it is cooked when I wake up, more or less, and just needs to be heated up. I believe it cooks the oats more thoroughly.

Great idea for cooking the porridge over night, I'am not sure about the banana though I heard dark coloured fruits go better with porridge; blueberries, cherries etc, maybe someone else can throw some light on the matter.

Mellor wrote: »

Whole grain bread is better than white, but its still not great. And even worse, some brands contain a lot of white flour in them, so are pretty much just coloured white.

Swap for eggs with porridge, sorts out your protein hit at brekkie

Ah I'am sucked in by the marketing! The bread that I use is Irish Pride 'Healthy Grain':o
What brand of bread, would be in yours, or other peoples opinion, be a better choice, that would be available in a half pan size.

Wonkagirl

Bill2673 wrote: »

also, I never microwave.....don;t know why, never liked them.

I'm the same- might only use mine once a month- something that cooks that quickly CANNOT be good..

anyway, back to OT.

SOunds good to me, but you shoudl mix it up more.
Try eggs, 2 of the days.
Try Granola (Lizi's is a great, low GL brand) another day.

As others have said, that bread you are eating is a real wolf in sheeps clothing. A good rule of thumb is that if it's ''squishy'' in the loaf, it's a bad sign. That one that you're buying is REALLY squishy! The 'Lifeforce' spelt breads are great.

You should get more protein alright.. but to be fair, it's a pretty healthy breakfast, could be a lot worse!

And the swim- fair play to you!

harr

mine is a bowl of jumbo oats made with half water and half skimed milk with some honey on top and then a banana or apple around 11.30 or so.i only started eating proper brekfast about 4 weeks ago:o

RobAMerc

2 egg microwave omlette with feta and ham.

bowl of porridge with sprinkling of mixed seeds and a devilish drop of golden syrup - whole milk today as I was sharing it with my son.

americano with a good splash of milk.

the keen edge

Wonkagirl wrote: »

I'm the same- might only use mine once a month- something that cooks that quickly CANNOT be good..

anyway, back to OT.

SOunds good to me, but you shoudl mix it up more.
Try eggs, 2 of the days.
Try Granola (Lizi's is a great, low GL brand) another day.

As others have said, that bread you are eating is a real wolf in sheeps clothing. A good rule of thumb is that if it's ''squishy'' in the loaf, it's a bad sign. That one that you're buying is REALLY squishy! The 'Lifeforce' spelt breads are great.

You should get more protein alright.. but to be fair, it's a pretty healthy breakfast, could be a lot worse!

And the swim- fair play to you!

I don't find eating the same thing every morning boring, but your right, variety is the spice of life and so I'll mix it up a little each morning.

Can that Lizi's Granola be bought in the major supermarkets?

And how about that spelt bread, does it stay fresh for long? I prefer to only to eat a couple of slices of bread each day, as I find it bloating. And as such one of the main reasons that I purchase bread made by the major bakeries, is the fact that you can get their bread in half pan size.

As for the early morning swim, well all I can say is if there is anyway possible you can get to the sea or a lake/river(where it is safe to swim in) in the morning, GO FOR IT.
You'll leave the water feeling exhilarated, at one with the earth and with a large smile on your face.

Wonkagirl

the keen edge wrote: »

I
Can that Lizi's Granola be bought in the major supermarkets?

And how about that spelt bread, does it stay fresh for long? I prefer to only to eat a couple of slices of bread each day, as I find it bloating.

If you find it bloating, that's not good. Try the spelt bread and see is there any improvement- there should be. The lifeforce brand (available widely) is a half pan (only)- it stays fresh for a couple of days, but not as long as the irish pride one i'd imagine- why not freeze a few slices? if you toast it, it's all the same.. Would really advise you to switch.

Lizis isnt that easy to get- altho it is available in dunnes apparently. not tescos though (i dont think!). i get mine in the health food store. it's full of good fats and is low GL. It's delicious- altho a bit 'more'ish:)

Bill2673

the keen edge wrote: »

Great idea for cooking the porridge over night, I'am not sure about the banana though I heard dark coloured fruits go better with porridge; blueberries, cherries etc, maybe someone else can throw some light on the matter.

If you mash banana and then mix it the porridge into it, rather than slicing the banana.....it really sweetens the porridge (but in a healthy way!!! :-)).

Wonkagirl

I use the frozen raspberries from lidl for that purpose bill... i'd tend to agree with keen edge that they'd (and other darak berries) be better than bananas. lower on the GL scale, and much less calories. also (TMI alert!) but i find bananas constipate me. There's nothing than upsets me more than being constipated!

Ciaran500

Wonkagirl wrote: »

something that cooks that quickly CANNOT be good..

There is absolutely nothing wrong with cooking or heating most things in a microwave.

RobAMerc

Bill2673 wrote: »

If you mash banana and then mix it the porridge into it, rather than slicing the banana.....it really sweetens the porridge (but in a healthy way!!! :-)).

+1 - the longer you leave the banana infuse into the porridge the better also - as the banana heats it will let off the flavours

Wonkagirl

Ciaran500 wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with cooking or heating most things in a microwave.

