We all know porridge is a steadfast staple to get you through the day.
With the winter chill setting in, a warm bowl of porridge will not only keep you full but will have you fighting fit against the cold and flu season.
Despite combatting a tummy-rumble, we’re not averse to adding some flavour or spice to pimp our porridge.
Who says eating well has to be boring?
Try one of these food combos for the breakfast bowl that’ll keep you licking your lips for more…
Peanut Butter
Who said peanut butter is just a spread? We love a tbsp. of the sweet stuff, and if you buy the almond based jar, you’re keeping in line with a clean eating plan. Add a dollop to warm porridge and stir in the peanut butter for a tasty treat.
Cinnamon and Chopped Banana
If you have a sweet tooth, try adding some chopped banana and cinnamon to your porridge mix. If you like a sticky soft texture, add the chopped banana to your porridge straight after the milk, cooking the whole thing together. If you’d rather firmer bananas, add them once the porridge is finished cooking. As well as being packed with potassium, the fruit provides a slow energy release.
Sprinkle with cinnamon for a sweet aromatic kick!
Raisins and Honey
For a touch of granny’s cooking, adding some raisins to your oats before you put the bowl in the microwave! After they’ve plumped up and burst to add a natural sweetness, dribble a tsp. of honey over the top for a deliciously sweet treat that won’t wreak havoc on the waist.
Almond Milk and Grated Apple
An apple a day keep the doctor (and boredom) away. With all the varieties of milk on the market, mix up your breakfast routine with a soya variety, or almond pick. Grate an apple and fold into the porridge once heated for an added crunch.
Dried Apricots and Chopped Pecans
More than a quick snack to munch on the bus, dried apricots and chopped pecans are an easy way to liven any breakfast bowl. Simply add after heating the porridge for a crunch.
Apricots are also an excellent source of several important nutrients including fibre, potassium and antioxidants, as well as aiding eyesight. The health benefits of pecans include reducing heart disease as they are high in healthy unsaturated fat and just a handful a day can lower “bad” cholesterol.
Stewed Rhubarb and Brown Sugar
If you have some leftover rhubarb from baking a tart, this is the perfect way to use it up! Add the stewed rhubarb to your porridge for and sprinkle with brown sugar for a bittersweet taste or handy snack between meals.
Rhubarb is also known to aid digestion, which teamed with a mug of hot water and lemon can keep your tummy happy and healthy to kick-start your day.
Christmas Cranberries
With Christmas coming, why not add some festive cheer to your breakfast bowl? Dried cranberries are packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may protect the brain from age-related memory and coordination loss. Stir them into warm porridge and sprinkle with honey for a tasty treated packed with added benefits!
