My favorite breakfast to enjoy is a coconut yogurt parfait, topped with my homemade grain-free granola and homemade chia blueberry jam. However, these cold winter months are making it difficult to enjoy a cold breakfasts. In fact, it is not a great practice to consume too many cold foods in the winter (especially first thing in the morning) since it can dampen your digestive juices and impede proper digestion.
So, to work my way around this problem I made this Grain-Free Warm Nutty Porridge! It is very easy to make, takes about 3 minutes, and is filled with super-food seeds and nuts.
Some of my favorite ingredients include walnuts, an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which lubricate your cells (much needed for cold winters that leave skin dry and itchy) and powerful anti-inflammatory properties. As well, chia seeds, which are also a great source of omega-3s and provide non-irritating fiber that sweeps the intestines clean of any harmful toxins. And of course plenty of coconut, which is warming in nature. Coconut is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MTCs) that convert to beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). BHB is an alternative fuel source to carbohydrates that your body uses for energy- great for diabetics and those with insulin sensitivities.
The grain-free diet is not for everyone, but if you suffer from digestive or inflammatory auto-immune disorders like IBD, Crohn's Disease, Celiac disease, Psoriasis, eczema, joint pain, Rheumatoid arthritis or endometriosis, speak with your nutritionist to find out how a grain free-diet could benefit you.
The most common foods consumed by North Americans are grain foods which include: wheat, corn, rice, oats and barley. If these are consumed frequently by a person who is already inflamed it can wreck havoc on the gut, exacerbating symptoms.
Quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat are technically not grains, but should still be consumed in moderation on a grain-free diet. Meats, fruits and vegetables are allowed.
Even if you do not suffer from the above mentioned illnesses, it is always a good idea to limit the amount of grains- especially processed grains- to keep blood sugars balanced and energy stable.
This recipe is a great source of protein and healthy fats. It is versatile, so if you're missing any ingredients just sub it out or double up on another, to compensate. If you are nut-free you can try substituting the nuts for seeds, like pumpkin seeds (high in zinc and great for skin inflammations like eczema) and sunflower seeds (a good source of anti-inflammatory vitamin E).
Grain-Free Warm Nutty Porridge
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of mixed raw nuts (I like to use a combination of walnuts, pecans and almonds) finely chopped or pulsed a few times in a food processor.
1/4 cup of shredded coconut
2 tablespoons flax meal
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup steamed non-dairy milk
1 tablespoon of maple syrup, coconut nectar or honey, to taste
Directions:
Combine all dry ingredients together (you can make a big batch and store in the refrigerator, adding wet ingredients later). Then stir in warm milk, natural sweetener and vanilla. It will thicken as you stir.
Top with your favorite berries and other toppings. I added extra shredded coconut, blueberries and cocoa nibs.
If you are interesting in more grain-free recipes, try these Grain-Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies !
