Today I'm going to review the advantages of having a salad for breakfast and also share some delicious recipes to inspire your morning culinary adventures.
Yes, you read that right - a salad for breakfast!
While it seems unconventional it's actually really nice and is an idea that's even backed by Harvard Health as being very beneficial. Incorporating salad into your morning routine can provide numerous health benefits and set you up for a productive and energetic day.
My First Breakfast Salad
Now I didn't come up with this idea all by myself, I was actually away for a long weekend with my husband a few years ago and we went to a cute cafe for breakfast. I'm sure you can guess what happened, they had a menu item called a Breakfast Salad.
I had never considered salad for breakfast, but decided to give it a go and surprisingly (to me) my husband decided to try it as well. A little side note here, my husband is usually a bacon, sausage, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns and toast kinda guy when we're out for breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed this breakfast salad, but my husband not only enjoyed it but continued to rave about it for weeks afterward!
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Photo by Lou16, design elements from Canva |
So what was in this breakfast salad? It included mixed salad leaves, roasted tomatoes, a basic French vinaigrette and was topped with a couple of poached eggs and served with sourdough toast. It really was very basic, but the yolk from the poached eggs mingled with the vinaigrette and salad leaves really well and the whole meal was amazing.
I have tried to recreate this at home a couple of times, but when I do I usually cook the poached eggs so that the yolk is a little firmer and you don't get as much yolk running through the salad which is why the last couple of times I tried I switched to a couple of fried eggs and these worked really well (although they didn't feel quite so healthy!).
Why Should You Try a Breakfast Salad?
I actually googled a breakfast salad as I was curious to see if it was something other people actually ate and it appears that there are a number of different recipes out there and the benefits certainly support this as a great breakfast idea.
Check out these benefits:
Increased nutrient intake: Breakfast salads are a fantastic way to kick-start your day with a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can pack them full of fresh vegetables, fruits and other ingredients such as eggs, nuts and seeds that all help to support your overall well-being.
Enhanced digestion: Fiber-rich vegetables and fruits found in various breakfast salads can promote healthy digestion, prevent constipation and keep you feeling full for longer. Incorporating fiber into your morning meal helps maintain a healthy gut and supports optimal digestive function.
Sustainable energy levels: Unlike sugary cereals or pastries, breakfast salads offer a steady release of energy throughout the morning. A combination of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing energy crashes and mid-morning cravings.
Boosted brainpower: Research suggests that a well-balanced breakfast positively impacts cognitive function, memory and attention span. Breakfast salads, right in brain-boosting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and B vitamins, can help you stay focused and alert throughout the day.
Breakfast Salad Recipes
Avocado and Egg Salad
Ingredients: Mixed greens, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bacon bits, lemon juice.
Arrange the mixed greens on a plate. Top with sliced avocado, halved hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion and bacon bits. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad and enjoy.
Berry Spinach Salad
This is a salad that I have tried a few times and I have found it listed on Pinterest as a breakfast salad, I've only had it as a lunch/dinner salad and I've added mackerel to it as I'm not sure that it contains enough protein for a meal on its own, especially breakfast.
Ingredients: Fresh baby spinach, mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries - side note I've also had this with just strawberries), sliced almonds, crumbled feta cheese, balsamic vinaigrette.
Toss the spinach, berries, almonds and feta chees together in a bowl. Drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy.
What About a Warm Salad?
I have also had a warm salad for breakfast (this is also a great Sunday night dinner when you need something quick and simple)
Ingredients: Crushed garlic, mixed salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, and eggs. Optional ingredients include roasted sweet potato, spring onions, and capsicum.
Add a clove of garlic (crushed) into a pan with some olive oil and let it heat up. When you can smell the garlic it's time to throw in the mixed salad leaves and let them wilt down, stirring. Once they have started to wilt throw the tomatoes and any other ingredients in to heat through, pop a lid on and take off the heat.
Now cook your eggs, either poached or fried are great, when the eggs are ready transfer the salad to your plate and top with the eggs.
Will You Be Eating Salad for Breakfast?
So what do you think, will you try salad for your breakfast? Experiment with different fresh ingredients and let us know how you find it.
If you're interested in getting and/or staying healthy why not join our Facebook Group - Healthy Tips to Feel & Look Your Best.
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