Top 10 Power Breakfasts for Children: Fuelled by Animal-Based Nutrition

In the grand adventure of parenting, we’re all in pursuit of excellence, especially when dealing with the unique challenges of autism, PANDAS, and PANS. This edition is our spotlight on a game-changer – breakfast. Not just any breakfast, but the kind that’s like rocket fuel for our little ones.

Our mission? Unpacking a treasure trove of nourishing breakfast ideas specially crafted for our food-intolerant dynamos. What’s our secret sauce? High-quality animal-based foods sourced from pasture-raised wonders and organic all-stars.

So, no more suspense! Let’s embark on a journey where breakfast sets the stage for an extraordinary day.

These breakfast options, rich in nutrients such as choline, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and protein, provide comprehensive support for children’s cognitive and overall health. By understanding the specific nutrients each option offers, you can tailor your child’s breakfast to their unique dietary needs, helping them thrive.

 

1. Scrambled Eggs with Avocado Slices:

• Choline: Eggs are an excellent source of choline, a nutrient that plays a crucial role in brain development and function. Choline supports memory, mood regulation, and overall cognitive health.
• Healthy Fats: Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fats, specifically oleic acid. These fats contribute to brain development and help maintain the integrity of cell membranes in the brain.

 

How to make it: Whisk pasture-raised eggs, cook them in ghee, tallow or coconut oil and serve with ripe avocado slices.

2. Creamy Greek Yogurt with Berries and Raw Honey (see below for a dairy-free alternative):

• Protein: Greek yoghurt is packed with protein, which provides a steady release of energy and helps stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day.
• Antioxidants: Berries, like blueberries and strawberries, are abundant in antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C. These antioxidants protect brain cells from oxidative stress, contributing to cognitive health.
• Natural Sweetness: Raw honey adds natural sweetness without the drawbacks of refined sugars, helping maintain stable blood sugar levels.

 

How to make it: Combine raw A2 milk or yoghurt (a source of protein and calcium) with fresh berries (rich in antioxidants) and a drizzle of raw honey.

Dairy alternative: Use coconut yoghurt instead. Brands like Coconut Collab or COCOS Organic are reasonable options. Try and avoid nut-based and soya-based yoghurts as they are high in anti-nutrients and oxalates.

 

3. Beef Breakfast Sausages from Pipers Farm:

• Iron: Beef is one of the best sources of haem iron, which is highly absorbable. Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood and supporting cognitive function.
• Protein: These sausages provide a high-quality protein source, which aids in muscle development and overall growth.

 

4. Wild Croft Dairy Goat Cheese Omelette (see below for a dairy-free alternative):

• Calcium: Goat cheese is a good source of calcium, which is essential for bone health and the transmission of nerve signals, supporting cognitive function.
• Protein: Eggs supply essential amino acids crucial for muscle and brain development.

 

How to make it: Create an omelette with pasture-raised eggs (rich in protein and choline) and add Wild Croft Dairy raw goat cheese (providing calcium and protein).

Dairy-free option: Almost all dairy-free cheese is highly processed. To replace the goodness lost from omitting cheese, sprinkle the contents of 3 capsules of the Bone and Marrow 100% pasture-raised from supplement Ancestral Supplements. Beat into the eggs before cooking.  These supplements can take heat and still maintain its goodness, and you won’t see it or taste it in the omelette! Buy from here https://yourhealthbasket.co.uk/product/grass-fed-bone-and-marrow-180-capsules-ancestral-supplements/and use the code Brainstorm10 to get 10% off.

 

5. Power Omelette with Chopped Lamb or Ox Liver:

• Eggs: Eggs are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is vital for brain development, function, and mental focus. Use pasture-raised eggs for the best quality.
• High-Quality Protein: To maintain the protein component of the meal, consider using Chopped Lamb or Ox Liver: Liver is an exceptional source of protein, crucial for muscle development, cognitive function, and overall growth. You can sauté chopped liver in Hill Farm pasture-raised tallow or your preferred cooking fat.

• Iron and Nutrient Rich: Liver is not only a protein powerhouse but also rich in iron and various essential vitamins, such as B12 and folate, which are vital for neurological health.

 

How to make it: Create a nutrient-packed omelette by whisking pasture-raised eggs and adding sautéed chopped lamb or ox. Cook this omelette in Hill Farm pasture-raised tallow for a flavourful and nutritious breakfast.

Alternative: If you find the idea of using liver a bit daunting, sprinkle three capsules of Beef Organ 100% pasture-raised from supplement Ancestral Supplements into the beaten eggs before cooking. The supplement can take heat and still maintain its goodness, and you won’t see it not taste it in the omelette! Buy from here https://yourhealthbasket.co.uk/product/grass-fed-desiccated-beef-organs-liver-heart-kidney-pancreas-spleen-180-capsules-ancestral-supplements/ and use the code Brainstorm10 to get 10% off.

 

6. Raw Milk Smoothie with Avocado and Banana (see below for dairy-free alternative):

• Healthy Fats: Avocado offers healthy fats, including monounsaturated fats and omega-3s, supporting brain development and function.
• Calcium: Raw A2 milk is packed with essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins; it supports bone health, boosts the immune system, and aids in muscle growth. Moreover, its unique A2 protein type is believed to be easier to digest than A1 milk, making it a suitable option for those with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities. The natural, unprocessed state of raw A2 milk retains valuable enzymes and beneficial bacteria, promoting gut health and overall well-being.
• Natural Sweetness: Banana adds natural sweetness without the need for refined sugars.

