Low carb breakfast suggestions

crickie152
crickie152 Posts: 9 Member
It's been suggested that I switch to a low carb diet for a week as I'm doing the 5:2 diet and I feel pretty wasted on fast days and the following day and this may work for me. Low carb eating is something I have no knowledge or experience of so I've been having a little look online .. as you do! Anyway, breakfast seems to be a bit of a problem for me. My breakfast of choice is porridge made with skimmed milk and a banana but this is a definite no-no for a low carb diet.

Thing is, I can't deal with savoury stuff first thing, and I have to eat first thing as I'm starving. I'm definitely not one for the full English! Eggs are a bit of a problem too as my cholesterol levels are high. I thought yogurts were OK (not that a yogurt would be substantial enough for me), but apparently not.

Does anyone have any suggestion on what I can eat for breakfast which is low carb?

~Thanks.
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Replies

  • slcrane90
    slcrane90 Posts: 35 Member
    I have come to the conclusion that just because it is "Breakfast" doesnt mean you need to eat "Breakfast" food. I am actually considering starting to have vegetable soup and grilled chicken for breakfast. I have heard of several people turning their menu around and eating the bigger meal first thing and the lighter meal later in the day. Good luck to you!
  • try egg beaters and ham or bits of steak meat. or if your into protein shakes - isopure makes a good NO carb one!
  • dazzo62
    dazzo62 Posts: 78
    Greek yogurt with chopped walnuts, cottage cheese, farmers cheese or + fruit (I eat a lot of low fat dairy). Kind bars for on the go, eggs and I agree with the below- it doesn't have to be breakfast food if you can stomach grilled chicken in the morning. Some people can eat fish - it just wouldn't work for me!:wink:
  • crickie152
    crickie152 Posts: 9 Member
    Thanks for your suggestions. I really can't eat savoury stuff first thing, eg chicken, ham, bacon, sausages. The eggs are a problem for me too as I have high cholesterol.

    Any more for any more?!!
  • What about egg whites? The cholesterol is in the yolk.
    My favorite omelette is made of one whole egg and three whites (or use 4-5 whites) and a splash of lite soy milk, all whipped really well, fried in some low-fat margarine with lite mozzarella cheese in the middle and some black pepper and rosemary or salsa or basil marinara sauce. Sounds long but it's super simple and keeps me full ;)
  • What I eat for breakfast depends on how much time I have lol. Mornings I'm running behind, I throw a slice of whole wheat bread in the toaster then spread peanut butter on it and grab a cheese stick. Mornings when I have a little extra time, I peel a couple of boiled eggs (which I boiled the night before) salt and pepper and slice up an apple. Other mornings, I grab yogurt, granola bars, or fruit. I have also made (the night before) breakfast cupcakes. All you do is line a cupcake pan with your favorite sliced lunch meat (I used 2 slices of turkey) or bacon then crack open and egg into the lunch meat (I scrambled my egg and threw in some chives and spinach) then pop the pan into the oven until it's done. The egg should be fluffy and cooked all the way thru and the lunchmeat should be a little crunchy around the edges. It's a pretty good little breakfast to throw in the microwave in the mornings.

    Hope this helps! :)
  • amtzfamly
    amtzfamly Posts: 12
    I do, 1/2 cup of egg whites, 2 strips of turkey bacon and Salsa. Very low carb and less than 250 cal.
  • liftreadphilosophize
    liftreadphilosophize Posts: 180 Member
    Make protein pancakes with casein protein powder and egg whites (sometimes I mix in pumpkin, too). I eat them as dessert on lifting days, but there's no reason you can't start your day with them! The casein is also a slower-release protein so it should help you stay full longer.
  • briggsy13
    briggsy13 Posts: 161 Member
    I eat it for lunch most days but its good whenever, 6 egg whites with spinach sometimes mushrooms too. Its good by itself but sometimes I add some spaghetti sauce (healthy low cal one) on top. Its so good.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    It's been suggested that I switch to a low carb diet for a week as I'm doing the 5:2 diet and I feel pretty wasted on fast days and the following day and this may work for me. Low carb eating is something I have no knowledge or experience of so I've been having a little look online .. as you do! Anyway, breakfast seems to be a bit of a problem for me. My breakfast of choice is porridge made with skimmed milk and a banana but this is a definite no-no for a low carb diet.

