If you’re like me, you grew up eating fruit with breakfast and veggies with lunch and dinner. But why is this? For some reason we associate sweet with breakfast. However, sometimes you want more than OJ and a cinnamon roll. We often eat “breakfast for dinner,” so why not try “dinner for breakfast”? Here are some ideas for how to jump start your day with veggies:
- Go Gourmet with Omelets! Shredded carrots, chopped peppers and onions, and even sliced tomatoes go great with eggs. Spinach and Asparagus are great in a cheesy omelet too.
- If you’re not good at flipping omelets, try adding the same veggies to a Baked Egg Casserole.
- For a Southwestern flair, top a Breakfast Burrito with Salsa and Sour cream or Greek Yogurt. (Note: Salsa counts in your veggie intake, since it’s almost all veggie!)
- Try a Sweet Potato Pancake. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and honey, or you can use whipped cream and syrup if you’re more traditional.
- Hashbrowns with Cheese, Sautéed Onions, Peppers, and Mushrooms are fun. Top with an egg for some added protein.
- How about Zucchini Bread or Carrot Muffins? You can mix and match with these too. Find your favorite zucchini bread recipe and substitute carrot for all or part of the amount called for.
- Top your oatmeal with some Pumpkin Puree, Honey, and Cinnamon!
- Explore other cultures.
- When I travelled in Eastern Europe one summer, we often had open sandwiches for breakfast, which included various deli meats, cheeses and vegetables. My favorite was the cucumber, dill, and cream cheese on toast combo. Other veggies work well too. Try some Neufchatel and chopped veggies on a whole grain toast (think veggie pizza: carrots, broccoli, tomato, peppers, etc.).
- A traditional Persian breakfast is warmed pita with butter, feta cheese, mint, and sliced radishes. It sounds strange, but it’s oddly refreshing.
- Italian leftovers are quick and fun (and tomato sauce counts as a vegetable too)!
- In Egypt, whole wheat pitas with falafel (made with fava beans), pickled vegetables, boiled eggs and cheeses are popular.
- In Japan, a typical breakfast would include miso soup, rice porridge, fish, and pickled vegetables.
- When all else fails, make a smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to sneak vegetables in to the beginning of your day. A handful of spinach or kale, a cup of carrot juice, or even some sliced beets. Carrots and beets are naturally sweeter vegetables and blend nicely with berries. Leafy greens hide well too and give it a fun green color that kids like.
Whatever you do and however you add veggies to your meals, be creative, have fun, and enjoy! Don’t be afraid to try a strange combination; you never know what might be the next big food craze!