 

How to make it: Blend raw A2 milk, ripe avocado, and frozen banana. For those with an extra sweet tooth, add a touch of raw honey.

Dairy Alternative: Use coconut milk free from gums and additives. There is almost no carton-based coconut milk that is free from all grains and additives. The closest one is the one by Plenish, which contains 6% rice milk. You can always make your own! Blend 2.5 cups of unsweetened desiccated coconut with 4 cups of nearly boiling water (careful!), and then squeeze the milk through a nut bag (cheap and easy to get online). You will be left with beautiful coconut milk to drink and coconut pulp to use in baking and curries.

 

7. Banana Pancakes with Old Hall Farm Bacon:

• Protein: Pancakes and bacon provide protein, supporting muscle development and maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

 

How to make it: To whip up your pancake batter, combine three large eggs, ¼ cup of coconut flour, ½ tsp of sodium bicarbonate, and one small mashed banana. Pop them into a blender or food processor and give it a whirl. Afterwards, let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, allowing the coconut flour to work magic and thicken the batter. If it’s a tad too thick, just add a bit of water or coconut milk to get the right consistency. Cook your pancakes in your choice of ghee, butter, or grass-fed tallow, and serve them alongside some delicious Old Hall Farm pasture-raised bacon for a dose of protein and healthy fats.

 

8. Tallow-Fried Liver and Onions:

• Iron: Liver is an exceptional source of haem iron, which is readily absorbed by the body and essential for cognitive function, as it’s involved in oxygen transport and energy production.
• Vitamins: Liver, particularly beef liver, is rich in vitamins like B12 and folate, both of which are essential for neurological health.

 

How to make it: Sauté grass-fed liver (rich in iron and B vitamins) and onions in Hill Farm pasture-raised tallow.  I love lamb liver. I grew up eating it regularly, so it reminds me of my childhood. It has a much less intense flavour than beef/ox liver and has a similar nutrient profile. YUM!

 

9. Devilled Kidneys on Toast:

• High-Quality Protein: Kidneys offer high-quality protein, essential for muscle development, cognitive function, and overall growth.
• Nutrients: Beef and lamb kidneys are excellent sources of haem iron, which is highly absorbable and crucial for red blood cell formation and cognitive function. A typical serving of kidneys can provide approximately 3-4 milligrams of iron, contributing significantly to your child’s daily iron needs.
• Vitamins: Kidneys are also rich in B vitamins, including B12 and folate, which play essential roles in neurological health and overall well-being.

 

How to make it: Prepare devilled kidneys with lamb or beef kidneys, remove all sinew, and cook in ghee, tallow or coconut oil, adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce for added flavour. Serve alongside banana pancakes (see recipe above) or potatoes cooked in your favourite way. You can also include roasted tomatoes for extra colour and flavour.

 

10. Mediterranean-Style Scramble with Raw Feta:

• Calcium: Feta cheese provides calcium, which is crucial for strong bones and teeth.
• Protein: Eggs supply essential amino acids needed for growth and brain development.

 

How to make it: Create a Mediterranean-style scramble with pasture-raised eggs, raw Feta cheese and tomatoes.

Dairy Alternative: I don’t generally love dairy alternatives, and many of them are highly processed, but as a one-off you can replace feta cheese with the Violife Greek White. It still has more ingredients than I would like, but it’s a decent option that is soya and nut-free.  

 

Farms to Trust: Supporting Your Child’s Nutrition

We understand the importance of sourcing high-quality ingredients for your child’s breakfast. Here are some farms that align with your commitment to pasture-raised and organic options:

1. Pipers Farm: For 100% pasture-raised meat, including breakfast sausages. https://pipersfarm.com
2. Hurdlebrook: Providing raw A2 milk, cream, and yoghurt for dairy options. https://www.hurdlebrook.co.uk
3. Wild Croft Dairy: Offering raw goat milk and cheese for those with dairy sensitivities. https://wildcroftdairy.co.uk
4. Hill Farm: Your source for 100% pasture-raised ghee and tallow. https://hillfarmrealfood.co.uk
5. Old Hall Farm: Great A2 milk products and fabulous 100% pasture-raised beef and lamb, as well as pasture-raised chicken and pork. https://oldhallfarmshop.co.uk
6. Riverford Organics: One of my favourite shops for fruit and vegetables and quality meat. https://www.riverford.co.uk

 

Incorporating these nutritious breakfast ideas into your child’s daily routine can have a profound impact on their overall health and well-being. By focusing on high-quality animal-based foods sourced from pasture-raised animals and organic options, you provide them with the essential nutrients needed for improved focus, stable blood sugar levels, a balanced mood, and enhanced brain power. By supporting farms like Pipers Farm, Old Hall Farm, Hurdlebrook, Wild Croft Dairy, and Hill Farm, you ensure that the ingredients you use are of the highest quality. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in your child’s life.

Remember, every child is unique, and it’s essential to work with healthcare professionals to tailor these breakfast ideas to your child’s specific dietary needs. With the right nutrition and care, you’re empowering your child to reach their full potential.