    Thing is, I can't deal with savoury stuff first thing, and I have to eat first thing as I'm starving. I'm definitely not one for the full English! Eggs are a bit of a problem too as my cholesterol levels are high. I thought yogurts were OK (not that a yogurt would be substantial enough for me), but apparently not.

    Does anyone have any suggestion on what I can eat for breakfast which is low carb?

    ~Thanks.

    I eat "lower carb" (60 to 120 grams a day) and I occasionally eat steel cut oats (higher in protein than regular oatmeal) with a handful of nuts for breakfast--I put a dollop of organic butter on top. I make up for it by going lighter carb the rest of the day. I just can't do the super-low-carb thing anymore. I'm pretty happy with this diet and feel that I could stay on it the rest of my life. When I switch to maintenance, I will merely increase the portions slightly.
  • An omelet with veggies! I use 2 eggs, 1/2 cup egg whites, 2-3 handfuls of spinach, about 1/4 cup red onion (I like onions), and occasionally some chopped bell peppers. Sometimes I put a little cheese in for flavor, but that's your choice if you want the extra calories or not or if you like cheese or not.

    Edit: I saw you can't have eggs. You could use just egg whites instead of whole eggs, and add lots of cheese for flavor. I was under the impression that dietary cholesterol has no relationship to bodily cholesterol, and that saturated fat is actually the culprit?

    I also sometimes make a protein shake with 1 Greek yogurt (plain Fage 0% container works best because it is thick and creamy), 1 cup strawberries (not sure if that's allowed, how low carb are you?), 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, stevia, and ice and water as desired for texture. You can also use milk instead of water, which would add more protein and calories if you need something big and filling. You can also just take out one of the proteins and add less water if that seems like too much food for the morning. I'm big on breakfast so I like a lot of food.
  • My favorite breakfast is a breakfast parfait.
    In a glass bowl , wine glass, etc. layer plain yogurt, granola (I like bulk barn hemp granola), berries and a drizzle of honey.
    Do a second layer of all and top with a little extra yogurt.
    Delicious and elegant enough for company.
  • Dawnomite
    Dawnomite Posts: 37 Member
    Egg whites, a meat ( bacon or sausage) bell peppers and cheese omelette .
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    My favorite breakfast is a breakfast parfait.
    In a glass bowl , wine glass, etc. layer plain yogurt, granola (I like bulk barn hemp granola), berries and a drizzle of honey.
    Do a second layer of all and top with a little extra yogurt.
    Delicious and elegant enough for company.

    Probably not low carb.
  • lilbodes
    lilbodes Posts: 9 Member
    Under my GP's advice I've gone low carb for 6 weeks to see if we cant kick start some weight loss as I've been stuck for some time.

    Once I got over the whole, oh Bugger thats carby.... I have gotten totally into Chia puddings for breakfast, they have whatever you like in them over the basic. I use a Thermomix but I dont think the guys in the US have them there. You could do it on the stove its very quick and 1 batch lasts a few days.

    I use this basic recipe from Quirky Jo, it's great, very tasty and you can substitute things as they are seasonal or what you have in the cupboard,. The other day I hadn't enough chia seeds so I topped it up with quinoa, still tasted good. Have a look at the recipes heaps of variations on her blog. I worked it out to be 65 carbs per serve. Its very filling just add a bit of yoghurt (not included in the carb count) and you are laughing. PS I dont use the fancy powders that she uses just really basic, the Crio Bru (cacao nibs) are grat, and they are good to brew up and drink,
    good luck

    http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/layered-maqui-chia-pudding.html
  • jennjenn07
    jennjenn07 Posts: 8 Member
    NOT SURE IF I AM MISREADING OR WHAT..I THOUGHT YOUR ORIGINAL SAID YOU HAD TROUBLE WITH EGGS AND YOU DIDN'T LIKE SAVORY OR BREAKFAST MEATS...
    I DON'T DO TOO MANY LOW CARB THINGS BUT I DO WATCH THE CARBS..FOR BREAKFAST SOMETIMES I EAT A WHOLE GRAIN WAFFLE (1)..SPREAD A LIL LOW FAT RICOTTA ON IT AND SPREAD LIL SUGAR FREE JELLY ON IT..SWEETENS IT UP AND IT'S A FILLING BREAKFAST.
    IF I JUST NEED A LIL SOMETHING, I MIGHT HAVE A SUGAR FREE PUDDING WITH A LIL PB2 ADDED OR A LOW CARB YOGURT WITH 1/2 A BANANA
    LOW CARB TORTILLAS ARE GOOD FOR BREAKFAST TOO..YOU CAN SWEETEN THESE UP WITH LOTS OF THINGS..THE RICOTTA AND JELLY OR THE YOGURT...WHATEVER WORKS
  • togmo
    togmo Posts: 257
    I have come to the conclusion that just because it is "Breakfast" doesnt mean you need to eat "Breakfast" food. I am actually considering starting to have vegetable soup and grilled chicken for breakfast. I have heard of several people turning their menu around and eating the bigger meal first thing and the lighter meal later in the day. Good luck to you!

