Kristen Oliveri

Superfoods. Need I say more? We all need them in our daily lives, but figuring out the best way to integrate them into your lifestyle may be challenging. A great way to get started is to have an easily adaptable list of superfood breakfast ideas that you can mix and match. 

But, first let’s recap, shall we?

What exactly is a superfood? The Cleveland Clinic explains that while there are no specific guidelines or definitions as to what a superfood is, it is loosely considered a specific natural food that is nutrient dense and low in calories. 

The more popular ones that often take center stage, include the likes of avocados, berries, chai seeds, dark leafy greens like spinach, garlic, salmon and so on.  

Eating foods like these may help overall health on a multitude of levels — everything from reducing inflammation to helping prevent certain cancers to improving sleep patterns. 

Curious about the other superfoods that get less play? A complete list of superfoods can be found here: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-a-superfood/amp/

Now that we’re armed with the nutritional benefits and information, on to the easy breakfast ideas that can help you boost your overall superfood intake. 

Quick and easy superfood breakfast ideas: 

  1. Superfood Smoothie. Break out the blender and get to work! Take a look at things you may have around the house. Seek out blueberries, blackberries, chia seeds and spinach. Mix it with some Greek yogurt or almond milk and add a dash of cinnamon or turmeric and you’ve got yourself a superfood smoothie. Need a recipe? Check out these options.  
  2. Egg & Avocado Toast. This only takes a few items and a short amount of time to throw together. Take your favorite healthy toast option and slather it with a nice helping of avocado. Then take your egg—whatever style your prefer—and place it on the toast. Sprinkle it with your favorite seasonings like salt, pepper or an everything bagel seasoning mix for extra umami. Want to make it even faster in the morning? Hard boil some eggs in the beginning of the week and use that as your egg topper. For a gourmet option with a fried egg, try this recipe. 
  3. Almond Flour Pumpkin Pancakes topped with Berries. Take your favorite almond-based packaged pancake mix like Simple Mills and include some canned pumpkin into the mix with a dash of cinnamon. Instead of the syrup, top the pancakes with mixed berries for an added superfood boost. Here’s a good King Arthur recipe for almond flour pancakes that you can use as your base and build from there. 
  4. Greek Yogurt Bowl topped with Almonds. One of the simplest bowls to make at breakfast begin with a high quality, plain Greek yogurt. Give yourself a nice scoop of the yogurt and have fun with the toppings. Some ideas can include a handful of almonds, a sprinkle of chia seeds or pumpkin seeds or sliced strawberries. Craving even more topping ideas? This article has your covered. 
  5. The Superfood Omelet. Omelets are a great way of packing nutrition into every bite and filling your stomach at the same time. Whisk together two to three eggs and let the mix and matching begin. Throw in a handful of spinach or kale for your green addition and top with a few slices of avocado. For a fun garden omelet recipe, try this one from the Cleveland Clinic. 
  6. The Superfood Bento Box. Don’t feel like cooking? Then this breakfast idea is for you. It’s all about the assembly. Take your favorite bento box (love this one from Amazon) or a good, old-fashioned plate, and begin compiling your favorite superfoods. Try some Mandarin orange slices, purple grapes, a hard-boiled egg and a handful of walnuts. Mix, match and repeat. 
  7. Quick Huevos Rancheros with Black Beans. Egg lovers can switch it up by making a quick huevos rancheros with a side of black beans to boost up the superfood quotient. Black beans are a wonderful superfood packed with fiber that promotes healthy digestion and can ward off heart disease and help manage diabetes. A fast and easy recipe can be found here. If you want to slim down the traditional dish, nix the tortillas for a protein-forward option instead. 
  8. Açaí bowl and cup of Green Tea. Açaí bowls can be made at home, made ahead, or even bought pre-made at places like Costco. For those who are inclined to make their own smoothie in a bowl, a great recipe can be found here. Similar to a yogurt bowl or smoothie, get creative and top your bowl with superfoods you have lying around the house. Pair your bowl with a cup of hot green tea, another superfood that pairs perfectly with this sweet breakfast dish. 
  9. Smoked Salmon with Ezekiel Toast. Fish lovers rejoice! Grab your freshest lox or smoked salmon and toast up a piece of Ezekiel bread that is packed with a number of nuts and seeds that fit the superfood bill, and you have an extremely quick and tasty breakfast item that should keep you full for several hours. Never heard of Ezekiel before? Read up on how the bread is a complete food here. 
  10. Make-ahead Chia Seed Pudding. This is a great idea for the meal-prepper who likes to do things ahead of time for more grab-and-go options on busy mornings. Chia seeds are a powerful superfood that can be blended with blueberries and almond milk for a breakfast that will fuel your day. It’s a great way to up the fiber game for healthy digestion. A simple EatingWell recipe to spark your creativity can be found here. 

Kristen Oliveri

Kristen is a New York native who received her BA in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston. She is a lover of ballroom dancing, traveling the world and cooking at home. She has worked as a financial journalist with a specialty in wealth management and a freelance travel, food, wine, entertainment and nutrition writer throughout her career. Follow her latest adventures on Instagram @krisoliveri.