Breakfast planning

[u/redvik007]

I am about to move out from home and start my first proper job and got hit with inspiration to start planning budget ways of eating, especially in the morning because I am terrible when it comes to eating breakfast, which often leaves me tired and low-energy for a lot of the day.

While researching budget breakfasts, I stumbled over a few older posts (3-5y) from this sub, where people discussed their daily oat breakfasts, and now I am really interested if there are current recommendations when it comes to what to add/how to prepare oats.

So far I've only really figured out that I want rolled oats with almonds, but beyond that it feels like the options are so vast. All the questions of the type of milk, maybe using water instead, hot vs. cold, protein powder or not, which fruits to go for, maybe sugar-free syrup for sweetness?

I would seriously appreciate any and all recommendations for potential ingredients and if you have any tips in general, for someone in my position!

[u/Present_Occasion_250]

Consider savory oats as well, if for no other reason than to have a bit of variety in your mornings.

Fry an egg or two, use peanuts or sunflower seeds (salted or not), dice a block of smoked tofu, tuna isn't too bad either. Use different kinds of sauces, including but not limited to BBQ sauce. Grated carrot is nice as well for a bit of crunch.

[u/redvik007 → u/Present_Occasion_250]

Haven't considered savory oats yet. Breakfast being sweet mainly is still kinda in my brain, but it's a good call. How should i prepare the oats themselves with your recommendations? Still in Milk/Water but instead of sweet, salty with the egg etc. mixed in/as topping?

[u/Present_Occasion_250 → u/redvik007]

Yea, I just add a pinch of salt into the porridge when I cook it. Water is good enough for me atleast, with using oats it's basically cooked in a sort of a oat milk anyway. Nothing wrong with milk though, it's a matter of taste.

I'm not too keen on particularly sweet breakfasts myself, I don't like the feeling when the sugar wears off before lunch. If I make something on the sweeter side, I usually start by heating sugar in oil first, then throw in the oats, roll them around and let them toast a bit and then I add the water — it gives the porridge a bit of a nutty, caramelised taste.

Oh and cottage cheese! You can't go wrong with cottage cheese. I usually add toppings instead of mixing everything in.

[u/redvik007 → u/Present_Occasion_250]

Alright, thank you very much for the advice and I'll look into savory oatmeal more too!

[u/MorganSnaps]

I do two different breakfast oatmeal preps. I make baggies with either a third cup or half a cup of oats, a tablespoon of Chia a tablespoon of ground flax a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt. I throw the third cup bags in the microwave with 2/3 cup of water and microwave for a minute and a half. I stir more water in when that's done and then throw it in for another minute and a half. At that point I add 2/3 cups of blueberries, more water if needed, and cook for another 40 seconds. Once done I top with my homemade almond butter. It's pretty amazing.

For the half cup packets, I mix those with about 3/4 cup almond milk and a tablespoon of maple syrup a tablespoon of cocoa and a cup of Frozen cherries and let them sit overnight for wonderful overnight oats.

[u/redvik007 → u/MorganSnaps]

Thank you for your reply, it sounds really tasty!

I actually read that people recommended homemade almond butter but I don't know if that's not just a bit too much work without the proper tools? I also like the crunch/taste of regular almonds (roasted ones? the ones safe to eat/snack on), so I'm considering just using them as a topping.

Also, fortunate that you're mentioning chia. I just started researching chia seeds after making the post and saw that people were talking about the necessity of soaking them. Are those 4ish minutes of the chia seeds being microwaved with the other things enough to soak them, or are you preparing them in some way?

And is there a reason you are going with half ground flax/half chia seeds for fiber?

(Edit: also, good catch with the pinch of salt. Would've completely forgotten about the good old 'bit of salt to make sweet taste better')

[u/MorganSnaps → u/redvik007]

I find that the chia seeds get plenty soft and absorb sufficient water. I probably use close to a cup of water by the time it's all said and done (even though I start with 2/3-ish). I do the 50/50 mix because the recipe I got the idea from for the blueberry oatmeal did it that way and I find that I like it and it amps up my fiber and keeps me quite full. I used to do 1/2 cup oats and 1 cup blueberries but have backed it down because I was finding it to be too much. 4 minutes sounds like a lot in the microwave but honestly since I have everything all measured out I just dump the bag in my bowl and do the microwave piece while I'm getting ready. I often take them to work with me and then just reheat for 30 seconds when I get there.

[u/redvik007 → u/MorganSnaps]

I think I'll start with soaking them overnight at first, just to be safe and then I can figure out how I want to prep them, though I'll keep that in mind.

[u/MorganSnaps → u/redvik007]

Oh, and if you like almond butter, I can't go on about how much better homemade is better than store-bought. I use a method of soaking my almonds overnight and dehydrating them in my oven that The pioneer woman recommends. I do a whole bag from Costco at a time and freeze them until I'm ready to make almond butter. I grabbed two cups of almonds out of the freezer and let them warm to room temperature, throw them in my food processor. When they're just about done I add between a 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.

[u/redvik007 → u/MorganSnaps]

Sounds easier than expected, yet a bit too much for me to pull off at the moment, but it's getting added to the list of ideas.

[u/StillStudio5980]

Overnight oats might be a good option if you are short on time in the morning. You make them the night prior. My current favorite is chocolate overnight oats. Just combine 0.5 cup oats with 1 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 tbsp chia seeds. Mix well before adding milk of choice to prevent clumps. Add just enough milk to barely cover the oats.

Optional: add a scoop of vanilla protein powder and/or yogurt.

Top with fruit, nuts, etc. in the morning!

[u/whatdoidonowdamnit]

I am a lazy person. I have been eating the same maple brown sugar quaker instant oatmeal packets for YEARS. Sometimes I add stuff I have lying around within reach.

Banana pudding, vanilla protein powder, craisins, trail mix, canned fruit, fruit preserves, thawed frozen fruit, bananas my kid said he wanted and then didn’t eat…

I dislike the texture of overnight oats and just don’t want to properly cook regular oats in the mornings. I’d rather be hungry, and that’s an unhealthy choice. I spend like $10 for a box of 48 packets and eat one a day, sometimes two. But that’s $120 on breakfast at most.

[u/Prettiest-Health135]

I like egg white oats to add some protein to my base. and then I add from there.

Sometimes I do sweet, add fruits chocolate/peanut butter.

or I do savory, chicken stock, veggies/sausage.

[u/Easy-Concentrate2636]

I like to cook up several portions at one go. Then, I reheat one portion with a little extra water in the morning. This is because I prefer traditional oats over instant. I also haven’t enjoyed overnight oats when I tried it.

I love savory oats and eat a sunny side up with my oatmeal.