Despite being cold for the whole second half of the day, I actually wake up pretty hot in the morning thanks to my giant down comforter. [Perhaps that means I should get in bed in the afternoon!?]
Thus, I haven’t really transitioned away from cold breakfasts yet.
This morning I made a bowl of yogurt topped with Whole Foods 365 Wheat Waffles cereal. I’m pretty picky when I buy cereals. The ingredient list must be super short and the sugars less than 10 grams. [No protein isolates or fake fiber allowed.] When I went shopping with Karen last week I helped her choose one and it was pretty fun to analyze a few different brands. These wheat waffles (aka generic brand Chex) fit the bill. Maybe I’ll have cereal with milk tomorrow!
Also in the bowl: chia seeds, dried cherries, banana, sunflower butter and a sprinkle of Hemp Plus granola.
Golden Moon Vanilla Mint tea on the side – love that flavor and the whiffs of vanilla that emerge
The weekend is almost here!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
have a great Thursday, Kath!!!!
Kristy @ KristyRuns says
I’m definitely still eating smoothie bowls for breakfast…even though it’s 20 degrees here in Atlanta! I love Puffins cereal, because there’s fiber, only 5 grams of sugar, and it’s delicious! Definitely gotta watch out for crazy sugar in cereal.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I know, thank goodness for a shortened work week right after the holidays! Haha 😉
Janelle says
Mmmmm yet another great breakfast 🙂 , may I ask y your house is so cold ??
KathEats says
No reason – I just get really cold in the afternoons
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Thanks for the cereal suggestion! I also like to make sure my cereals are low in sugar, so I’m going to look for that one next time I’m at Whole Foods. 🙂
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
This looks like a bowl o’ variety!
I vote for bedtime in the afternoon. 🙂
Cait @ beyond bananas says
Love your k mug! I woke up freezing this morning. Cracking the window made it star chilly!!
Katie says
I woke up sweating in the middle of the night but I think it was from my dreams. I was chilly inside yesterday afternoon despite it being very warm for Nebraska. I solved that problem by baking, cooking and running the dishwasher. Record highs today in the 60s today, we’re actually headed to the zoo today. Have a wonderful day, the weekend is near!
Ali G. says
Breakfast looks great! I tried ONOIAJ for the first time today! Instead of milk, I used chocolate soy milk, it was so delicious. Thanks for sharing all of your healthy breakfast recipes.
khushboo says
This cereal sounds great! I can’t have cereal with milk- I don’t find it as satisfying (or filling) as cereal with yogurt!
Sarah says
Hi Kath,
I started reading when I was on bedrest pregnant with my daughter. She’s four months old now and we look forward to your posts everyday! Thanks for inspiring my husband and I to eat more “real food” including making our own baby food for the little one. Have a great Thursday!
Sarah
KathEats says
Thanks Sarah!! Glad you and your little one are doing well now 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I have to be careful about buying cereal because as hard as I try not to let it happen, it always winds up as my dinner for the next week… 😉
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
Love chia seeds too!
Emily @LivingLongfellow says
vanilla tea..yum 🙂 I’m on the hunt for cereal with lots of fiber but also tastes good. Any ideas?
KathEats says
Why do you need extra fiber? Anything whole grain should provide a natural amount. If you buy the kinds pumped up with inulin (aka Kashi GoLean) you might get unpleasant bowel symptoms. I used to buy these wraps years ago with tons of extra fiber and they were not kind to my GI tract! That’s when I started reading more about added fiber and decided it was a classic example of how companies take something good for you in nature and add it in copious amounts to other foods.
I’d amp up the fiber naturally to a whole grain cereal with some chia or flax and fresh fruit!
Rachel says
Thanks for this info, Kath! I was going to ask what you meant by “fake fiber.” Are there any other ingredients besides inulin we should look out for to avoid this?
KathEats says
Here’s a good article on them!
