Our hotel here in Bratislava, Slovakia is awesome for several reasons- first, it’s a boat (a botel, hahaha) and it has a free breakfast buffet. Some of the other places we have stayed have had breakfast, but most are just cereal or bread- this one has the whole spread. Several different breads including rolls, plain and raisin challah and sliced white bread, jelly, butter and honey to spread on your bread, hardboiled eggs, sausage, muesli, cornflakes, two kinds of white cheese, sliced turkey, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, blueberry and strawberry yogurt, a bowl of fruit and a variety of beverages including water with lemons, tea, coffee, milk and orange juice. It’s beautiful!
The problem is, it’s huge and there are lots of things that would make an epic breakfast. So, how does one navigate a breakfast buffet this big and get a healthy breakfast out of it? The key, like any buffet, is to plan ahead. Take a look at the whole buffet and figure out what you want to have, prioritize. Just because you can have everything doesn’t mean you should. So, figure out what you really want and put it on a small plate. Enjoy it and only go back for seconds if you are truly still hungry- and be sure to wait at least 15 minutes. That’s buffet basics 101, and can be applied to any buffet- breakfast, lunch, party etc.
Getting a healthy breakfast out of the buffet is not just about portion control. Breakfast is the cornerstone of your day and can set the tone for the whole day! In order to help keep you going strong all day make sure you have some protein, complex carbs and even a bit of fat to keep you feeling full and going strong for longer. I skipped the high fat sausage, and the sugar spiking, simple carbs of the cornflakes, jams and white breads and the high sodium cheese and sliced turkey. Going through the buffet, I picked up a hardboiled egg for protein and fat, a bowl of muesli for some whole grain complex carbs and a nectarine because I like to start my day with a fruit or veggie. I topped my muesli with a scoop of strawberry yogurt and cut up some of my nectarine. It was delicious, hearty and a breakfast I could feel good about.
