Breakfast is super important to give you the best start to the day. If you eat well at breakfast time, you’ll avoid mid morning cravings, have good energy levels and also get a dose of vitamins and minerals to help keep you fit and well. I have to admit that I do get lazy in the breakfast department sometimes and just have a couple of bits of toast. While that’s ok sometimes, just having toast can leave you feeling hungry later on as it’s low in protein.
This week as a part of NZ Nutrition week I’m giving eggs a go for breakfast this week. They are actually really quick to prepare and the best bit, they’re tasty!
Once upon a time, eggs were thought of as being unhealthy because of their cholesterol content, but eggs are a great source of nutrients. Eggs are a good source of over 11 vitamins and minerals essential for our health.
- Selenium -antioxidant which protects our body and immune system
- Folate – for growth and maintenance of healthy cells
- Biotin – helps cell metabolism and the utilisation of fats, proteins and carbohydrates
- Calcium- for building and maintain bones and teeth
- Cephalin- a phosphorus-containing lipid found in tissues
- Lecithin – contains acetylcholine which has been proven to help brain function
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5 ) – releases energy from our food for our body to use
- Vitamin B12 – for brain and nervous system functions and blood formation
- Vitamin A – for growth and eye health
- Iodine – to ensure proper function of our thyroid gland
- Vitamin E – antioxidant to protect our bodies against disease
- Phosphorous – helps build strong bones and teeth
- Iron – to produce haemoglobin which carries oxygen around our bodies
- Thiamine -to turn carbohydrates into energy our body can use
- Zinc – helps in growth, wound healing, blood formation and maintenance of tissues
- Vitamin D -important in bone health
I had my first egg breakfast yesterday, and the first thing I noticed as I wasn’t hungry at all until almost lunch time. This is due to the fact that eggs are a good source of protein. 2 eggs provide 12g of protein, compared to 2 pieces of toast which has around 6g. This was a bonus as some days I’m starving by 10am. I’ll be posting some of my egg recipes I’m trying out later this week.
Why not give eggs a go for breakfast this week too.
Hera
You’ve got me hooked on eggs now! Simple soft boiled egg smooshed on top grainy vogels toast! Porridge is my fave too, with grated apple, seeds, sultanas and cinnamon. Sweet berry omelette! Think I’ll give that a go soon!
Nicola
Yum! Your breakfast ideas sound yummy Hera! Let me know what you think of the omlette.