Photo by Shannon Stonger
By Shannon Stonger
Health Impact News
The energy and nourishment needed for a productive day starts at the breakfast table; so why not start the day off right with the many benefits of coconut? Coconut can be eaten in both sweet and savory dishes, taking the place of many of the foods you may already be eating to break the fast.
The forms of coconut are many. Using them individually or in combination with one another can produce health-giving, allergen-friendly versions of some of our favorite breakfast foods.
Coffee
Yes, coconut can be an integral part of your morning coffee! Coconut oil can be added to hot coffee along with coconut cream concentrate. This creates a rich beverage that will perk you up and keep you going.
Here are a few ways to incorporate even more coconut into your morning meal:
Spicy Pumpkin Pie Coconut Coffee
Non-Dairy Coconut-Mocha Coffee Creamer
Eggs
Topping the list of protein-packed breakfast foods is the egg in its myriad forms. Eggs can be fried or scrambled in coconut oil instead of butter or lard. Any type of coconut oil can be used but if you prefer a neutral flavor the Pure Coconut Oil or Organic Expeller Pressed oils can be used.
Besides the usual simple egg preparations listed above, there are many ways to consume coconut with your eggs:
Egg and Sausage Muffins – Utilizing coconut flour in a savory protein-packed muffin.
Quiche with Coconut Flour Crust – utilizing both coconut oil and coconut flour in the crust.
Veggie Scramble – Utilizing coconut oil to sauté the vegetables for this morning scramble.
Bread and Toast
Many of us enjoy toast or bread in the morning with our eggs. For a dairy-free toast, try switching the butter out for coconut oil. A sprinkle of Himalayan salt will mimic the salty rich flavor of butter while allowing you to add one more dose of coconut oil to your day.
Or, try these coconut-rich bread products:
Gluten-Free High Protein Coconut Flour Breadmaker Bread
French Toast with Caramelized Bananas
Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread with Red Palm Oil
Pancakes and Muffins
These breakfast baked goods are easily adaptable to include plenty of coconut products. Replace the fats in your favorite recipes with melted coconut oil or stir in shredded coconut for extra chew.
These coconut-rich pancakes and muffins can be enjoyed as well:
Grain-Free Pumpkin Coconut Pancakes – Utilizes coconut flour instead of wheat flour and can be cooked in coconut oil.
Gluten-Free Coconut Flour Pancakes – Utilizes coconut flour and coconut oil in a familiar “wheat-like” flavor.
Whole Wheat Date Muffins – Filled with coconut oil goodness.
Carrot Cake Muffins – Adds coconut oil and shredded coconut to a delicious whole grain muffin.
Gluten-Free Banana Almond Muffins – Uses coconut oil and coconut flour to make a wonderful, flavorful muffin.
Smoothies
A blended drink filled with nutrient-dense ingredients is a great way to start the day. Plenty of coconut oil and other coconut products can be had in these refreshing drinks. Adding eggs or egg yolks from soy-free pastured chickens will aid in emulsifying coconut oil into the rest of your smoothie. And be sure to check out this video which demonstrates the best way to add coconut oil to a cold beverage to avoid clumping.
There are many flavor creations to be had, such as:
Rise and Shine Breakfast Smoothie
And for something a little different try this smoothie come ice cream: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Breakfast Ice Cream.
Chia Puddings
A grain-free alternative to cereals, chia puddings incorporate nutritious chia seeds with milk or dairy-free ingredients. These can easily incorporate coconut oil, coconut shreds, and coconut cream concentrate.
Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Banana Chia Pudding – So many delicious flavors in one pudding, including plenty of coconut!
Coconut Chia Fruit Pudding – This allergen friendly chia pudding utilizes coconut milk and dried coconut.
Banana Coconut Chia Pudding – For a taste of the tropics and a light, no-cook breakfast try this tasty treat.
With the many forms of coconut – flour, oil, shreds, chips, and coconut cream concentrate – there are a plethora of ways in which you can incorporate this deeply nourishing food into the most important meal of the day.
About the Author
Shannon grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota. She studied chemistry in college, graduated, and married her husband one month later. They were then blessed with two baby boys within the first four years of marriage. Having babies gave their family a desire to return to the old paths – to nourish their family with traditional, homegrown foods; rid their home of toxic chemicals and petroleum products; and give their boys a chance to know a simple, sustainable way of life. They are currently building a homestead from scratch on two little acres in central Texas. There’s a lot to be done to become somewhat self-sufficient, but they are debt-free and get to spend their days living this simple, good life together with their four young children.