Some easy "how" hints for protein breakfast

Protein works, – if you work it. So let’s get serious about breakfast.

breakfastberries 150x150120 Power Breakfast Recipe 2: How on Protein

Beyond Carbs

Fruit and carbs taste great, but the bottom line for brain efficiency: protein for breakfast works best. Yes, I know what many of you are going to say after that last breakfast post- “Good thinking, been there, just can’t do that.”

The simple solution for protein breakfast: think “protein,” not just “breakfast.”

Many subsets of protein work, so you can be creative. Oftentimes breakfast is just too complicated. Let’s simplify it with some suggestions. I will list a few, you can check out the possibilities, then I will give you the Secret Recipe for the infamous Parker Power Protein Breakfast [yes, joke], – just don’t tell anyone – it’s a secret.

Some easy protein breakfast solutions, especially helpful for those ADHD folks who just can’t eat breakfast, but react strongly to those stimulant medications with appetite suppression.

Protein = Neurotransmitters

For more science behind the necessity for protein breakfast and more on this neurotransmitter subject head over to the Neuroscience Page here at CorePsych Blog As you may have guessed, neurotransmitters control all brain activities: thinking emotions and most actions.

Children’s Rule #1

- First most important rule, and this is a RULE:
Get the child involved in the process of selection. Take them to the store, have them think about it.

- This second part is not a rule, -it is obvious if you have done #1: Have fun with this, make it a project and work with it until you both get it. Take some time.

- Breakfast is not just a girl problem, many guys sneak past breakfast.

- Then, start with the absolute easiest solution, not the best, but better than pop-tarts or nothing:

Protein Bars

Look for the one with the least carbs. Some of the protein bars have a whiff of protein and a ton of pure carbs. They can eat this on the bus. If having breakfast/protein with meds, best to take protein before taking meds, not after meds. Many possibilities exist, these two are very easy to manage:
- Cliff Builder 20G Protein Bars [see them in the Bookstore link here for details]

- and the excellent, gluten free, 20 G protein, low carb Think Thin Bars with multiple [6] excellent flavors.

- Next best: Ready Made Protein Drinks. These are improving everyday, some are better than others. Give your child a chance to try a few flavors. You try a few. This is a 30 sec breakfast, and again, better than 0. Boost, Atkins Advantage, many are available in the same area as protein or supplements in your grocery.

- A bit more time: Anything protein from eggs to chicken to cold cuts. No, cold pizza does not count.

Shakes

If you are having trouble with these previous two on a taste/consistency complaint, a shake may become your fall back position. Certainly shakes are a great first choice:

Shakes have the advantage of providing a taste you can blend, and if they need it sweeter, try this one:
Spirutein – this one, as you can see from the reviews, is nothing really special, but the Cookies and Cream flavor can get you over the breakfast speed bump. I am not trying to sell this here, you can get it almost anywhere, but this is what it looks like. It works often.

OK, I know you are waiting, Drum roll please…

Parker Power Protein Breakfast

I have had about 50% acceptance/luck with this Power Protein concoction, and confess that I do much arm twisting with adolescents and kids. About 60% acceptance with adults. I suggest and describe this first to see how noses turn, then go to the less acceptable choices I just reviewed. This is a very healthy protein breakfast, and it solves the problem of no-time-in-the-morning.

So what is the recipe with the Parker Power Protein Breakfast thing?

It looks horrible, but remember, that can make it fun.
1. Take out a cereal bowl and pour in egg whites, or stir up two eggs [or more].
2. Pour in a good amount of olive oil, your favorite cold-pressed, etc., for taste and to prevent/diminish sticking.
3. Salt and pepper, hot sauce, onions, cheese, your call for the flavor trimming.
4. Then, don’t laugh, pour in some [Old Fashioned] oatmeal. Not a lot, just enough to give it some body, chewy consistency. As I said, it looks bad, but so do cookies before you bake them.
5. Throw, – er, place in the microwave for about 1.5 min, and go take your shower. Done.
Don’t eat too fast, will burn your tongue [that is why the shower fits in there]. Great on a winter morning. Easy in the summer.

It comes out like a great big, chewy cookie, without the sweet taste, and will last until about 2 PM. – No feeling like you have to eat a door knob around 10-11 AM. Surprisingly, some cheerleaders love it!

Give this a try. It might be a Boy Scout, guy thing, but many of my women/mom patients love the ease, the taste and timing.

And, don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret.

Flaxseed Meal for Fiber – Protein Breakfast Needs Proper Bowel Health

At your grocery, just down the flour aisle, right next to the cornmeal, is flaxseed meal. Two tablespoons on any of these breakfast recipes will help keep your #2 in the 18-24 hr Transit time range. For more details on the value of flaxseed try this interesting Flaxseed Meal link.

Give these a try, then drop a note below to tell us what you think about your new breakfasts… Protein breakfasts can easily work if you simply pay attention to easy details.
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