When you wake up really hungry (like I always do!), having options for breakfast is great for getting food in you faster. As porridge is a real go to for us (even in summer!) I like to try keep the toppings varied especially on days when I don’t work. So I have compiled a reference list of nutritious and delicious porridge toppings so there is less thinking to do when you are tired and for a bit of inspiration too. I have also included a recipe for mine and Jasper’s current favourite breakfast – carrot and walnut porridge. It tastes kind of like carrot cake but it obviously much healthier than having cake for breakfast!
Porridge Topping Ideas
So here are some of my favourite porridge topping ideas*:
Seeds – Full of monounsaturated fats, seeds are a tasty and nutritious addition to porridge. Pumpkin, sunflower, chai and flax seed (also known as linseeds) are all really good options. My favourites are ground flax seed because Jaspy can have them too (whole nuts are a choking risk to babies).
Ground nuts or nut butters – Peanut butter, cashew butter and almond butter all work really well in porridge as do ground almonds and walnuts. They also make the porridge really filling because they are full of energy and healthy fats.
Vegetables – Choose vegetables that can easily be grated in to the porridge, I find carrot and courgette to be really good options.
Fruits – Pretty much any fruit would taste great in porridge but some of my favourites are grated apples, berries, mashed banana and dried apricots.
Some other tasty topping that don’t fit in the other categories are desiccated coconut, yoghurt and ground cinnamon.
Porridge is traditionally made with oats but using quinoa instead is a great way to mix things up. Or overnight oats are also a good option if you are in a rush in the morning or prefer cold breakfasts to warm ones.
Carrot and Walnut Porridge Recipe (Serves 2)
To make the carrot and walnut porridge you will need:
- 1 cups of oats
- 1 cup of milk (any will do, I usually use a coconut milk for this porridge)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 grated carrot
- ½ tsp mixed spice
- 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 30g ground walnuts
- A handful of raisins
Method:
- Add the oats, milk, water, carrot and mixed spice to a pan and cook on a medium-low heat for several minutes
- Once your porridge has reached the desired consistency (i.e most of the liquid has been absorbed), stir through the desiccated coconut and ground walnuts.
- Serve the porridge in bowls, sprinkle the raisins on top and enjoy!
I also wanted to add that I always add Jaspy’s vitamin drops to his breakfast too because he’s usually pretty good at eating it all. He has the Nature and Nurture Baby and Children Vitamin Drops.
Are you a breakfast person and do you like porridge? I would love to know if you do and what your favourite porridge topping combinations are in the comments or on facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Thanks for reading, Jen x
*Some of the toppings suggested are allergy foods so if you have any concerns, consult a GP or nutrition before eating.
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