Ever since we were kids, our mothers would often soak almonds in a bowl of water and give them to us the next morning before we left for school. The benefits of this tree nut are well-known around the world and several varieties of almonds are found across the globe too. Apart from being a nutritious and filling snack, almonds come with a host of health benefits.
They are rich in fibre, Vitamin E, magnesium as well as calcium and phosphorus. Now that the nut is so beneficial, the milk extracted from it is bound to be healthy too. Almond milk works as a great dairy substitute for vegans and lactose intolerant people. It is known to contain a lower number of calories as well as helps in strengthening bones. Another added benefit of this milk is that it contains Vitamin D, which is lacking in your regular cow or buffalo milk.
Since we’ve established the great benefits of almond milk, here are some ways in which you can add it to your breakfast diet and amp up its nutritional value.
1. Almond Milk French Toast
The crunchy, fried toast that is commonly-made with a coating of eggs, milk, and sugar is a popular breakfast dish. With many sweet and savoury versions, what remains constant is milk. To make it slightly healthier, substitute regular milk with almond milk and enjoy the nuttiness in your crispy toast. Top it with homemade strawberry syrup.
2. Almond Milk Quinoa Porridge
Porridge is a breakfast staple that is perfect when you’re running late for work. To amp up the nutritional value of this breakfast bowl, quinoa is added to it. A great vegan substitute for rice, this porridge is then prepared with almond milk and finished off with blueberries, pistachios, and honey.
3. Almond Milk Scrambled Eggs
Scramble your breakfast eggs with almond milk until they turn soft and fluffy. The light poaching liquid is what enhances the taste of the eggs. Flavoured with black pepper, grated cheese and honey, this is a perfect sweet and savoury breakfast item that one can devour every day. Moreover, it is super easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients.
4. Almond Milk Peanut Oatmeal
This is an extremely simple and easy breakfast recipe that you can make at home when you’re in a hurry. Oats are mixed with chia seeds, peanut butter and almond milk. Soaking everything in almond milk lends it a soft and mushy texture, which is amped up with the addition of mashed bananas, honey and cinnamon powder.
5. Almond Milk Apple Smoothie
Begin your day with a healthy smoothie that consists of oats, apples, almond milk and curd. Each ingredient comes with its own benefits. For instance, curd is rich in calcium and protein while apples are a great source of soluble fibre. The thick and creamy smoothie is made by churning all the ingredients in a blender and adding a dash of maple syrup or honey and cinnamon powder.