By Victoria Q

How you start your day often depends on the first meal of the day – breakfast. Kick starts your day right with a healthy choice of breakfast can keep you concentrated on your work even better. So often we heard people having eggs and yogurt bowls for breakfast and this leaves plant-based eaters has no idea what to eat for breakfast.

But this doesn’t mean we should skip breakfast or grab a quick sugary granola bar that’ll leave us low energy and hungry a half-hour later.

Below are a few ideas that you might or might not try before. You’d be surprised how many healthy breakfast ideas require very little effort and time when we put them into practice.

1. Nut Butter, Banana and Chia Seed Toast

Try this superfood on classic PB or any nut butter you prefer (I use cashew nut butter as I’m allergic to PB), slices of banana and a sprinkle of whole raw chia seeds, which are packed with fibre, iron, calcium, selenium and magnesium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. You can also add sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra texture and nutrients.

2. Green Smoothie

Here’s a simple and delicious smoothie for the morning rush. It’s refreshing and takes less than 5 minutes to blend fresh or frozen fruit (banana, mango, berry etc), leafy greens (spinach or kale work the best) and liquid of your choice (dairy-free milk, coconut water, or any liquid you like). My favourite is a combination of frozen banana, frozen mango, fresh spinach and coconut water.

3. Nut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Smoothies are the perfect on-the-go drink any time of the day. It’s super healthy and quick to make. Blend frozen banana, nut butter, soy milk, sweetener and a few ice cubes and you’re sipping a milkshake.

Tip: Add a scoop of your favourite protein powder for an extra shot of protein.

4. Quinoa Fruit Salad

A bowl of salad is always a healthy choice to have in your meal – be it in breakfast, lunch, dinner or even snack. Some people find it hard to eat greens in the morning, but it tastes a lot better when you mixed with fruits and quinoa. This will require you to cook quinoa in advance. Toss some cooked quinoa with fruits, greens and drizzle on any dressing of your choice and toss to coat evenly.

5. Classic Overnight Oats

It’s impossible to write about vegan breakfast without mentioning oats on the list. Oats are known for an easy and delicious way to add protein to any diet. Combine oats, chia seeds, maple syrup and dairy-free milk in a sealed container and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with any fruits and nuts and you’re ready to go.

6. Chocolate Chips and Nut Butter Porridge

Another oats recipe here. They’re so versatile that you can soak, bake and cook them. Also, they taste great with all sorts of toppings. Cook oats with water till softened. Stir constantly to prevent the porridge stick to the bottom. You may adjust the texture of porridge depending on your preference – thick, slightly thick or watery. This recipe requires cooking but you don’t have to worry about the time because the porridge cooked up so fast. Lastly, top with chocolate chips and nut butter.

Warning: Do not leave your porridge unattended as it will burn quickly.

7. Chocolate Chia Pudding

As I mentioned before, chia seeds are loaded with a lot of amazing nutrients. Chia seeds have a bland taste and can absorb water, turning into a gel-like substance, which is why they are used to make chia pudding. Combine 1 cup of dairy-free milk, ¼ cup of chia seeds, 2 tbsp maple syrup, ½ tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder in a sealed container and refrigerate overnight. Top with your favourite fruits, coconut flakes or other garnishes.

8. Granola

Granola is my favourite on-the-go breakfast, snack and even emergency food all the time. Vegan granola can be found in any local grocery store but it can also be hard to find in some places. The good news is, it’s super easy to make and you’ll be shocked by how much you can save from making your own. Serve with fresh fruit and dairy-free milk or your favourite plant-based yogurt!

Find the recipe below to make your own!

Homemade Granola (Vegan)

9. Avocado Toast

There always be reason avocados got so trendy a few years back. Not only do they taste delicious but also packed with good fats and fibre, which means they help you stay full longer! They’re also a great source of vitamins. This takes even lesser than 5 minutes to get your breakfast ready on the dining table. Keep things simple by topping sliced avocado with a thick slice of toast. You can also top your toast with mashed avocado with salt and pepper for a stronger taste.

10. Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl

This breakfast bowl tastes so good that it could be your dessert bowl at the same time! It’s made with all the good-for-you ingredients like frozen berries, nut butter and some splash of dairy-free milk. You could swap frozen acai berries for a richer texture. Pop all ingredients in a blender and top with an assortment of delicious fruits, seeds, cocoa nibs and coconut flakes for a refreshing summer breakfast.