Banana Split…for Breakfast?

Oh yes, it’s possible!

I am on a breakfast roll these days! Although I’ve always been a breakfast eater, lately I’ve been really excited about switching things up and listening to what my body is craving. This morning I had a banana split…but “healthified”…and it didn’t include ice cream…sorry to disappoint some of you 🙂

I used cottage cheese for the “ice cream” since it scoops up nicely (in comparison to yogurt) but if you aren’t a fan of cottage cheese, use plain Greek yogurt for that protein punch! I’ve topped the “split” with all-fruit preserves for extra sweetness and added ground flax, chia seeds and chopped nuts for some extra fiber and crunch. Feel free to make this your own by switching up the ingredients and/or adding toppings to your liking (ideas below). Don’t think this dish has to be reserved for breakfast, it makes a healthy snack as well!

According to lifespan.org, this is how you build a balanced breakfast:

They recommend that breakfast should provide at least one quarter of the calories you need for the entire day. Most nutritionists agree that a good breakfast contains the following ingredients:

• At least one serving of  fiber
• At least one fruit and/or vegetable
• Milk or another source of calcium
• Protein, i.e., from meat, cheese or eggs

I think my banana split fits the bill — you get fiber from the ground flaxseed, chia and chopped nuts, there are several fruits involved (nana + berries), and dairy and protein from the cottage cheese. I think we have a winner!

Breakfast Banana Split 

Ingredients

1 banana, cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup cottage cheese (I used 2% but any will do)
1 -2 Tbsp all-fruit preserves (I used mixed berry)
1 tsp ground flaxseed
1 tsp chia seed
1 – 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts (but almonds, peanuts, pecans would all be yummy too!)

Other options: add nut or seed butter or in place of the preserves, shredded coconut, coconut butter, replace cottage cheese with high-protein Greek yogurt, sprinkle with cinnamon, raisins, other fresh fruit, goji berries etc!

Directions

1. Place two banana halves in serving dish or bowl. Add scoops of cottage cheese on top of banana. Drizzle with fruit preserves (if you want it to look pretty and have more of a drizzle consistency, add a small amount of hot water but this is just for aesthetics) and garnish with flax, chia and chopped nuts. Enjoy!

This recipe is featured at Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays at Amy’s Simply Sugar and Gluten Free blog this week!