How To Make A Flexitarian Breakfast

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | May 13, 2024 | Breakfast, Education, How-to | 0 comments

How To Make A Flexitarian Breakfast Table of Contents hide 1. How To Make A Flexitarian Breakfast 2. Importance of a Balanced Breakfast 3. The Key To A Flexitarian Breakfast: Limit Animal Products 4. Health Benefits of The Flexitarian Breakfast 5. 5 Tips For Creating A Balanced Flexitarian Breakfast 5.1. Pick more Protein 5.2. Focus […]
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

How To Make A Flexitarian Breakfast

 

A balanced breakfast has a mix of nutrients to provide energy and keep you feeling full throughout the morning. Opt for a combination of carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals to ensure a well-rounded and nutritious diet. 

Find these nutrients in many foods, including plant-based foods. If you are looking for a nutritious Flexitarian morning meal continue reading this Flexitarian Breakfast guide.

As a bonus, I also provide a variety of Flexitarian breakfast recipes!

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. These links incur no additional cost to you but may provide a small commission to support the upkeep of our site. Thank you for your support and understanding.

McDonalds Pancakes Recipe sliced down the middle with a peanut butter syrup

Pancakes fortified with protein powder and drizzled with a peanut butter maple glaze

Importance of a Balanced Breakfast

 

Breakfast is often called “the most important meal of the day” by many health professionals. 

Numerous studies have found eating a balanced breakfast regularly is associated with a range of health benefits. Some of these include reduced risk of obesity, and type II diabetes, as well as better academic performance in children and adolescents.

Flexitarian breakfasts are similar to my recommendations for a non-flexitarian healthy breakfast with one difference – moderate/limit the intake of animal-derived products. 

The Key To A Flexitarian Breakfast: Limit Animal Products 

 

To adopt a Flexitarian lifestyle, you moderate/limit your intake of meat and potentially other animal-derived products.

Limiting animal products at breakfast is a great way to kick off your day of Flexitarian Eating. 

Some Flexitarian Styles of eating, like Marc Bittman’s “Vegan Before 6”, eating plant-based during the first two-third’s of the day, and for dinner, they have the option of eating a meat-based meal. 

This daily routine can make eating more plant-based more feasible for many people. 

 

Health Benefits of The Flexitarian Breakfast

 

Additionally, embracing a plant-based breakfast offers numerous health benefits worth considering.

Opting for plant-based alternatives at breakfast can help reduce the intake of saturated fats, promoting heart health. Additionally, plant-based breakfasts rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide essential nutrients and diverse flavors, which may contribute to improved digestive health. 

So, you might ask yourself, how do I make a Flexitarian Breakfast? 

I’ll tell you!

 

A hand holding a ceramic spoon with thick and creamy Vanilla Cinnamon Peanut butter on the spoon.

Nut Butters for a Healthy Balanced Flexitarian Breakfast

5 Tips For Creating A Balanced Flexitarian Breakfast

 

Here are my easy-to-follow five tips for creating a balanced Flexitarian breakfast.

Pick more Protein

Incorporating about 25-30g of protein into your breakfast can significantly extend your feeling of fullness throughout the morning. Protein also provides essential amino acids vital for muscle repair and growth.

 

Some Flexitarian Breakfast Protein Sources include:

Eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts, seeds, nuts and seed butter, beans, tofu, protein powders, and protein-fortified breakfast products such as bagels, pancakes, and waffles.

Here is a list of excellent protein-packed flexitarian Breakfast Smoothie Recipes. I add protein powder to a smoothie for a quick, easy, and protein-packed breakfast. These Flexitarian breakfast recipes keep me full for hours!

Peanut Butter Smoothie

Peanut Paradise Tropical Smoothie Cafe Copycat, one smoothie in focus, one smoothie in the background and sitting overtop 2 blue coasters, peanut butter and date caramel on spoons in the foreground with fresh sliced bananas.

 

Focus on Fiber

Fiber aids in digestion and helps to regulate blood glucose levels. Additionally, fiber promotes satiety, which keeps you feeling full.

Some Flexitarian Breakfast Fiber Sources include: 

Nuts, seeds, nuts and seeds butter, whole grain breads and bagels, oats, quinoa, beans, whole fruits, and veggies.

Check out my article about How To Make The Best Creamy Oatmeal. A single cup of quick-cooking oats has 300 calories, 10g of protein, and 4g of fiber. 

Creamy Oatmeal in a skillet with 3 butter pats

 

Choose Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are essential for brain health, hormone production, and micronutrient absorption.

Some Flexitarian Breakfast Healthy Fats Sources include: 

Avocado, salmon, olive oil, peanut butter, nut butter, nuts, and seeds.

Check out my Avocado Toast Recipe! This recipe has fiber, healthy fats, and protein

Soft Boiled Eggs on Toast with Sliced Turnips on a blue plate

 

Limit Added Sugar

Added sugar at breakfast can lead to energy crashes later in the day.

To help prevent blood sugar spikes, avoid foods such as muffins, scones, donuts, sugary cereals, and sugary yogurts.

However, note that I said “limit added sugar” not omit! 

In moderation, breakfast foods that contain added sugar can fit into a healthy Flexitarian diet and lifestyle. 

For example, I love this Croffles recipe for entertaining guests for a special occasion like a Mother’s Day Bruch or Christmas Day Breakfast. 

A bite shot of a croffle with a dusting of powdered sugar. You can see the outline of the croffle where the bite was taken due to the powdered sugar dusting.

 

Don’t forget those Vitamins and Minerals

A balanced breakfast needs vitamins and minerals. To incorporate a variety of these nutrients, incorporate lots of colorful fruits and veggies into your diet.

You can also opt for fortified foods such as cereals, dairy products, plant-based milks, and grains.

My Smoothie Bowl recipe is another Flexitarian recipe that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Strawberry Smoothie Bowl with toppings such as granola , sliced strawberries, coconut flakes, and cocoa nibs. Placed on a plain eggshell white back drop.

 

 

 

 

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Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
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Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

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