Breakfast help
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Breakfast help
So, in an effort to a) be healthier and b) not spend a fortune (much as I love a Starbucks brekkie, my bank balance doesn't!), I have started making breakfast and eating it on my commute. But I am already starting to get bored so need some ideas! Today I had a 1 egg plus egg white omelette in a multigrain wrap with spicy black bean spread. Last week I had scrambled egg whites with red peppers and scallions in a wrap with either hummus, guacamole, or salsa.
The ideal breakfast should be a) filling, so I don't get the munchies around 9am, b) preppable in advance (night before) with minimal morning time effort (microwave for a minute is about my tolerance!), c) vegetarian (eggs and cheese ok) and d) around the 250 calorie mark. Other than that, I don't really like cereals and don't like mushrooms or celery.
Any ideas?
The ideal breakfast should be a) filling, so I don't get the munchies around 9am, b) preppable in advance (night before) with minimal morning time effort (microwave for a minute is about my tolerance!), c) vegetarian (eggs and cheese ok) and d) around the 250 calorie mark. Other than that, I don't really like cereals and don't like mushrooms or celery.
Any ideas?
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
I don't know how travel computes in to your math here but I'm never really home enough to justify buying "raw material" groceries unless I can cut quantities to a weekend or so worth. I hate spending $200 at an organic grocery store and then chunking/giving away everything on Sunday.
My latest tweak to my breakfast routine is a bit Mediterranean. At home (and virtually everywhere I travel) it is typically pretty easy to find a Middle Eastern grocery. I get some olives and white cheese, which seems to have a decent tolerance to being out of the fridge for a few hours (I'm still alive, so working to this point). I pack baggies of olives and 2 or 3 triangles of the cheese. I eat one at the hotel and one as I'm leaving. I stick the last in my laptop bag and eat it around noon. That holds me until an early dinner and, since I'm not eating as late as I used to, I have an easier time getting to sleep and have less in my belly during my inactive periods.
The best part is I've been able to get this concoction through airport security 99.99% of the time....I only failed once. While the olives have olive oil on them, I guess the round shapes don't draw attention on the xray.
My latest tweak to my breakfast routine is a bit Mediterranean. At home (and virtually everywhere I travel) it is typically pretty easy to find a Middle Eastern grocery. I get some olives and white cheese, which seems to have a decent tolerance to being out of the fridge for a few hours (I'm still alive, so working to this point). I pack baggies of olives and 2 or 3 triangles of the cheese. I eat one at the hotel and one as I'm leaving. I stick the last in my laptop bag and eat it around noon. That holds me until an early dinner and, since I'm not eating as late as I used to, I have an easier time getting to sleep and have less in my belly during my inactive periods.
The best part is I've been able to get this concoction through airport security 99.99% of the time....I only failed once. While the olives have olive oil on them, I guess the round shapes don't draw attention on the xray.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 355
Breakfast is must for me and I never skimp out on breakfast. Usually my wife makes some extra muffins and freeze them. When I need them, I take them from the freezer before sometime for breakfast. I put them in baking stone and pop into a 350 degree over about 8 to 10 minutes and they become almost as good as fresh. I enjoy them with a cup of tea or milk.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US
Programs: (PM)AA SPG (Marriott), Hilton
Posts: 1,040
Some fruit in there? Most of it comes in it's own packaged and easy to prepare. It should have enough sugar to get the motor running and can snacked on again at 9am to help stave off the hungries.
If not fresh, then dried.
If not fresh, then dried.
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
You can do some amazing things cooking mini quiches in cup cake liners. They can be frozen and put in a ziplock in the freezer and warmed up for a minute or two in the microwave before you leave, or simply allowed to thaw overnight and eaten on the coldish side.
While not a fan, there are plenty of people having oatmeal on the train, bringing a commuter cup of hot water into instant oatmeal.
While not a fan, there are plenty of people having oatmeal on the train, bringing a commuter cup of hot water into instant oatmeal.
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Quiche sounds good, will look into cup cake portions.
Oatmeal has never been my thing, but maybe come the cooler months it might be worth revisiting.
Fruit is fine, but I've never found it especially satisfying - bananas are ok but beyond that, not much. I tend to snack of veggies with cottage cheese or hummus mid morning, more savory minded I guess! Perhaps an apple and peanut butter could work for breakfast now I ponder... Hmmmm!
Thanks everyone!
Oatmeal has never been my thing, but maybe come the cooler months it might be worth revisiting.
Fruit is fine, but I've never found it especially satisfying - bananas are ok but beyond that, not much. I tend to snack of veggies with cottage cheese or hummus mid morning, more savory minded I guess! Perhaps an apple and peanut butter could work for breakfast now I ponder... Hmmmm!
