Tired of oats or yoghurt for breakfast every day? Let’s take a trip around the world to explore nutritious, tasty breakfast options to shake up your tastebuds.
Japan
Best known for their delicious sushi; breakfast in Japan consists of steamed rice (okayu porridge) with different garnishes. Common toppings are pickled veggies, fermented soybeans, fish, tofu and dried seaweed. Eggs are served as an omelette. These ingredients make for a nutritious breakfast and deliver essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, Vitamin A, manganese and selenium. This wholesome dish is usually served with green tea for a healthy dose of antioxidants.
Egypt
If you prefer a savoury breakfast, an Egyptian spread has you covered. The star of the traditional Egyptian breakfast dish, Ful Medames, is the fava bean. To make it, fava beans are stewed overnight and spiced with cumin, chopped parsley, lemon juice, onion and chilli pepper. Sometimes, protein-rich hardboiled eggs are added. This meal is chockful of healthy nutrients like fibre, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
Russia
If you’re in need of a comforting, nutritious start to your day, a Russian porridge is the way to go. The fluffy porridge is often made from oats, millet, buckwheat or semolina and is cooked in milk to make it extra creamy. It’s topped with butter, spices, dried fruits or jam for extra flavour. The healthiest choice would be the buckwheat porridge as it contains heart-healthy flavonoids to help lower high blood pressure. Overall, this delicious take on oats is low in sodium and filled with fibre.
Vietnam
For those who think that broth is only meant for lunch or supper; think again! In Vietnam, Pho is a popular breakfast bone broth. A steaming bowl usually includes tasty ingredients like bean sprouts, mint, coriander, spring onion, lime, roasted peanuts and chilli. Bone broth is good for your gut, and the added vegetables provide the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. Furthermore, it’s the perfect winter warmer for chilly mornings.
India
Colourful India is renowned for its flavourful, spicy dishes, so when it comes to breakfast it doesn’t disappoint. Dry roasted semolina, made from durum wheat, is used to make a thick savoury porridge. It’s cooked with chillies, coriander, turmeric and other spices which gives it a warm flavour. With it’s anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is one of the most powerful ingredients in this dish as. You’ll also get a good dose of selenium, folate and Vitamin E and B, and protein from the wholegrains.