The Perfect Breakfast for Teachers
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a perfect breakfast for teachers? We all know how important a good breakfast is. We know that when we eat a healthy breakfast with protein and fiber, we have good energy through the morning. We have sharper focus and attention when teaching lessons and conferring with students, and we have more patience and persistence when working with students who have challenging behaviors.
Easier said than done. We’re often rushed in the morning, which makes it hard to cook up a decent breakfast. We may have kids we’re trying to get out the door at the same time we’re trying to get out the door. It’s so easy to grab a bagel or pastry and eat in the car. I suppose this might be better than nothing, but carbs without fiber are quickly digested, so any energy we get from such a breakfast will be short-lived.
What if there was a breakfast option that was easy (and quick) to make, didn’t cost much money, was packed with protein and fiber, and was yummy? If you typically eat eggs for breakfast, this can also be a nice alternative.
I’d like to make the case for the humble bowl of oatmeal.
Wait…hang with me for a second. This isn’t the oatmeal you had as a kid—lumpy and bland. This is grown-up oatmeal—complex and delicious.
The Basics
First off, if it’s been a while since you prepared oatmeal, it’s not that tough. I recommend getting the one-minute version. It’s the same as regular oatmeal (which only takes five minutes to cook, by the way), it’s just cut up into smaller pieces, so it cooks more quickly.
The basic recipe is easy enough. Boil one cup of water and add a half cup of oatmeal. I use more like 1 ¼ cup of water because the extra ingredients I add soak up moisture. You can experiment to find your own preference. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook while stirring for a minute (or five if you’re using regular oatmeal). That’s it!
You might be worried about feeling bloated or gassy from oatmeal. If so, start with a smaller portion of oatmeal at first. Once your gut biome adjusts, you shouldn’t have any trouble!
Now the Good Stuff!
Once your oatmeal has cooked, you’re good to go. Basic oatmeal is fine, but it’s a bit bland. There are so many things you can add to it—and this is the best part!
For starters, I add a touch of honey or brown sugar and sometimes a bit of cinnamon. I then add in a variety of fruit, nuts and grains, which make the oatmeal taste so much better and add tons of nutrition. There are so many possibilities to consider.
Fresh and/or Frozen Fruit
There are so many kinds of fruit that work well with oatmeal. Fresh fruit is the best, but you might also stock your freezer with a variety of frozen fruits. Then you can simply open a bag, sprinkle in a few, and have plenty left for your next batch.
Bananas
Apples
Blueberries
Cherries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Peaches
Many more…
Dried Fruit
Another great addition to oatmeal is dried fruit. Like frozen fruits, these are easy to store. Simply keep a few of your favorites on hand, and mix them in.
Raisins
Cranberries
Dates
Mango
Apricots
Pineapple
Figs
Many more…
Nuts and Grains
There are also tons of nuts and grains to add to oatmeal. These contain incredible nutrition—fiber, protein, and vitamins. They also add texture, making your oatmeal more interesting and satisfying. You can buy things like chia, hemp, and pumpkin seeds in resealable bags and keep them in a cupboard. They might cost a bit to buy initially, but you only need to use a small amount each morning, so they last a really long time. Make sure you get things like pumpkin and sunflower seeds that have already been shelled, and avoid toasted or salted nuts. These are all great snack foods but don’t work well in oatmeal.
Walnuts
Pecans
Almonds
Cashews
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Wheat germ
Many more …
Keep Experimenting
This morning, I had dates, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and crushed hemp seeds in my oatmeal, along with a dusting of brown sugar. Last week, we had frozen cherries around, and those were delicious. (There’s no need to thaw them ahead of time…the hot oatmeal does that for you!) Next week, I think I’ll try some dried apricots.
Once you get a few ingredients in the freezer and in the cupboard, you can keep experimenting to find new and interesting combinations. If you’re feeding your own kids in the morning, you can let them pick which extra ingredients they want, so they can customize their breakfast—without you needing to prepare everyone a separate meal.
Oatmeal is quick, easy, delicious, and it’s packed with nutrition that will give you long-lasting positive energy. If you want to explore other great breakfast ideas for educators, click here. Remember, eating a good breakfast isn’t just about you—your students benefit when you have good energy and patience. As I say in Rekindle Your Professional Fire, self-care is not a selfish act. Your students need you to take good care of yourself!
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