Thanks everyone!
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,547
I find that refried beans, eggs, cheese and salsa make a great filling breakfast burrito/wrap. I usually have some bacon or sausage in mine, but they're still good without it.
[edit] Just noticed this is very similar to what you're getting tired of. Oh well...
[edit] Just noticed this is very similar to what you're getting tired of. Oh well...
Last edited by braslvr; Jun 5, 2012 at 4:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US
Programs: (PM)AA SPG (Marriott), Hilton
Posts: 1,040
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2002
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Personally, I just like to have a bowl of cereal in the morning. It's fast and convenient. Choose a cereal that doesn't have too much sugar and more fiber and it will be more filling. I like Post Great Grains and Shredded Wheat and Bran (the latter with some Splenda or a banana).
Beware of instant oatmeal: it's often had its fiber removed and a lot of sugar added. So, it's high in calories but won't keep you full for long.
Oh, a slice of toast with some peanut butter on it is also a good standby. Whole wheat toast, preferably.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: VA WP, UA 1k, QR G, AZ WP
Posts: 358
it isn't a traditional brekky food - but I save a heap of money and time by buying LOTS of chicken breasts and poaching them with various herbs/spics/sauces. Once cooked I portion out into takeaway style containers and freeze them (also add in veges if desired).
Quick to microwave, and it comes out soft and juicy.
Quick to microwave, and it comes out soft and juicy.
#12
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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I use Ziplock steamer bags to make my omelette in the morning, usually I thow in some combination of spinach, broccoli, asparagus, whatever chopped vegetables i have on hand etc plus fresh herbs. I use turkey sausage for extra flavor & texture, but you could use cheese (I don't do dairy).
Or I will make a frittata on Sunday night and reheat portions thoughout the week using the same basic ingredients. After heating, I sprinkle fresh chopped chives (I cut with scissors) on top as that seems to brighten it up.
I use a combination of 1 egg, egg whites, and then almond milk to add more body, maybe with a tbsp of butter or margarine. My prep & cooking time in the morning is no more than 3 minutes, usually much less.
I eat out of a reusable plastic container, usually while on the way to my workout. Easy to throw away if I don't have somewhere to quickly wash it but usually less messy than eating a wrap.
My other breakfast option usually involves some leftover black beans mixed with chiles and whatever chopped vegetables I have on hand. As with the eggs, I just reheat in a plastic container in the morning. A quick grab & go breakfast without settling on junk.
Or I will make a frittata on Sunday night and reheat portions thoughout the week using the same basic ingredients. After heating, I sprinkle fresh chopped chives (I cut with scissors) on top as that seems to brighten it up.
I use a combination of 1 egg, egg whites, and then almond milk to add more body, maybe with a tbsp of butter or margarine. My prep & cooking time in the morning is no more than 3 minutes, usually much less.
I eat out of a reusable plastic container, usually while on the way to my workout. Easy to throw away if I don't have somewhere to quickly wash it but usually less messy than eating a wrap.
My other breakfast option usually involves some leftover black beans mixed with chiles and whatever chopped vegetables I have on hand. As with the eggs, I just reheat in a plastic container in the morning. A quick grab & go breakfast without settling on junk.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Yogurt is another idea to add to the list - thanks!
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I've done this. The "cup quiches" are decent and can be filling. Mine came out very bland after freezing, however.
Personally, I just like to have a bowl of cereal in the morning. It's fast and convenient. Choose a cereal that doesn't have too much sugar and more fiber and it will be more filling. I like Post Great Grains and Shredded Wheat and Bran (the latter with some Splenda or a banana).
Beware of instant oatmeal: it's often had its fiber removed and a lot of sugar added. So, it's high in calories but won't keep you full for long.
Oh, a slice of toast with some peanut butter on it is also a good standby. Whole wheat toast, preferably.
Personally, I just like to have a bowl of cereal in the morning. It's fast and convenient. Choose a cereal that doesn't have too much sugar and more fiber and it will be more filling. I like Post Great Grains and Shredded Wheat and Bran (the latter with some Splenda or a banana).
Beware of instant oatmeal: it's often had its fiber removed and a lot of sugar added. So, it's high in calories but won't keep you full for long.
Oh, a slice of toast with some peanut butter on it is also a good standby. Whole wheat toast, preferably.
Peanut butter on toast is a good option, thanks.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
it isn't a traditional brekky food - but I save a heap of money and time by buying LOTS of chicken breasts and poaching them with various herbs/spics/sauces. Once cooked I portion out into takeaway style containers and freeze them (also add in veges if desired).
Quick to microwave, and it comes out soft and juicy.
Quick to microwave, and it comes out soft and juicy.