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/11/health/la-he-nutrition11-2010jan11
inulin, maltodextrin, polydextrose, soy hulls, oat fibers, sorghum fibers, chicory root
These are “all natural” but I still don’t think they should be added to foods just for the sake of being able to put “high fiber” on the label. Like the article says, they are just fillers – they lack nutrients. I don’t think they are BAD for you because they are derivatives of real food, but I think yogurt and cereals with them cross the boundaries of real food
Emily @LivingLongfellow says
I was going fore more fiber to get things moving! Sounds like the added fiber gets things moving a bt too much. Good to know!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I mix in a 1/2 c. of Nature’s Path “Smart Bran” into another cereal if I’m feeling the need to get more fiber.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
yes, yes, thank GOODNESS the weekend is almost here!! this hasn’t been the best week, so i’m looking forward to it being behind me.
christine @ Oatmeal in my bowl says
Vanilla mint and wheat waffles… sounds like a good combo. Still 80 degrees in my neck of the woods. 😉
Katie says
Kath, do you take a multivitamin? Your comment about too much fiber caught my attention. I was just looking at my multivitamin and it the label says mega multivitamin. Looking at the DV % I’m wondering if I am getting too much of some vitamins and minerals by taking the vitamin in addition to my “healthy” eating. What is your experience or opinion with vitamins?
KathEats says
I do take a multi, although I often do it every other day for that reason – because I eat well. But even when I use to log every bite when I was calorie counting, I wouldn’t hit the DV for many of the important things (like iron and calcium) so I think it’s a good idea to take one. Actually the more processed foods you eat (fortified everything – cereals, luna bars, etc.) the less likely you are to need one.
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I can do a cold breakfast any day, as long as it’s paired with a hot bevvy!
If I do cereal, it’s definitely got to be on top of yogurt and have other sources of protein and substantial things for me to feel like it’s a meal! And a “serving size” of cereal is a joke otherwise!
I bought my husband a box of Nature’s Path cereal on Monday, which he has eaten with milk the past few mornings- and I it’s almost empty. His idea of serving size is to fill the bowl, which is really about 3 “servings.”
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
hmmm I love big warm comforters! Happy Thursday 🙂
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Wheat waffles sounds a lot better than “chex”
Amanda says
I was also cold for most of yesterday. I live in an older building, so the windows are pretty drafty. Finally, I remembered I have a heating pad and ended up re-heating that about a million times throughout the afternoon. I need to invest in some good slippers though. My feet are always freezing!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I am also still eating a cold breakfast ‘mash’…usually I have moved to warming it up by now but our weather here has been fluctuating from spring to winter rather oddly… I think I am a bit mixed up! lol A warm cuppa always does the trick!
Molly says
Hi!
Do you use your coffee press to make your teas in the morning? I just bought one via opensky, and would love to know if teas can be made with it as well as coffee.
Thanks!
KathEats says
I use this for my tea: http://www.adagio.com/teaware/ingenuiTEA_teapot.html
But you can def. use a french press too!
Lindzjane115 says
I got the ingenuiTEA for Christmas! I’m loving how easy it makes brewing looseleaf teas! (and loving the adagio teas I got, too!)
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I’m glad I’m not the only one in WF analyzing the nutritional info of every cereal. I have to find the perfect balance of fiber and low sugar!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
breakfast looks great!! I love bananas with cereal.
[email protected] says
That tea sounds great! I have been seeing chia seeds everywhere and I was wondering what the health benefits are? Your breakfast looks delicious, I never really look at the sugar content of cereals, I don’t buy cereals covered in sugar I usually just go with what looks healthy, I will be sure to check now that I have a number to go on, thanks for the tip!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Hooray for the almost weekend 🙂 Winter is the perfect time for the daily warm oats routine. And tasty, too!
Liza says
Hi Kath! Wondering what your take on the Paleo diet is (diet as in way of eating rather than strictly for weight loss)? I know you’re a big fan of whole grains, etc. so I was curious what your perspective is on eliminating those (or at least limiting them). My co-worker eats primal (similar to paleo with slight differences), so he avoids all grains and his diet is focused on protein (via grass fed meat, fish, eggs, etc.), loads of vegetables and fruit. He has done a lot of research about it and believes the stomach irritation caused by grains/flours/etc (whether you feel it or not) is detrimental over time. He’s not militant about it but follows that way of eating 90 percent of the time. We had a challenge at work where a handful of us followed his eating plan for a month.. It was tough at first not having oatmeal for breakfast, but after a few weeks I really felt amazing! I had a lot more energy and felt so much less bloated (even though I wasnt someone who rarely ate bread or processed foods to begin with)! I was sluggish the first few days at the gym but once my body adjusted to not being pumped up with sugars it performed better than ever. From a RD’s perspective, what are your thoughts on this?
