By Emily Jakubcik, Arvida Head of Food Service

One of the nice things about the cooler months is having a warm breakfast. If you usually eat a cold breakfast all year round, you might want to mix things up a bit by introducing some warm options.

The benefits of a warm breakfast if you’re over 65

• Improved nutritional intake: Eating a hot breakfast can help older people consume more essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which are important for overall good health. [1]
• Increased energy levels: The carbohydrates in a hot breakfast can provide a quick source of energy, while protein can help sustain energy levels throughout the morning. [2]

How to design a hearty winter breakfast

Malnourishment is a concern for many older people, which increases the risk of disease, slows illness recovery and decreases general wellbeing. Specifically, older people often miss out on essential vitamins and minerals, and don’t eat enough protein.

A well-designed breakfast can make a big difference to the quality of your daily nutrition. It can supply protein and a range of important micronutrients, such as calcium, and vitamin D.

Good breakfast ingredients include fruit, egg (protein and vitamin D), butter (vitamins A, D, E, B12, K2), nuts and seeds (protein, fats, calcium), milk and/or cheese (calcium and protein), bread (vitamin B) and oats (fibre and B vitamins).

Try these ideas during winter to get protein and micronutrients at the start of your day:

• Porridge: 50g oats, 350ml full fat milk, 15g skimmed milk powder, 15g nuts/seeds, handful of berries.
• Eggs on toast: Two slices of toast, generous spread of butter, spinach and scrambled eggs made with cheese and milk, topped with crushed seeds. Serve with a glass of warm milk.
• Omelette: Make with full fat milk and add in cheese, red peppers, and green leafy vegetables for additional vitamins. Serve with a warm glass of milk.

[1] Study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2014

[2] Study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash