Rethinking Healthy Breakfast
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that eating breakfast is an essential start to the day and one that will help you with your weight loss efforts. Eating a healthy breakfast gets your metabolism going early and sets you up to make better decisions throughout the day. I know for myself, if I skip breakfast, I am ravenous by lunch time and usually eat whatever (and however much!) I can get my hands on first.
Before I lost weight, all meals were very compartmentalized in my head. Breakfast was the time for pancakes, French toast, omelets, bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, or 3+ servings of cereal with milk. Lunch was almost always a cheese-laden sandwich with greasy fries or chips, or else a trip to the Chinese buffet loaded with whatever I could fit in the take-out container. Dinner was always the most up in the air, but usually pizza, chicken wings, nachos, bar food, or some other heavy dish.
Once I started to lose weight, I also loosened up a bit on the whole idea of foods being limited to a particular time of day. I realized that it was okay to have things that were characterized as traditionally breakfast, lunch, or dinner foods whenever I was craving them, and that listening to my body in this way helped me feel more satisfied.
And so I am here to make a case for healthy breakfast for dinner.
Breakfast foods tend to be super easy, quick, and delicious dinner options. After a long day’s work, a lot of times I get home and want to eat something FAST. While a frozen meal could do just that, I find breakfast foods take a lot less time to whip up and are much more satisfying! A recent favorite of mine has been soft boiled eggs, which I literally have for dinner at least once a week, but usually more.
To get the perfect soft-boiled egg, here’s what you do.
1.) Bring a pot of water to boil.
2.) Carefully add in eggs (in the shell), reduce the heat to medium low, and cover.
3.) Set your timer for 5 minutes, and toast your bread of choice while the eggs are cooking.
4.) Once the timer goes off, take the pot off the heat, and run under cool water.
5.) Peel the eggs carefully, starting at the tip so that they don’t break.
The result?
Perfectly cooked whites with a gooey runny yolk. Yum.
If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, try my Stuffed French Toast, featuring Erewhon Corn Flakes.
Yum!
For even more ideas, check out my Whole Foods Weight Watcher: Breakfast Ideas post!
Do you ever do breakfast for dinner? What’s your favorite thing to have?
Be well!
Beth
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Jul 29, 2012 @ 15:32:00
I find it’s easy to make scrambled eggs with LOTS of vegetables that can tame the hungry monster for dinner. I’ve resorted to using frozen bell pepper strips and frozen spinach when I’m in a real hurry…..I can’t wait to try your soft-boiled egg method.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:17:00
I have learned to LOVE frozen veggies. They are so convenient and last so long so I never have to worry about them going bad!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 05:22:00
I often have breakfast for dinner, usually an omelette or french toast, because they are so easy to make.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:18:00
I haven’t actually made french toast in a while, but this post makes me want to do it again soon – maybe tonight!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 07:00:00
I have certainly learned to switch my foods up for meals. I do usually like to keep my carbs at dinner somewhat limited though. I feel better that way.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:19:00
Your comment speaks to a very important point – you know your body best and what works for you! I try to have one carby thing at each meal – usually an english muffin, fruit, crackers, a baked potato, etc – but I don’t notice a difference for me with when during the day I eat them.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 07:31:00
my kids love breakfast for dinner… and the best thing is that “indulgent” breakfast foods aren’t actually that many points for dinner!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:15:00
That’s a great point. I usually save more Points/Calories for dinner, and you can definitely have more indulgent things if you’re thinking in terms of breakfast foods!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 09:59:00
Love the idea of rethinking breakfast! Thanks for the ideas.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:15:00
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 10:44:00
I love making scrambled eggs and a salad for a quick, nutritious dinner. I believe I read in “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” that eggs for dinner should go on the list of quick dinners for time-crunched evenings. I love the saying, “Pick go-to meals, not to-go meals!”
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:15:00
I love that saying, too! I never heard it before just now, but that’s a good one!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:19:00
I love the tips for soft boiled eggs! You always have the best ideas and show them in ways that are so easy to recreate. Thanks Beth!! You’re such an inspiration
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:21:00
Aww thanks Leah! I seriously have been having soft boiled eggs for dinner at least once a week (usually twice) since discovering the perfect way to make them a few months ago!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:25:00
ooh love the egg idea! I’ve never made soft boiled eggs but they look yummy!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:39:00
They are delish! Let me know if you try them!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:33:00
I like to make a crustless quiche that I learned in France for dinner (in France that’s a normal dinner, but probably not here in the US). The recipe is simple and it is delicious: 1/2 L of milk, 100 g of flour, 100 g of cheese, can of tuna (or whatever other protein or veggie you want), and 4 eggs, salt and pepper. Mix everything together and bake in a non-stick quiche pan (a pie pan will work too) for 30 minutes at 465F.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:38:00
Ohh that sounds delicious. I love the idea of adding in flour to the quiche even though its crustless. I bet you could use chickpea flour or another gluten free flour for those trying to stay GF. Thanks for sharing!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 16:22:00
Love turkey bacon and French toast. Might have to make one of these eggs as a post gym snack!
Jul 31, 2012 @ 07:38:00
I haven’t had turkey bacon in soooo long. Maybe I’ll pick some up at the store today!
Jul 31, 2012 @ 08:27:00
Breakfast for dinner, absolutely! Scrabbled eggs, bacon, hash browns ad toast.
PS loved your receipt for the soft boiled egg!
Nina
Jul 31, 2012 @ 09:08:00
I haven’t had hash browns in ages either – YUM! Some of the kinds they sell already shredded are actually not bad for you at all, either!
Jul 31, 2012 @ 10:11:00
Breakfast for dinner (or “brinner,” as my husband fondly calls it) is a favorite around here. I usually start with Aunt Jemima’s pancake mix and throw in whatever I have on hand–nonfat yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, fruit, nuts, and a dash of cinnamon or vanilla extract. Sometimes I add oatmeal to bulk it up a bit, or tons of fresh fruit in the summer. Scramble up some eggs if we want/need extra protein, and dinner is served!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 07:14:00
That seriously sounds so good! I never keep pancake mix on hand but after reading this comment, I think I should start!
Aug 06, 2012 @ 18:37:00
Great way to do soft-boiled eggs; I usually do a 3.5 boil as my mom did. I’ve learned to eat dinner at breakfast..usually baked fish – about 3 or 4 ounces, with a tossed salad. Then maybe a hard boiled egg at 10am. I make it a point to eat breakfast, knowing that I will not be famished at lunch time and will have an additional salad with good choices of vegetables.