I’m normally a grab-a-smoothie/protein shake/banana-on-the-way-out-the-door type gal, but pregnancy has made me so hungry that breakfast is back on my plate. My first meal tends to set the tone for the rest of the day, but I don’t have a ton of time to make anything amazing. I’ve come to rely on a few staples that are fast, healthy, plant-based and a good carb/protein/fat/calorie balance to keep me happy and satisfied.
The Easiest – Healthy Cereal, Bananas and Almond/Coconut Milk
A lot of days I just have to get out the door, so my go-to is a healthy cereal like Mom’s Best Cereals (I love the Sweetened WheatFuls) or Nature’s Bounty (my fave are the Heritage Flakes). I top them with a sliced banana and pour in almond or coconut milk. I love using almond milk because it has so much potassium (along with the banana) to help combat leg cramps. Plus, it’s good!
The Sweetest – Fuity Waffles
I’ve been craving waffles my entire pregnancy, so I went hunting for healthier options than a late-night food run. My favorites so far are Nature’s Path (dark chocolate, buckwheat or plain), which I pop in the toaster and top with whatever I have in the fridge. They’re great with strawberries and almond milk whipped cream and agave syrup, with almond butter and bananas, or leftover raspberries or blueberries.
The Yummiest – Coconut Yogurt Bowl with Lilikoi Butter
Ok, so this is one of those breakfasts I’d make with a little more time – like a Sunday morning or if I just woke up a little earlier than usual. This bowl isn’t too tough to make, but just takes a little more time to make, eat and clean up. Mine is just a scoop of coconut milk yogurt topped with coconut flakes, a little granola, a banana, and lilikoi butter (popular out here in Hawaii).
The Savory – Just EGG Omelette
On the rare days I want a savory breakfast, I’ve been loving making Just Egg vegan omelets with spinach and non-dairy mozzarella cheese. I also add a little garlic and cook in a little bit of plant-based butter, and pair with a mock sausage patty and avocado salsa. This is another Sunday morning/extra time breakfast, but it’s enjoyable and well worth it.
The Savory-Ish Waffle
Waffles have been a constant craving, so I also started eating a more savory version with avocado and banana. The avocado adds a deeper texture and is great with a little lemon juice and salt on top.
The On-The-Go: Jamba Juice
I rarely every buy breakfast, but in the rare cases I do, my favorite is Jamba. They’re everywhere, we can order ahead of time, and I have plenty of plant-based options, obviously. My favorite is the Blue Sky Bowl which is packed with spirulina and other goodness.
The On-The-Go: Banan ‘Ulu Waffle
Here on Oahu, we are graced with the fruity magical-ness that is Banan. I am beyond obsessed. From their farm-to-table-to-farm business model (meaning the store’s food waste is composted and sent back to the local farms they get their produce from) to their ever-changing menu, it’s my favorite treat. Their ‘ice cream’ is made from super-sweet apple banans and topped with locally-produced guava, lilikoi, mac nut butter, macnella (macadamia-nutella, basically) and more. When they announced they had an ‘ulu (breadfruit) waffle, we had to run over there ASAP.
Happy Eating!