    I have been thinking of doing this too. I have found when I don't eat enough for breakfast or lunch that I feel a bit flakey and out of it during the day and no amount of dinner can really help me feel better.

    I guess you just have to figure out what works for you. I think maybe a bigger breakfast and smaller dinner is a good idea for me, on those days I am not planning on going out for dinner or something ofcourse, because then I will over-eat...
  • crickie152
    crickie152 Posts: 9 Member
    My favorite breakfast is a breakfast parfait.
    In a glass bowl , wine glass, etc. layer plain yogurt, granola (I like bulk barn hemp granola), berries and a drizzle of honey.
    Do a second layer of all and top with a little extra yogurt.
    Delicious and elegant enough for company.

    This sounds much more my cup of tea. As I've said, I can't deal with savoury foods/meats in my first meal of the day. BUT, aren't yogurt and granola both high carb. I know oats are and as that's what granola is made from ....
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    The cholesterol in eggs doesnt affect the cholesterol in your body - but if you like you could just have egg whites. these can be made into a sort of pancake with flax seed or chia seed.

    A handful of nuts maybe?

    All yoghurts are not the same, some are more low-carb friendly. It tends to be the sweetened ones that are more carby.

    A smoothie made with peanut or almond butter, greek yoghurt or cottage cheese, sweetened to taste with honey or some berries, as those are the lowest carb fruits.

    You biggest issue, though, is that sugar=carbs.
  • helen195
    helen195 Posts: 90 Member
    have you considered a protein drink for breakfast? with a handful of nuts.

    I use Promax Strawberry flavour, it can be mixed with milk or water.
  • Sometimes when I am in a rush I grab some plain mixed nuts and seeds and chomp my way through them at my desk.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    I'm trying to understand--you are doing 5:2 but you want to also do low carb because you feel "wasted" from fasting? But you don't want to eat anything apart from sweet things for breakfast, right?

    Why all the restriction?
  • WrenTheCoffeeAddict
    WrenTheCoffeeAddict Posts: 148 Member
    Hungry Girl - Egg Mcmuggin

    Egg McMuggin'
    PER SERVING (entire mug):
    174 calories,
    3.25g fat,
    1,081mg sodium,
    9g carbs,
    1g fiber,
    2.5g sugars,
    25g protein

    Ingredients:
    1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original in the US, or TwoChicks in the UK)
    One wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese, cut into pieces [I found Extra Light at Tesco]
    1 1/2 oz. (about 3 slices) extra-lean ham, chopped - [I used one chicken frankfurter instead]
    One-half slice light bread (40 - 45 calories and at least 2g fiber per slice)
    1 tbsp. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

    Directions:
    Toast bread and cut into cubes. Spray a large microwave-safe mug lightly with nonstick spray. Add bread cubes, egg substitute, cheese wedge pieces, and ham, and stir. Microwave for about a minute. Stir gently, and then top with shredded cheese. Microwave for another 30 - 45 seconds, until scramble is just set. Stir and enjoy!
  • Linkdapink
    Linkdapink Posts: 128 Member
    All you do is line a cupcake pan with your favorite sliced lunch meat (I used 2 slices of turkey) or bacon then crack open and egg into the lunch meat (I scrambled my egg and threw in some chives and spinach) then pop the pan into the oven until it's done. The egg should be fluffy and cooked all the way thru and the lunchmeat should be a little crunchy around the edges. It's a pretty good little breakfast to throw in the microwave in the mornings.

    Hope this helps! :)

    Ok that sounds delicious! I'm definitely going to make them next week! How long do they keep for? Do you just do them the night before?
  • EHAMum
    EHAMum Posts: 8 Member
    Breakfast is difficult because it is carb-based.

