Not a morning person? These easy breakfast habits will help you start your day right

Mornings are not everyone’s cup of tea. While some wake up all chirpy and fresh, raring to take on the day, some of us (this writer included), simply can’t deal with those early daylight hours. And one of the biggest problems when you wake up grumpy, feeling like a zombie (and running late for work, again), is the fact that eating breakfast is the last thing on your mind. But, with studies showing that the first meal of the day could also be the most important, it’s vital to not give it a miss. 

Ahead, Bazaar India has compiled five habits that take the labour out of breakfast and might just make you look forward to mornings. 

Prep the night before

A major qualm of people who can’t function in the morning and end up skipping breakfast is the effort it takes to make a meal from scratch. But with a little planning the night before, breakfast can be ready and on the table in under a few minutes.  One of the most popular dishes to make ahead is overnight oats, which involves soaking rolled oats with your milk of choice (or water) and refrigerating it in the night so you wake up to thick, creamy oats that you can then top with fruits, nuts, and yogurt. It makes for a hearty breakfast with minimal work involved, a major plus for non-morning folks. Another idea is to chop veggies and store them for later use, which you can then use to whip up everything from a quick morning stir fry to a veg-loaded omelette.

Treat breakfast as me-time

A habit that will make you appreciate mornings more is rethinking the purpose of breakfast. Instead of treating it as a chore, see it as a time to slow down and connect with yourself. Don’t just grab and go, (protein bars are not breakfast!) but try to cook something that gives you joy and sit and savour your meal as you set your intentions for the day. This mindful practice can shift your perspective of morning and make you see it as a way to spend time and fuel yourself. 

Include variety on your breakfast plate

While the thought of having cream cheese bagels or hot parathas every day for breakfast can seem tempting, it can also get really boring real quick. Same goes for foods on the healthier spectrum, like your daily bowl of porridge. Breakfast is the perfect time to get creative, and no, it doesn’t mean elaborate planning or cooking. Proteins, carbs, and fats—these will give you the energy you need to fuel your day and keep you full for longer. It also ensures your breakfast isn’t monotonous.  

Add one dish or ingredient that you love

This one is a no-brainer. Have that one ingredient you can’t do without? Or there’s a dish that you really like? Then add it to your breakfast—this way, you’ll have something to look forward to when you wake up and it will also make happier, a win-win in our books. If you love coffee, then take the time to make yourself a cup every morning, if eggs are your weakness, find a way to sneak them into your meal. 

Don’t forget the ease of smoothie bowls

If you can’t help but wake up groggy every day, then fun and flavourful smoothies might make you a morning convert. Freeze your favourite fruits like berries, bananas, and mangoes along with veggies like celery and spinach into Ziploc bags so you can prepare smoothies in a jiffy. To cut down on your time even more, you can even freeze coconut milk into cubes so all you have to do is plop the fruits, milk cubes, and a couple of dates into a blender, whizz them up and breakfast is served. If you would like to jazz up your smoothie bowls, go the extra mile with toppings like fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, and cacao nibs. 

Lead image: Earth Cafe India/Instagram