Start your morning right with these healthy breakfast recipes for one
Written by Julia Lloyd, a dietetic intern at UK Markey Cancer Center.
Cancer treatments might sap your energy, making it difficult to find the stamina to make meals, especially if you live alone. The following one-serving breakfast recipes are the answer.
Both of these recipes are quick and simple and have a short ingredient list that won't leave you in the kitchen for a long time. These recipes can easily be altered to help address your specific health needs.
Under each recipe, you will find suggestions for ingredient substitutions or changes to cooking methods to better manage your symptoms.
Veggie Omelette
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp milk
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 1 cup of chopped vegetable mixture (Select 3-4 veggies of your choice. I recommend peppers, onion, mushrooms and broccoli, but include any veggies you enjoy!)
- 2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tbsp butter
Directions
- Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a small bowl with a whisk or fork.
- Add butter in a small pan over medium high heat.
- Add your egg mixture once butter is melted and sizzling.
- Continue to heat for a few minutes until egg mixture is no longer runny. This usually takes five minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese in one side of the omelet. Add vegetables.
- Using a spatula, gently press down omelette and continue to cook for one minute.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Tips and substitution ideas: If you prefer cooked veggies instead of raw, try sautéing your vegetables with spices and garlic before adding them to your omelette. Cooked vegetables may be easier if you have difficulty chewing and swallowing. If you’ve experienced weight loss during treatment, add more cheese or try topping your omelette with sour cream and salsa. This will add calories and enhance flavors if you have noticed a change in the taste of food. Save your leftover vegetables to use in casseroles, sandwiches and other meals.
Apple with Peanut Butter Dip
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 medium Gala, Fuji or Honeycrisp apple
- 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1/2 tsp honey
- Dash of cinnamon
- Dash of nutmeg (optional)
Directions
- Combine peanut butter, yogurt, honey and cinnamon in a bowl. Mix for one minute.
- Cut apple into slices.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on apple slices (optional).
- Immediately serve.
Tips and substitution ideas: This peanut butter dip also pairs well with strawberries and pretzels or as a spread for a piece of toast or banana. If possible, use Greek yogurt instead of regular to boost the amount of protein in the recipe. Protein-rich foods can aid in healing and repairing healthy cells that were damaged during treatment.
For more information about managing you or your loved one’s treatment symptoms with food, refer to the NCI Eating Hints guide online. For additional recipes, visit the American Cancer Society’s webpage.
For additional information regarding diet and nutrition for cancer patients at Markey Cancer Center, please call 859-323-2798 and ask to speak with a registered dietitian.