    Here are a couple of things that work for me:

    (1) As soon as I wake up I take the edge off my hunger with a "real" (I grind the beans and make wonderful coffee on the stove) coffee. I have it half coffee and half full-cream milk. It's a lot of calories but the taste is great and I found that it replaced my sweet cravings. Heating the milk in microwave before adding to coffee brings out the milk's sweetness.

    (2) After doing a ton of household things and feeding the children.... I decide on my own breakfast. It is good to remove your choice about a meal from the starving waking-up feeling.

    (3) The suggestion to have non-breakfast food is very sound. If you have any leftovers, they are a good choice because you will find that you are really full and not needing mid-morning snack. I have had good progress with a few days of having left over dinner for breakfast. It is a good use of your calorie allowance for the day.

    (3) Try a low carb "porridge". I found a packet of 10 grain porridge (Bob's Red Mill or something like that) in my local supermarket, and this is a low carb start to the day. Make it with water and sweeten with 10 grapes.

    (4) If you really must have sweet things, combine some protein (ie cheese or nuts or an egg) with it. So French toast (bread soaked in egg and cooked in frypan) with something sweet like honey should be better for your body than the usual high carb breakfast.

    (5) On a general note, having had diabetes 3 times in pregnancy, if you must eat some carbs, eat protein foods at the same time. It makes an enormous difference. ie if you eat some bread, eat it with cheese or egg. If you eat some pasta, eat fish or meat at the same time. Your body is better able to process the sugar in the carbs, if it has some protein to process at the same time.

    I hope this helps you!

    EHA mum
  • mer1441
    mer1441 Posts: 35 Member
    What about some smoothies/juices? You could also add in protein powder or whatever is suitable for you. I don't know if this would be an option or whether it's what you are looking for but it may be good :smile: I usually just chuck whatever I feel like into a blender with a few tablespoons of tofu, maybe some ground up pumpkin seeds and it's perfect! Good luck finding something you like. :smile:
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    I have come to the conclusion that just because it is "Breakfast" doesnt mean you need to eat "Breakfast" food. I am actually considering starting to have vegetable soup and grilled chicken for breakfast. I have heard of several people turning their menu around and eating the bigger meal first thing and the lighter meal later in the day. Good luck to you!

    Same, i do this all the time.
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    Eggs. As mentioned by another poster, dietary cholesterol has very little impact on serum cholesterol levels. It's a complete myth.

    In fact, studies such as "Reducing the serum cholesterol level with a diet high in animal fat" have shown that diets high in animal fat and lower in carbohydrates IMPROVE the lipid profile.

    The Framingham study examined the serum cholesterol in high versus low egg consumption and found no significant difference in either men or women;

    BUT In the 'Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial' the association between self-reported dietary intake of eggs and serum cholesterol was examined (in a population of 12 000 men). Those consuming more eggs had lower serum cholesterol than those men consuming fewer eggs.

    Similarly, in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), the diets of 20 000 participants were evaluated, and participants consuming less than 1 egg per week had a higher average serum cholesterol than those consuming more than 4 eggs per week.

    Conclusion: Just eat your eggs.
  • LauraDotts
    LauraDotts Posts: 732 Member
    As has already been stated, eggs will not raise your cholesterol. A low carb diet will lower your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides regardless of the amount of meat and eggs you eat. Eating good meats and fats will raise your HDL (the good cholesterol).

    However, if you really don't want to eat eggs for breakfast, you can go with nut butters on celery, cheese and cucumber, etc.

    If you decide to eat eggs, eat the whole egg. Removing the yolk removes the majority of the egg's nutrition. Eggs, by the way, are a perfectly balanced food.

    On a low carb diet do not eat anything labeled as low-fat, non-fat, or fat-free. When food manufacturers remove the fat from food the flavor is replaced with sugars.
  • kathicooks
    kathicooks Posts: 81 Member
    My latest invention (Ok, probably a ton of other folks do this too) is to soft scramble 3 eggs (to split across 2 breakfasts) in the evening. Pack half in two reheatable containers, and put a couple slices of deli ham in zipper bags. The next morning heat the eggs for 30 seconds, then toss the ham into the containers with the eggs and continue for another 30 seconds. Everything is nice and hot and you can roll the eggs up into the ham for a carb-free wrap. If you're creative and not as brain-dead as I am in the mornings, you could add cheese, hot sauce, etc.

    I just like that the ham serves as the wrapper - and that it's so easy to do this the night before.