10 Recipes to Celebrate the Health Benefits of Big Breakfasts

Have we been doing it wrong? All this time, we've been treating breakfast as a mere afterthought, as something to tide us over until the more serious and substantial meals at noonish time and in the evening.

It's an eating pattern that looks like this: We start with a small breakfast, transition to a larger lunch, and finish with an even bigger dinner.

But this habit of eating incrementally larger meals as the day progresses may have it backward. New research is showing that the better way to avoid obesity and lead a healthy lifestyle might be to turn that paradigm on its head. Instead, start with a big breakfast, then eat a light lunch, and finish off with a small dinner. Or as Roni Caryn Rabin reports in The New York Times, the latest evidence suggests "we should front-load our calories early in the day to jump-start our metabolisms and prevent obesity."

The American Heart Association is taking notice. Recently, the organization released an American Heart Association Scientific Statement supporting the concept of timing meals so that the majority of calories come earlier in the day as a way to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Well, we love a big breakfast. And we're always down for a culture shift. So we gathered some of our favorite breakfast recipes -- they go big and hearty with wholesome ingredients that will keep you powered up the healthy way. Give these healthy breakfast ideas a try!

1. Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

Eggs and black beans pack in the protein while avocado and salsa round out this healthy, nutrient-dense breakfast. "This recipe has everything in it I love," says Sherri. "Easy to make, healthy, and it will keep you satisfied all day long."

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

2. A Hearty Porridge

This filling porridge features rolled oats, quinoa, flax meal, walnuts, and almond meal simmered with apples, shredded coconut, and raisins. As Anthony explains it, this recipe is "an energy-packed slow-release breakfast. "This recipe makes enough for a week."

Get the Recipe: A Hearty Porridge

3. Jay's Hearty Breakfast Skillet

Sunnyside-up eggs perch atop potatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, fried bacon, and shredded cheese. It's a great recipe for personalizing. "I poured beaten eggs over the potatoes, covered and cooked until almost firm," says Holly. "Then I topped with sliced tomatoes and cheese. Served the leftovers rolled up in flour tortillas."

Get the Recipe: Jay's Hearty Breakfast Skillet

4. Chakchouka (Shakshouka)

This one is like a Mediterranean version of huevos rancheros. It features eggs poached in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, onion, chile pepper, and spices. "Absolutely awesome," raves Tuesday. "It is so filling and delicious."

Get the Recipe: Chakchouka (Shakshouka)

5. Hearty Breakfast Muffins

These morning muffins are loaded with good stuff: Zucchini, bananas, carrots, yogurt, rolled oats, shredded coconut, nuts, and dried cherries. "Moist, chewy, and not overly dense, these healthy muffins have a lightly sweet flavor and lots of wholesome ingredients," says KatieTries2Cook. "Customize with your favorite nuts or seeds, zucchini or squash, cooked sweet potato, raisins or cranberries, etc."

Get the Recipe: Hearty Breakfast Muffins

6. Breakfast Enchiladas

This hearty breakfast casserole features hashbrowns, ham, cheese, diced green chilies all rolled up in flour tortillas and baked. TINYANT1 gives it 5 Stars: " Yummy! I actually added eggs to the tortillas. Great tasting. I think I will try pouring eggs over the whole thing too to make a casserole."

Get the Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

7. Ultimate Tofu Breakfast Burrito Bowls

Tofu scrambles up just like eggs here. You'll mix them up with sauteed onions, jalapenos, garlic, and tomatoes. To assemble, you'll spoon some hash browns into a bowl, add a scoop of beans, and a scoop of scramble, and then top with avocado and hot sauce. "This was an amazing recipe," says Joanne. "Great flavor and the tofu cooks deliciously. Really great for starting vegans!

Get the Recipe: Ultimate Tofu Breakfast Burrito Bowls

8. Brown Rice Breakfast Porridge

Sometimes healthy ideas for breakfast start with dinner. In this case, make extra brown rice for dinner and use the leftovers for this healthy breakfast recipe. You'll simmer the brown rice with milk, honey, and dried blueberries. It's great with any combination of dried fruit. "This recipe is wonderful, hearty, healthy, and satisfying," says Cathy. "I've adapted it to make my own version of instant porridge."

Get the Recipe: Brown Rice Breakfast Porridge

9. Sweet Potato Breakfast Bake

A hearty breakfast bake with eggs, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, kale, mushrooms, and sausage. "Very delicious," says RonGoings. "Something uniquely different for breakfast."

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Breakfast Bake

10. Buckwheat Pancakes

Here's a hearty, healthy whole-grain twist on a breakfast favorite. "Delicious," says Traveling_Chef. "I was wanting to use buckwheat because of its high protein content, and it worked great in these pancakes! Very light and fluffy. I added blueberries."

Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Pancakes

Check out our complete collection of Breakfast and Brunch Recipes.