Whether you’re gluten-free due to health reasons or you’re just trying it out to see if you feel more energized during the day, finding quick and tasty breakfast ideas can pose a big challenge for nurses. There are some mornings (or all mornings) where the hustle and bustle of getting ready for work leaves you with mere minutes to eat before you have to fly out the door. Instead of reaching for a bowl of cereal, or worse, skipping breakfast altogether, try these nutrient-dense, gluten-free options to power up so you can give your most energized self to your patients during the day.
1. Gluten-Free Toast with Avocado and a Fried Egg
Who doesn’t love avocado toast? Mash half an avocado, squeeze in juice from half a lime and add in a dash of sea salt to taste. Smash ingredients together with your fork. Spread your avocado mash onto two toasted, gluten-free slices of bread. Top each slice of toast with a fried egg and sprinkle with a little more sea salt, ground pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired. This healthy fat and protein combination will keep you feeling full until your next snack or meal.
2. Maca Root and Nut Butter Smoothie
Smoothies are a great way to make a lightning fast breakfast. This creamy drink will help you forget you’re trying to eat healthier. In a high-powered blender, blend 1 cup of plant-based milk (like flax or hemp) or nut milk (like almond or cashew), 1 small banana, 2 tablespoons of the nut butter of your choice, and 1 teaspoon of maca root powder. Pour into a glass and drink. Maca root powder is known as a superfood and is loaded with essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Want to make your smoothie even more decadent? Add in two tablespoons of the powerful antioxidant, raw cacao powder. On its own, raw cacao is very bitter. But, when mixed with the natural sugars from the banana and the creaminess of the nut butter, raw cacao creates a nutritious, chocolatey beverage.
3. Spinach and Feta Cheese Scramble
If you have a few minutes to spare, this omelet provides you with protein, b vitamins, magnesium, iron, and more to energize your body. Sauté a cup of spinach, add 2 eggs, and ¼ cup of feta cheese. Scramble the mixture until it’s cooked through and dig in. To increase the nutrient profile of this breakfast, serve it with a mixed green side salad drizzled with an all-natural, balsamic vinaigrette.
4. Chocolate-Chia Pudding with Strawberries
If you usually eat oatmeal for breakfast, give the first meal of the day a refresh by trying this chia pudding. Chia seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and minerals. Best of all, this dish requires little to no prep time. For ingredients, you’ll need an unsweetened nut milk of your choice, vanilla extract, chia seeds, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and fresh strawberries. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of nut milk, 3 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and maple syrup to taste. Stir the ingredients thoroughly, cover the bowl, and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove the pudding, add in some sliced strawberries, mix it up, and enjoy!
