This is the time of year when we all look at our waistlines and sigh (if you’re reading this and thinking ‘not me’ – then lucky you!)

It’s the time when we give up all those things we enjoy in the hope that THIS will be the year that we attain our body goals.  The last of the Christmas chocolates and booze finally gone, we fill our cupboards with fresh veg, seeds, perhaps some coconut water or low fat yoghurts as a special treat…

I’m a big believer in starting the day right.  A healthy breakfast is great motivation to stay strong and stick to the straight and narrow.  Let’s face it, if you’ve had a big, greasy full english for brekkie, then it’s very easy to write off the whole day as far as healthy eating goes and to put off the start of the diet until tomorrow.

These breakfasts don’t work miracles but they are quick and easy to make and they’ll give you a spring in your step and a start to the day which sets you in the right direction.

1) Boiled egg

A boiled egg. Such a simple concept but with SO many cooking variations out there.  For me, I add my pierced egg to a small pan of boiling water and at the same time put a slice of wholemeal toast in.

4.5 minutes later, out comes the egg, to be eaten with buttered toast soldiers dipped in the still runny yellow yolk and a little salt and pepper. Pretty much perfection as breakfasts go.

2) Smoothies

Filling up on a few portions of your five a day is pretty satisfying, both in terms of appetite and(perhaps more importantly) the rather smugness-inducing knowledge that you’ve been good to your body.

It’s not just your body that will feel better though, who can help feeling a little bit happy in the presence of the wonderful colours and smells of fresh fruit?

Here are a few ideas to get your started…

Banana Smoothie

Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie

Smoothie Packs

3) Granola

There are some great varieties on sale – check out the options at your local supermarket or health food shop. Mixed with some fresh berries and creamy natural yoghurt, this is a great way to fill up on nutrients and to fill up till lunch.

Alternatively, have a go at making your own granola, filled with your favourite things.  Here’s an example to get your started 🙂

Sunshine Granola

4) Fresh Fruit

Talk about unprocessed, right? No kitchen skills required, no cooking or long list of ingredients.  Just beautiful, fresh fruit, full of goodness and absolutely delicious.

Grapefruit is one of my favourites.  I always used to add sugar but one day decided to try it without and now find it tastier ‘au natural’.

Why not try some beautiful, juicy melon or mango?

Some sliced pineapple, some papaya with a squeeze of lime juice or even just a good old banana?

5) Something on toast

There is a world of possibility when you start adding things to toast.  Marmalade, jam, Marmite – obvs.  But here are a few other ideas to keep things interesting…

Banana and peanut butter

Mashed avocado with a squeeze of lemon

Mushrooms

Tomatoes

Baked Beans

Scrambled eggs

Nothing ground breaking – just a few of the healthier breakfasts that I enjoy and hopefully a bit of inspiration to brighten up your morning routine.

Here’s to us all achieving our perfect bodies this year! 🙂