Well I've never been a fan. There have been numerous studies over the past suggesting Microwaving is dangerous.. attaching just one snippet below.. if nothign else, i prefer it cooked the auld fashioned way anyway personally!

http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Two researchers, Blanc and Hertel, confirmed that microwave cooking significantly changes food nutrients. Hertel previously worked as a food scientist for several years with one of the major Swiss food companies. He was fired from his job for questioning procedures in processing food because they denatured it. He got together with Blanc of the Swiss Federal Institute of Biochemistry and the University Institute for Biochemistry. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They studied the effect that microwaved food had on eight individuals, by taking blood samples immediately after eating. They found that after eating microwaved food, haemoglobin levels decreased. "These results show anaemic tendencies. The situation became even more pronounced during the second month of the study".[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Who knows what results they would have found if they had studied people who ate microwaved food for a year or more?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The violent change that microwaving causes to the food molecules forms new life forms called radiolytic compounds. These are mutations that are unknown in the natural world. Ordinary cooking also causes the formation of some radiolytic compounds (which is no doubt one reason why it is better to eat plenty of raw food), but microwaving cooking causes a much greater number. This then causes deterioration in your blood and immune system. [/FONT]

Bill2673

Wonkagirl wrote: »

I use the frozen raspberries from lidl for that purpose bill... i'd tend to agree with keen edge that they'd (and other darak berries) be better than bananas. lower on the GL scale, and much less calories. also (TMI alert!) but i find bananas constipate me. There's nothing than upsets me more than being constipated!

whatever about constipation, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if bananas are high in calories......should it? its a fruit ffs.

And I wouldn't have thought a banana would give you constipation if your overall diet was balanced.....?

Magic Eight Ball

Bill2673 wrote: »

it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if bananas are high in calories......should it? its a fruit ffs.

Unfortunately things are never that simple.

Bill2673

Magic Eight Ball wrote: »

Unfortunately things are never that simple.

Please go on/ explain.....?

rocky

4 fried eggs
200g cottage cheese
1 tomato
1 regular slice bread (not white, but don't care anyway)

calories: 551
fat: 25.4 (42%)
carbs: 28.9 (21%)
protein: 50.8 (37%)

And I'm not even trying to eat low carb.

Wonkagirl

Bill2673 wrote: »

And I wouldn't have thought a banana would give you constipation if your overall diet was balanced.....?

well, (apologies in advance for the tmi) but when i have porridge with berries and a coffee, i go about 10 mins later.. i then noticed that when i had it with bananas and honey, i didnt.. and ended up a bit bloated for the day. bananas, according to my nutritionist friend, are 'binding'- meaning they bind food together and can make it difficult to pass..

Everybody's body is different! Bananas are high on the GL scale. I do eat a few a week still, especially prior to a long training session, but only then. They contain very fast releasing sugars so are perfect pre/post workout.

metamorphosis

tbh it just sounds like you are intolerant to bananas - its a pretty common thing. Yo0u might also find the same with avacado

Dotcomdolly

Anyone mum who has weaned a baby can tell you bananas are a constipation culprit
But I wouldn't have thought 1 a day in an adult should have the same effect...

Dotcomdolly

P.s I tried porridge recently with chopped prunes & lemon zest. Bit different but very tasty!

Doolee

OP, Fairplay to you with the swimming! IMO you can eat and enjoy your carby breakfast after that and probably wont do you any harm (depending on, as others have said, that your already fit and healthy etc)
I try for more of a protein based brekkie and have this nearly every single morning:
2 tbsp oats,
3 tpsp low fat Natural Yoguart,
Handful mixed berries (from frozen pack you get in Lidl)
maybe half scoop of whey protein to add a little sweetness and another bit of protein! Its not for everyone but suits me fine.

Eggs really are great too or even if you pub a bit of natural yoguart on the porridge you might get a little protein from that, or maybe a few nuts (walnuts esp are made for porridge - yum!) You could always try scrambled eggs with a bit of smoked salmon and a few mushrooms and tomatos and honestly you'll be well full for the day

the keen edge

Doolee wrote: »

I try for more of a protein based brekkie and have this nearly every single morning:
2 tbsp oats,
3 tpsp low fat Natural Yoguart,
Handful mixed berries (from frozen pack you get in Lidl)
maybe half scoop of whey protein to add a little sweetness and another bit of protein! Its not for everyone but suits me fine.

Sounds good!