Liza says
* was someone who rarely ate bread!
KathEats says
well i haven’t ever really eaten it so I can’t speak to the energy. But when I think about diets, I go back maybe 100-500 years, not millions, for answers. My grandfather was 92 when he passed away and healthy as a horse. My Uncle Mel is 101 (or 102!? I forget!) and also still very healthy. They both have eaten grains their whole lives.
I also think that grains are plants that are full of nutrients – B vitamins, fiber, protein, phytonutrients – and I wouldn’t want to exclude those from my diet. My GI tract has never felt bad and I have tons of energy, so I don’t think I’d ever cut something out for the heck of it.
[email protected] for the Soul says
wowwwwwwww your family has amazing longevity!!!!
Emily says
hi kath! i have a quick [kind of random] question for you. your nut butters…like nuttzo and wild squirrel [both of which i have + are delicious! thanks for introducing me to them!]…do you keep them in the refrigerator to prevent separation? or do you just leave them in the pantry? thank you!
KathEats says
I do not! That makes them hard and cold and not enjoyable for eating 🙂
Emily says
ok thank you! i usually end up microwaving some to use on my toast and such….but i still dont think its as good! no more fridge for me 🙂
Patricia says
I’m at work right now, so I can’t verify this, but I am 99% sure my jar of Trader Joe’s sunflower seed butter says “refrigerate after opening” on it. Why would it say that if it’s not absolutely necessary? I know I’ve seen that on other jars of more healthy-type (i.e. not Jif) nut butters as well.
I’m all for spreadability when it comes to nut butter, but I tend to follow what the label says….
KathEats says
*Disclaimer: for food safety purposes, it’s best to follow the jar recommendations*
However, I think they say that more for oil separation than spoilage. I’ve never had a nut butter go bad on me..
Kavi @ Lab to Fab! says
You’ve got me thinking… I’ve never checked cereal boxes for sources of protein or fiber. I just assumed it was natural! I’ll have to pay closer attention next time I go grocery shopping!
Shannon @ My Place In The Race says
Loving the green stripes! And breakfast looks amazing (as usual) 😛
Her Sunday says
Love how much your motivating me to eat healthy every day! Thanks!
KathEats says
🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Yes the weekend is almost here and for a short week, it already feels like a long one. Lol
Love the minty stripes in the pic!
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
I wish I could eat a cold breakfast, I am always freezing in the mornings! Maybe I should just wrap myself in my down comforter while I eat a cold breakfast!
Katie says
Again, I love your linens! Happy Thursday. (Oh and I fully support getting back into bed to stay warm) 🙂
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
Great looking breakfast to gear up for the almost-weekend!
Roxanne says
When I was a kid, my mom bought only 3 types of cereals, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes and Puffed Rice in a bag. BUT sometimes she would let my brother and I choose our own cereals, so that would mean, Honey Comb or Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, anything colorful and sugary. We would eat it all in one day, bowl after bowl or the Honey Combs we would eat by the handful like chips, until the whole box was done and empty. Mind you this only happened once in a blue moon, maybe twice a year.
Tracy says
I grew up exactly the same way, but we had Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes and Cheerios ;).
Our sugar cereal “treats” also disappeared in a day!
Lauren says
I tried to go back to find out what book you said you read in Jamaica and I can’t seem to find it…HELP!
Ali G. says
I’m pretty sure it was, She’s come undone By Wally Lamb
KathEats says
Ali is correct! Still reading it..
VeggieGirl says
Cute photos, love the ‘K’ mug!
Isabel says
Do you find yourself hungrier sooner if you don’t add some kind of protein to your oatmeal? What is your trick to having breakfast satisfy you longer?
