Kefir Kommunity

Any kindergartner will tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately many busy people opt to skip this essential meal. Nutrition experts agree, however, that people who skip breakfast are more likely to have problems with metabolism, concentration and weight control.


 

Here are 5 ideas for quick-and-healthy breakfasts that won’t make your mouth sad.
 

Oatmeal is high in fiber and low in fat so it keeps you feeling full while offering up heart smart carbs to keep your energy up all morning. But beware – not all oatmeal is created equal! Lots of instant and fast food versions have added sugars and preservatives.
 

Try preparing steel-cut oats in a slow cooker over night or in a rice cooker while you shower and get dressed. Alternatively, look for instant oatmeal in “original” or “regular” flavor – it should have about 100 calories per serving and you should be able to pronounce everything on the ingredients list. Add a touch of natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey, a dash of cinnamon or cardamom, and your favorite chopped nuts for a protein boost.
 

Bagels get a bad rap for being high calorie and high carb, but there are ways to enjoy a toasty treat without breaking any healthy habits. If you’re a die-hard bagel fan, switch from plain to whole wheat to make your morning bagel more nutritionally beneficial. If you’re open to change, try a whole wheat English muffin, which contains less than half the calories of its bagel counterpart.
 

In place of cream cheese, try topping your bagel or English muffin with protein-packed hummus with some spinach and tomato, or almond butter with sliced bananas. Or, try a schmear of Farmer Cheese – it’s low in fat, cholesterol and calories and it comes in several varieties so you can avoid bagel boredom.
 

Well you had to know that was coming! Our own personal bias aside, though, kefir is a smart way to start your day because it offers a boost of probiotics for digestive health and immunity. It’s also an excellent source of calcium and protein, and paired with your favorite granola or fresh fruit it will keep you going until lunchtime!

Lifeway Kefir is available in several flavors, and in whole milk, low-fat, non-fat and organic varieties, just to name a few.
 

Green smoothies are the Chuck Norris of breakfast drinks. Packed with nutrients, they roundhouse kick your system into action. If the idea of throwing a handful of kale into your banana berry smoothie doesn’t appeal to you, check out our Organic Green Kefir. With 10 green vegetables and green tea inside, it also contains 80mg of plant-based Polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may be effective in neutralizing free radicals while protecting the body and supporting the immune system. And like all Lifeway Kefir, Green Kefir is packed with 10 powerful probiotic cultures and loaded with vitamins, protein, calcium, and folic acid.

Drink it straight up, or if you like your smoothies a little sweeter, throw it in the blender with your favorite frozen fruit.
 

Whichever your preference, a quick egg or tofu scramble is a tasty way to get your protein first thing in the morning. Try tossing last night’s leftovers into the mix for extra nutrients and flavor. Ever had Brussels sprouts in your eggs? You haven’t lived until you have! Experiment with different spices and easy-to-prepare veggies and you can visit a different part of the globe every morning while you read the daily news.
 

Check out our breakfast recipes for even more ideas!
 

How do you incorporate Lifeway Kefir into your morning routine? Email your answers to info@lifeway.net - the first 25 people to respond will win coupons for free product! (Be sure to include your shipping address in case you win!) All coupons have been claimed. Thanks for participating!