Beginning each morning with a nourishing breakfast sets the tone for a healthy day, helping you stay motivated and energized. But keeping things fresh to reduce dietary boredom, which can lead to less healthy eating habits (we’re looking at you, drive-thru breakfast sandwiches), can seem overwhelming and complicated. To assist, we’ve brought together a super-crew of real-food, healthy living experts to share their go-to morning meal.
Clean Green Smoothie
Ashley Tomlinson is the creator of the website The Little Black Coffee Cup. It’s there you can find some of her work, along with good-for-you recipes, the majority being plant-based. In-between coffee, Ashley keeps things lean and green with nourishing, energizing foods, like this eye-catching, power-packed breakfast smoothie.
“One of my go-to healthy breakfasts is a Clean Green Smoothie topped with blueberries. Packed with fresh greens, protein and a little bit of caffeine, this green drink is one of my favourite ways to kick off a busy day.”
Morning Glory Bowl
Marie Reginato is the cookbook author of Alternative Vegan, and a popular food blogger. Marie creates recipes for readers of all diets and tastes using colourful produce and real food. Here, she’s sharing her Morning Glory Bowl, a vibrant breakfast dish from her cookbook.
“I can’t think of a more nourishing breakfast bowl than this one. Beautiful greens are sauteed until tender and sprinkled with creamy hemp seeds, avocado slices and fresh dill. It highlights the simplicity of flavour pairings between a few fresh herbs, spices and greens.”
Sweet Potato Waffle Breakfast Sandwich
The blogger behind Fit Mitten Kitchen, Ashley Walterhouse, knows her way around mouthwatering-meets-healthy meals. Her website and Instagram feed are bursting with modern and classic recipes, all with a real food twist. Here, Ashley shares her healthy breakfast of choice filled with produce and protein.
“My go-to breakfast is typically a savoury combination of eggs, sauteed kale, sweet potato and avocado. It’s satisfying and filling thanks to the healthy fats. You can have fun with it and make a Sweet Potato Waffle Breakfast Sandwich!”
Beet Raspberry Smoothie Bowl
There are few people more in love with a plant-forward lifestyle than Desiree Nielsen, a Registered Dietitian, cooking show host and cookbook author. Her gorgeous, healthy breakfast idea is perfect for those with kids and no time to spare in the morning.
“With two littles, I’ve got all of about five minutes to get something healthy in my belly. So I typically do overnight chia or oats, or a smoothie. Smoothies make it so easy to get quick protein and produce, my fave combination for energy. This Beet Raspberry Smoothie Bowl is a sweet-tart treat that really helps me feel like I’m getting a solid start to the day.”
Caribbean Plantain Pancakes
Josiane Marquis is best known for her bright and sunny, food-filled Instagram account. Josiane is based in Cost Rica, where local fruits feature prominently in the meals. Here, she shares her healthy breakfast, alive with all of that dreamy tropical produce, Caribbean Plantain Pancakes.
“This jungle-to-table breakfast will bring calor to any cold winter morning. Gluten-free and very tasty, they are made with only five ingredients: green plantain, baking soda, egg, coconut oil and sea salt. Serve them with tropical fruits like banana, passion fruit, golden berries or papaya. Then add toppings for texture: a drizzle of honey, pollen, oats, chopped almonds and raw cacao nibs. Pura vida!”
Chocolate Hazelnut Waffles
Vegan chef, restaurant owner and cookbook author Doug McNish crafts innovative, plant-focused, organic cuisine that all eaters, regardless of dietary preference, can’t resist. Doug’s food and recipes are approachable, fun and celebrated. He serves up elevated brunch and dinner items with a vegan spin at Mythology in Toronto, and when at home, enjoys a stack of gluten-free Chocolate Hazelnut Waffles, a recipe from his Vegan Everyday cookbook. See here for more satisfying vegan breakfasts.
Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Porridge
Mairlyn Smith, PHEc, star of the My Left Frying Pan YouTube channel, cookbook author and healthy living champion shares two healthy breakfast ideas, one for cold mornings and another for warm ones.
“On a cold morning: steel-cut oats with dried cranberries and chopped apple. After it’s cooked, I’ll add ground flaxseed, walnuts and a generous pour of a warm, unsweetened soy beverage or skim milk. That’s a whole lot of fibre, healthy fats and protein.”
“On a warm day: Greek yogurt, seasonal fresh or frozen berries, ground flaxseed, walnuts and it’s ready. Once again – fibre, healthy fats and protein.”
Kale & Egg Breakfast Skillet
Stephanie Kay is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist bringing healthy living inspiration to kitchens everywhere, with approachable recipes and a motivational Instagram feed chock-full of nourishing recipes. Here, she shares a beautiful way to enjoy veggies and protein in the morning, all in under 10 minutes.
“Eggs are my go-to healthy breakfast option because they’re filling and so easy to prepare. This Kale & Egg Breakfast Skillet is my favourite combination, but the recipe is so versatile you can essentially include any veggies you have in the fridge. Topped with fresh pesto and a sprinkle of goat cheese, this dish goes from fridge to plate in no time.”