ideas for not being so dependent on carbs for breakfast

[Hadtocomment]

Hello. I am not doing a low-carb diet and I don't want to go down any route like that but I thought you might be the people to ask some advice from as I feel my diet is tending more towards carbs these days and it's partly to do with my lack of imagination.

My particular problem is breakfast. Porridge or cereal or toast - the usual breakfasts are all very carby aren't they? I thought good whole oat porridge would keep me full. But I don't find it does particularly which is surprising and disappointing. I do find shredded wheat a bit better - I have that with plant milk which is quite high protein so I don't know if it's that that keeps me fuller. But sometimes I get a bit bored of it and would like a few different options. Also I often find I'm then craving more cereal or bread later in the morning - which is annoying.

Lunch is bready and spready or homousy with salad or whatever. So basically it's the easiness and lack of imagination making bread the fall-back or go-to for too many meals, and I'd like to change this and vary things more.

But I'm a bit at a loss as to different sorts of low-carb breakfasts. One of the reasons is that I'm mostly veggie and I also don't want to eat too much dairy (although I love it) as I get sad about how it's produced etc. But this leaves me with a bit of a blank about what to replace things with that aren't too processed or carby. There's only so much tofu you can eat and it's not really very breakfasty! I do eat nuts and also a lot of beans and lentils, veg stews etc. But more for main evening meal.

I used to eat quite a lot of free-range eggs which might be a breakfast option. But after a bout of stomach bug I went totally off them although I know they are good for protein. I do eat fish but - again - fish breakfast? Hmm.

Any advice for things I might not have thought of that might give me more protein for breakfast and keep me fuller longer? Am I being really unimaginative? Anywhere I can go for some ideas?

Any help and advice appreciated. Thank you

Definitely yoghurt with berries. You can buy them frozen, zap them in the microwave then add the yoghurt on top. If you prefer to avoid dairy, there are some vegan yoghurts notably Coconut Collab or Alpro.

You could stir in some protein powder as well.

Can be made ahead like overnight oats. I need minimal prep in the mornings.

Not a traditional one, but you can't beat leftover curry for breakfast. I make enough the night before for a small breakfast bowl.

Chia pudding. I make a portion as 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds with 150 ml soya milk. Stir well with a fork, leave and stir well again in 10 mins, leave overnight in the fridge. Add sweetener/nuts/fruit/cream/whatever you fancy like you would overnight oats. It's really filling, high in omega 3, and very low in net carbs. (But it looks a bit like frogspawn! 🤣)

@Hadtocomment the fat gives the fullness and satisfaction. Protein is also good. Carbs literally make you hungrier- initial satisfaction followed by raging hunger later.

Re the bulletproof coffee, I'm a black coffee person generally speaking.

Whisking butter in gives a similar feeling as salted caramel- a savoury flavour added to the richness of the coffee.

The cream/coconut cream makes it like a latte/cappuccino. It's a different drink, like a coffee bar fully loaded coffee rather than my usual neat!

I was very suspicious, but actually like it on occasion now.

It's a great stop gap if you've not planned and can't find anything suitable when you are out. An ikea coffee with a pat of butter has saved me from falling for meatballs and chips!

I sometimes make my own granola - it's quite easy to do and means you can add more nuts/seeds to fewer oats - or play with how sweet you like it. Dried berries are very good in it too! Definitely helps see me through to lunch. A batch will usually last me a week or so.

I'm also doing the smoothie thing.

I have these Tupperware bowls and portion out some frozen mixed berries, half a chopped banana, a drizzle of honey and a tablespoon of oatmeal. I keep them in the freezer, then just add milk and use the blender on them. They taste pretty good and I find them filling and nutritious.

Thank you for the thread! I also need suggestions! Sliced apple with peanut butter is lovely

Another idea is grilled veg. In Greece they'd put out breakfast each day which included grilled courgette strips, aubergine and/or peppers. Sprinkled with herbs, olive oil and fetta. I would think any, salty, veggie alternative cheese would be similar.

My family is from the middle east and we often eat a turkish or greek style breakfast which is usually a sort of platter of:
Diced Cucumber, tomato, red onions salad
Boiled egg, halved
Grilled haloumi or some feta
Kalamata olives
Tahini sauce
Half an avocado
Sprinkling of of a spice mix like dukkah/zataar over everything

We also love shakshuka for breakfast, witha low carb wrap for scooping /mopping. You can make a big batch of the base stew and then reheat in the mornings with an egg poached within it.

Really satisfying and healthy start to the day

Almond flour pancakes with berries is v nice. You can also top it with yoghurt, cream or Philadelphia.

Faced with a similar situation I’ve found that the best solution Is to skip breakfast (just have coffee or tea and a big glass of water) and focus on a generous, healthy, low carb lunch - usually salad, protein & veg, piece of cheese. Then a similar evening meal, then nothing until 12:00 the next day apart from tea / coffee/ water. it’s basically 16:8, low ish carb version. It’s such a relief not having to think about breakfast / create washing up etc in the morning, makes it much easier to get out of the door.

I realise my requirements sound a bit limited

Not as limited as mine! I would like to try low(er) carb, but I have various food intolerances (histamine and oxalate) and don't eat red meat, can't tolerate fatty food and need to avoid gluten. I am reading through the suggestions on this thread, though, for ideas! I really need to lose the flab round my middle!