Ideas for Healthy Breakfast

You have heard all about the importance of a healthy breakfast. But between trying not to burn your clothes with record breaking ironing speed, and running for the 8am local, you hardly get time to eat something healthy for breakfast. Relax. Here are some quick and easy ideas for a healthy breakfast.

The Healthy Indian Breakfast: Idlis, Sambhar, Tea and Fruit.Things you will need:

1.     Idli batter (pick it from your friendly neighbourhood grocery store)

2.     Daal

3.     Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beans etc.

4.     Sambhar powder

5.     Asafoetida

6.     Red chillies

7.     Curry leaves

8.     Turmeric and salt to taste.

Method:For the idlis: Simply put the batter into the moulds of the idli cooker, steam for 10 minutes and they're ready. You can buy an idli steamer for steaming idlis over a flame or simply go in for a microwave idli dish. The microwave idli dish is, easily, one of the best time savers in Indian kitchens.Fort the sambhar: Cook the dal and vegetable separately in water and for the tadka add mustard seeds, asafoetida, red chillies, sambhar powder, curry leaves and turmeric. Finish with a fruit like chiku or banana and give yourself your daily dose of caffeine with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and you're good to go!Nutritional benefits: Idlis provide you with the right kind of carbs and are non-fattening. The lentils are loaded with nutrients and proteins that'll energise you for the day's activities. Chikus and bananas are rich in antioxidants and keep you full for longer. You can alternate between idlis and dosas and grind some chutney if time permits, for variation.The Breakfast Quickie: Cereal, Nuts, Fruit and TeaThings you will need:

1.     Any kind of cereal

2.     A cup of milk

3.     Handful of dry fruits like dates, walnuts, almonds and raisins

This is probably the quickest breakfast ever. Heap in a couple of spoons of your favourite cereal, pour in a cup of milk, add the dry fruits and and soup's up! A breakfast of cereal with nuts, fruits and milk gives you the needed carbs, protein, essential fatty oils and calcium all in one go. Top it up with a fruit and a grab a cup of java on the go!The Continental Breakfast: Toast, Eggs, Fruits and CoffeeThings you need:

1.     2 Eggs

2.     Seasoning (pepper, chilli powder etc)

3.     Salt to taste.

4.     2 slices of brown bread

5.     A papaya or a pomegranate

Method:

Poach, scramble or simply boil two egg whites (including one egg yolk for daily breakfasts is permitted). Spread a little butter or cheese on the brown bread slices and include a fruit like papaya or pomegranate on the side. Wash everything down with tea or coffee.

Nutritional benefits: Eggs contain nutrients like phosphorus and magnesium. Consuming the yolk is not a bad idea either as it contains good cholesterol, which your body needs. But don't overdo it. Bread gives you the carbs your body needs for energy. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and a good source of vitamin E. Pomegranate is also a rich source of antioxidants and a good source of phosphorus.