Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Millennials

April 20, 2018

Source: Brooke Clark / Unsplash

Raise your hand if you don't have time for breakfast.

I know people who eat on the train, heat up oatmeal in the work kitchen or count coffee as "breakfast". These "people" used to be me. I didn't have time for breakfast. I was "too busy" to take time out to nourish my body with proper food.

My day would consist of coffee and a banana (because I was #busy), a salad for lunch and approximately 1, 879 calories for dinner. I worked as a kitchen hand, so it wasn't unusual to buy a punnet of chips as my "dinner" and have "second dinner" when my shift ended. I would be sore from standing on my feet all day and tired from studying so I would skip working out, opting for Netflix and chill instead. Needless to say, I was the epitome of health and wellness.

I was permanently tired, my skin was constantly breaking out, and I just felt 'blah' in myself. I wish I could say this was my wake-up call. That happened when I found out I was pregnant.

Suddenly, it wasn't about me anymore and my habits changed - starting with having a healthy breakfast whilst fitting in this "busy millennial" lifestyle.

How did I make it happen?

By using quick and nutritious breakfast recipes (if you can call it that).

Source: Brenda Godinez / Unsplash
01. Chia seed pudding
Do you only have fifteen minutes for breakfast? Good, because I have something that can be ready in ten. This was my ultimate 'go to' breakfast when I was under a serious time-crunch. Chia seeds have major health benefits which is an automatic tick in my book. I would dash into the kitchen and mix some chia seeds, milk, and cacao powder to create a deliciously chocolate-y pudding for breakfast. I would top it with fruit (usually banana, strawberries or raspberries) and go! Seriously. Choose a large (ish) container, mix in your fruit and go!

02. Smoothies
They're the hero of the breakfast world. Have a bunch of random stuff lying around? I'm 89% sure it'll be brilliant in smoothie-form! During summer, I become somewhat of a smoothie addict. I made them for myself. I made them for my son. I made them for my family. My 'go to' smoothie includes a banana, some strawberries, Greek yoghurt, spinach, chia seeds, vanilla paste, cinnamon and ginger, and some oats, just for good measure. It sounds like a lot, but it's just a matter of finding the ingredients and throwing it in! My son's smoothie consists of weetbix, almond flour, milk, a dash of yoghurt, zucchini, banana and some peanut butter or spices, depending on how I feel. Sounds delicious, right?

03. Overnight oats
I bet you saw this one coming from a mile away. I'm a bit of an oatmeal fanatic (especially in autumn and winter!) so that one was always going to make the list. Are you ready for this? It has six ingredients and is super simple! For my overnight oats, I mix oats, cacao, peanut butter, chia seeds, milk, and a dash of plain yoghurt. Pop it in the fridge as you go to bed and you'll wake up to a smooth, creamy, delicious and nutritious breakfast! I mean, have you seen these overnight oat recipes? *drools*

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Want to know the best thing about all of the brilliant breakfast ideas in this post? They're all portable! You have absolutely no excuse to skip breakfast. It doesn't have to be some calorie-laden junk fest or some super restrictive (and boring!) affair. That doesn't count as a breakfast. 

Your body needs proper nutrition and fuel to function. Coffee and bananas are great for a while, but that won't help you perform at your peak.

It's all about balance and what works for your body. We're not all made the same. Some people can handle a lot of carbohydrates (curse you!) whilst other bodies can metabolise fat better. It's all about being in tune with your body and giving it what it wants (in moderation and with healthy options). I'm all about the 80/20 life.  I developed a sweet tooth after having my son. Suddenly, I love chocolate, so I add some cacao to my breakfast and away I go! My sweet tooth is satisfied and my diet hasn't been obliterated before 9am. Win-win.

After all, a lifestyle change lasts much longer than a fad diet ever will. Believe me.

What's your breakfast 'go to'? What's your standard coffee order? Are you a brunch person or a happy hour person?

*I would just like to state that I'm obviously not a nutritionist, so I can't say that my breakfast choices are crowd-friendly or are 'diet fixes'. They're just my favourites and great options for people who are time-poor!

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3 comments

  1. When we have time, I make a big breakfast for my family, but generally we all grab a coffee or tea and head out. My husband is partial to bananas to get his energy for running in the morning. You suggestions sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Yes!!! I needed this in my life! I am not a morning person and I need a breakfast I can just take and go! Thanks for the post!

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  3. These look super yummy and doable. Thanks for sharing! Xx

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