Try a Simple, Nutritious Breakfast

During COVID-19, I sometimes see patients from home via telemedicine, which allowed me to sit down and eat more variety of breakfasts than I was able to before. Even with time to eat different types of breakfast, I started having almost the same breakfast every morning — sliced strawberries, Honey Nut Cheerios® and a splash or two of whole milk.

The strawberries have been tasting great as they were coming into season this year. This breakfast includes three food groups: fruit, dairy and grain. It is a good example of how combining multiple food groups, including a good handful of fruit or vegetable, can make a delicious meal that satisfies for the whole morning. I also drink sparkling water, unflavored and unsweetened, with breakfast and through the rest of the morning.

Fun fact: Oranges, blueberries, bananas, tomatoes and peppers are technically considered berries. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are not. But it doesn’t matter if it’s considered a berry or not, all of these foods are delicious!

Healthy hint: Fruits and vegetables that are locally in season tend to taste better, are cheaper to buy, and travel less to get to you. Here in Minnesota, strawberries are in season during the early summer and cherries in the mid-summer. Whereas raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes and peppers are best in the late summer to early fall. Apples can then be found in season throughout the fall.