KathEats says
Well oatmeal has protein and I make it with milk and serve it with peanut butter, so the answer is no because I never have oatmeal without protein! I think the trick to a satisfying breakfast is a variety of food groups (protein, carbs, fat) and not skimping on portions – you need to feel full for it to last until lunch.
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
Love how you did up these pics! You’re so creative. 😉
Susan (Oliepants) says
That is a lovely bowl of breakfast! I love having different textures and tastes in one bowl! 🙂
Kris says
When we lived in Germany I would come home from work cold and tired, and nap under my down comforter for an hour or so. I always woke up refreshed and much warmer, so it worked for me. Right now I have the dog under the comforter since our house is cold right now w/ a FL cold snap (he’s an Italian greyhound and has little fur and no fat). He’s so happy …
[email protected] for the Soul says
Mmmm I’ve been loving cold breakfasts too~like overnight oats today, and other days something like crazy yogurt messes/parfaits on a piece of peanut buttered toast. 🙂 So good! But then it is really warm in cali~
cay says
Question – would you say hemp plus your favorite non-Cville Clusters granola? And if you had to pick a favorite all-time snack (or all-time food) what do you think you would choose? (I know hard question, multiple answers are great!) THANKS, happy almost-Friday, and LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog; hands-down favorite website. I only wish there more updates every day!
KathEats says
Yes, I really like the airy crunch of all of the Nature’s Path granola. Def. second to Cluster.
All time favorite snack is greek yogurt with granola!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Sometimes just a bowl of cereal with milk really hits the spot!
Sarah says
It’s been so warm here this winter – we’ve had a few 1 foot + snow storms…but other than that it’s been unseasonably warm. Today the high is supposed to be 65…in Denver…in January! I have been catching myself drinking iced tea/iced coffee because it’s so warm in the office (the heaters are set to come on certain months and not others), so strange!
Angel7 says
I look for food products with less than 10 grams of sugar as well. I prefer if it is even less than 7 grams, but I am happy with 10 or less. I am not a big advocate for sugar anyways, so the less sugar the better. Plus, I do not give our daughter hardly any sugary foods.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Theresa says
What types of cereals/brands do you recommend? I’m interested in trying some new kinds out and would really like your help/opinion! 🙂
KathEats says
Well it’s hard for me to recommend them without being there in store.
In general, anything like Chex, Cheerios, Shredded Wheat or bran/wheat flakes is great with simple ingredients. I tend to stay away from the $5/box organic brands, but many of them are made with real food. I also avoid anything with added protein/fiber (Kashi GoLean/Crunch, Fiber One, etc).
Theresa says
thanks so much! I’ve been buying kashi for a long time, thinking that it was better for me than the other brands, but now I see that your choices are better!
how much chia seeds and peanut butter do you normally put on top?
KathEats says
It’s definitely not the worst out there – just not the most natural.
I often add half a tbsp of chia and 1 tbsp of nut butter
Trisha says
Just curious…. what kindof yogurt do you typically eat? Do you find your yogurt bowls hold you over?? I’m so afraid to stray from my oats w fruit n egg white bowls!
KathEats says
I prefer either Whole Foods Organic Low-Fat or Stonyfield’s Oikos greek yogurt. Both hold me over extremely well so long as I put a lot on top of them
Shana says
I thought I was making an uber-healthy choice with Kashi GoLean and was so disappointed when I finally read the whole list of ingredients and discovered it contains protein isolates. Reading your blog has definitely inspired me to EAT REAL FOOD. My body is much happier for it. THANK YOU!
KathEats says
: )
Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie says
Super interesting on your criteria for cereal! Generally, I’m pretty savvy when it comes to nutrition labels, but sometimes cereals throw me for a loop with their excess of fibers and syrups.
Is there anything else in particular that you look for when it comes to cereal?
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
So many times generic cereals are just as good as the brands and so much less expensive!
Shari says
Thanks for the advice on choosing cereals – I always focus on fiber content but I find a lot of brands seem to have a moderate amount of fiber and seem very similar and very few have a high fiber content (I usually am not a huge fan of these or get bored of them).