How often do you hear the expression “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? So, if this meal is so important, why do only 58.3% of Canadians eat breakfast?
Whether you want to better manage your grocery budget or simply don’t have the time, we want to show you how to make nutritious snacks or meals using plant-based yogurts made locally in Ontario, Canada. Each snack or meal can be prepared in a fraction of the time and is both delicious and healthy.
Is our health in crisis?
According to Statista, 17% of Canadians report they have reduced their food consumption. Rising food costs are to blame for Canadians not eating healthy meals or not eating at all. Furthermore, much like during the Great Depression, Canadians are stockpiling their food, with 61% looking for cheaper food products.
While some Canadians are cutting back on meat consumption because of inflation, 11% have entirely eliminated meat from their diet. More people, for various reasons, are turning to vegan, pescetarian, and vegetarian diets.
However, regardless of whether your diet is entirely plant-based or not, it should include a healthy breakfast if you want to provide yourself the best start to your day.
Delicious Plant-Based Breakfast Bowls
While vegans generally avoid eating products made from dairy, there are several breakfast options that provide plant-based alternatives. They are perfect for this lifestyle choice, and they taste delicious.
In the following, we outline several plant-based breakfast bowls for your enjoyment—no matter your dietary preference.
1. Berry almond yogurt bowl
- Yogurt
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Sliced almonds
This breakfast bowl uses a mixture of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and sliced almonds. Berries have powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins believed to delay cellular ageing and help the heart by blocking the formation of blood clots. The berries are mixed with one cup of yogurt for a bright beginning to your morning routine.
2. Mixed berry yogurt bowl
- Frozen or fresh blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries
- Yogurt
- Maple syrup, honey or agave
- Chocolate gingerbread granola or cinnamon raisin granola
This mixed berry yogurt bowl begins with a (vanilla-recommended) yogurt base. Your preferred berry mix is added to the top ¼ of the bowl with the granola sprinkled underneath. To add a little flair, drizzle honey, agave or maple syrup to the top to add a bit of sweetness to the mixture.
3. Tropical yogurt bowl
- Chia Seeds
- Yogurt
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Coconut flakes
A tropical yogurt bowl begins with slicing kiwi, then cubing the pineapple into bite-sized pieces. These bits of fruit rest on top of a yogurt-filled bowl and are sprinkled with chia seeds. Shaved coconut or coconut flakes add a sweet yet nutty tropical delight to the dish. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fibre. They can improve your heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health. The fibre in chia seeds takes time to digest and makes you feel satisfied longer, helping with weight loss and decreasing your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease. This breakfast bowl is light, filling, and refreshing.
4. Chia and banana almond butter breakfast bowl
- Almond butter
- Bananas
- Chia Seeds
This breakfast dish is simple and easy to make. If you are looking for something ooey gooey to begin your day, this will quickly become your best friend.
The chia and almond butter breakfast bowl begins with half a bowl filled with cut-up bananas and the other half containing yogurt. Chia seeds are lightly sprinkled over the contents, while almond butter is drizzled over the top.
Some people slightly warm the bananas and drizzle the almond butter over the top to add that contrasting warmth to the meal. However, this may affect the yogurt’s temperature, providing too great a contrast between warm and cold. It may also melt the yogurt slightly.
5. Vegan breakfast bowl
- 3 sliced strawberries
- 1 cup of vegan yogurt
- ¼ cup of blueberries
- ½ a sliced banana
- 1-2 tablespoons of pecans, chopped
- Drizzle agave or maple syrup
Add one cup of yogurt to the bottom of the bowl. Slice half of a banana and stack it on one-half of the bowl. Add your blueberries to the top of the bowl, but just underneath where you placed the bananas.
Place the chopped pecans lightly overtop the bananas and blueberries. Then, drizzle either agave or maple syrup for that finishing touch.
Creating the bowls is easy and doesn’t take much time. You don’t have to use the suggested fruit. In fact, these breakfast bowls can be made with many fruits that are in season for a fresher experience. You can additionally use frozen fruit if you like.
6. Healthy, gluten-free breakfast superfood
- ¾ cup of coconut (unsweetened) vegan yogurt (this makes the bowl creamier over a neutral yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon of goji berries
- ⅓ cup of blueberries
- 1 tablespoon of protein powder
- 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts
- 1 teaspoon of maca powder
- ¾ teaspoon of ashwagandha powder
- 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons of dark maple syrup
Combine the maca powder, protein powder, ashwagandha powder, and yogurt in a bowl. Use the remainder of the ingredients as a topper for your bowl. Drizzle the dark maple syrup to taste.
If you have never had ashwagandha powder, increase your maple syrup by an additional teaspoon. Its taste may be unpleasant and a bit bitter. The maple syrup will mask this. Furthermore, you should omit ashwagandha and maca powders if you have a sensitive palate.
Some people will enjoy a crunch of goji berries in their breakfast. Soak the berries in warm water for five minutes if you don’t like that crunch. Then, you can drain it for a moister berry. It will also make them plumper.
Additional Suggestions
- Nuts provide protein and filling fibre to the bowl. They are healthy for you and will keep you fuller for longer. Consider these recipes if you are concerned about food costs, but want a satisfying meal.
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Use fruit that is currently in season. You can incorporate stone fruits and berries during the spring and summer.
For the fall or winter, use pears, apples, pomegranates, and oranges. You can also pull in some of the warmer tastes using certain oats.
- By sprinkling chia seeds, you add fibre and crunch to the dish. Chia seeds are also good sources of omega fatty acids and protein.
Where can you buy amazing plant-based yogurt in Canada?
At YOSO, we provide tasty, plant-based yogurt in Canada. We are the oldest brand of plant-based yogurts in Canada. Bursting with various flavours, our yogurt is a nutrient-rich treat that’s perfect for beginning your day. Our products are:
- Certified vegan
- Gluten-free
- Egg-free
- Peanut-free
- Dairy-free
- GMO-free
- Cruelty-free
- Certified Kosher pareve
Try one of our numerous yogurt products, sample some of our Immuno10 probiotic bars, or have one of our smoothies for a quick breakfast on the go. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated.
For more information, check out our website here or visit any YOSO retailer.