Do you cook the oats separately first and then add the other ingredients, or do you blend that whole mix cold in a smoothie maker?

dxhound2005

Wonkagirl wrote: »

Well I've never been a fan. There have been numerous studies over the past suggesting Microwaving is dangerous.. attaching just one snippet below.. if nothign else, i prefer it cooked the auld fashioned way anyway personally!

http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Two researchers, Blanc and Hertel, confirmed that microwave cooking significantly changes food nutrients. Hertel previously worked as a food scientist for several years with one of the major Swiss food companies. He was fired from his job for questioning procedures in processing food because they denatured it. He got together with Blanc of the Swiss Federal Institute of Biochemistry and the University Institute for Biochemistry. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They studied the effect that microwaved food had on eight individuals, by taking blood samples immediately after eating. They found that after eating microwaved food, haemoglobin levels decreased. "These results show anaemic tendencies. The situation became even more pronounced during the second month of the study".[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Who knows what results they would have found if they had studied people who ate microwaved food for a year or more?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The violent change that microwaving causes to the food molecules forms new life forms called radiolytic compounds. These are mutations that are unknown in the natural world. Ordinary cooking also causes the formation of some radiolytic compounds (which is no doubt one reason why it is better to eat plenty of raw food), but microwaving cooking causes a much greater number. This then causes deterioration in your blood and immune system. [/FONT]

Give us a few more of the numerous studies. That one was conducted with only 8 people one of whom was the researcher and I can't find any evidence that it was replicated anywhere else. Here is an opposite view, Hertel is mentioned in Claim #9.

http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/Microwave.htm

Mellor

A heating food and nutrients denatures them, this isn't only in microwaves.
A much larger study cooked various foods to measure which methods preserved the quality of the foods nutrients.

No prizes for guessing that steaming came out on top, followed my microwaving.
Boiling, frying, roasting all cause moe nutrients to be lost.

rubadub

Mellor wrote: »

A heating food and nutrients denatures them, this isn't only in microwaves.

Yes, I love reading those sensationalist studies which give no figures. I have never once seen them mention actual cooking times. I bet I could have a study trying to ban frying pans, if you fry an egg it "destroys all nutrients", I will just neglect to say I fried it on full heat for an hour until it was reduced to carbon and burnt off all the nonstick coating which might transform it into cancer agents.

They also use the old "we all know", emperors new clothes tactic of faulty logic.

We know that cells explode in the microwave - just fry an egg in your microwave. We are made up of trillions of cells. So work out how many are getting damaged if you stand in front of your microwave for 5-10 minutes.

If I put an egg in a regular oven it explodes, better not stand in front of it either.

There was a lawsuit in 1991 in Oklahoma. A woman named Norma Levitt had hip surgery, but was killed by a simple blood transfusion when a nurse "warmed the blood for the transfusion in a microwave oven!"

I can't find any actual news report on this, just sites keep saying there was a well publicised lawsuit, which is seemingly not very well publicised at all. I believe it could have happened, but again there are no figures did she put it in for 20mins and cool it down after?

Back on topic I am eating fried mince beef or chicken and nuts these days, I never really saw the need for breakfast to be any different from other meals.

metamorphosis

Yeah that study was a little ridiculous umho (not meaning to sound prickish). It made me laugh.

You could come up with silly articles like that on the web for every method of cooking.

rubadub

There was a lawsuit in 1991 in Oklahoma. A woman named Norma Levitt had hip surgery, but was killed by a simple blood transfusion when a nurse "warmed the blood for the transfusion in a microwave oven!"

The person did actually die, but from a blood clot, and there was a trial

http://wyomcases.courts.state.wy.us/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?citeID=4387

Conclusion

51 We affirm the award of sanctions in the amount of $12,500 each to defendants Hillcrest Healthcare Corporation, Hillcrest Medical Center Foundation, Hillcrest Real Estate, Inc., Hillcrest Service Company, Jerry L. Puls, M.D., Douglas Hubner, M.D., Jerry L. Puls, M.D., Inc., and South Utica Pathology Laboratories, Inc. We vacate the award of sanctions to the defendant Drs. Jones, Breipohl, Anthony, Spohr, Singletary, Voss, Wiesemeyer, and Brothers.

i.e. they did not find the microwaved blood to have caused the death and had to pay off the guys they accused.

Doolee

the keen edge wrote: »

Do you cook the oats separately first and then add the other ingredients, or do you blend that whole mix cold in a smoothie maker?

Nope, I just chuck each bit into a little bowl and munch away...no need to cook the oats at all. If you like, you could make it the night before and the oats soften and are easier to digest but i just make it in the morning.
Give it a try!

eilo1

strawberries and raspberries with low fat natural yoghurt, covered with 2 small handfuls of kelkin granola mix, a sprinkle of flax seed and some pumpkin seeds
nom nom nom nom nom nommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

jam_mac_jam

Blueberries, rasberries, strawberries. blackberries and natural yogurt and a coffee.

Dotcomdolly

New one today - 2 spoons oats, 1 spoon ground flaxseed, mix, cover with portion of frozen summer fruit, microwave for 2 mins. stir it up & serve with a dollop of natural yog & some chopped nuts.

phelixoflaherty

Porridge, Coffee Cigarette 10/10..

jam_mac_jam

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

New one today - 2 spoons oats, 1 spoon ground flaxseed, mix, cover with portion of frozen summer fruit, microwave for 2 mins. stir it up & serve with a dollop of natural yog & some chopped nuts.

oh that sounds lovely, I must try .

LiNgWiStIkZ

Bowl of porridge with low fat milk - added some natural honey and had an orange

eilo1

SAUSAGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(:o oops it was just one will slip up!)