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Eating carbs for breakfast for weight loss?! This may seem like a typo at first, but there are plenty of healthy, good-for-you carbs that can help shrink your waistline and keep you on track with your fitness goals. Unfortunately, yummy cheat-day carbs like waffles and bread aren’t included in this nutritious group, but there are still equally-delicious options out there!
Need help determining what constitutes as a healthy carb? Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition, says that you need to avoid refined carbs like bagels as they’re made with white flour and white sugar and stripped of their nutrients and eat complex carbohydrates instead! “They break down slowly in the body because of their high-fiber content and help to keep blood sugar levels steady since they are digested slower. They’re also richer in nutrients than simple carbohydrates,” she tells POPSUGAR.
So, what’s the one carb you should eat for breakfast to help speed up weight loss? It’s quinoa! This healthy carb low in calories and high in fiber and protein, making it an excellent and healthful source of energy that will keep you full and focused longer. Not sure how to incorporate quinoa into your breakfasts? Here are some healthy quinoa-centric recipes that are super delicious and easy to make:
Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients:
½ cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup Almond Breeze Almondmilk, Original or Vanilla
1-2 cinnamon sticks
Pinch of salt
Piece of a vanilla bean, optional (don’t use vanilla extract)
Toppings:
Toasted sliced almonds
Toasted coconut flakes
Peaches
Raspberries
Maple syrup, optional
Extra splashes of almond milk, optional
More spices, to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), optional
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa
5 eggs
1 cup chopped bacon
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (from about 1/2 cup dry)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk, any kind you like (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
3 tablespoons almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups fresh blueberries
Ingredients:
3/4 cup dry quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup canned coconut milk
1/2 cup non-dairy milk, plus more for topping
1 date, chopped, or 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Whatever toppings you want! (banana, blueberries, peanut butter, coconut flakes, walnuts, chia seeds, chocolate chips)
