Our Go-To Grain-Free Cereal (Gluten-free, Dairy-Free, & Vegan)

Weekday mornings (yes, weekends are a different story!) are often a time for routine. Better to wake up, engage in the habits that serve us without too much thought or pontification, and fuel up for the day with something fresh and healthy. Enter our Go-To Grain-Free Cereal, which takes three minutes to make and gives you the get-up-and-go you need to conquer the day.

A healthy breakfast routine doesn’t have to be boring. You should look forward to a nourishing meal each and every day! Here at the Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA), we sometimes start our morning meetings by sharing what we had for breakfast. It’s a fun way to get inspiration, connect, and loosen up before diving into the important work we’re doing. That’s right, we’re that nerdy about the food we’re eating! 

Recently, we asked a FxNA team member, Kelly Wilkins, our Senior Sales Operations Manager (who truly helps to keep things running “behind the scenes”) to share one of her favorite breakfast bowls.

Kelly’s grain-free recipe pick and why she loves it!

One spring, I participated in our seasonal liver cleanse. The Grain Free Breakfast Cereal that’s featured in that cleanse was a great surprise the first time I tried it. I didn’t expect that a little bit of hot water would quickly transform the ingredients into a yummy, warm, and filling porridge. It fills my desire for a warm cereal in the morning and I love knowing that the “cereal” is providing great nutrients and benefits to my body. The added bonus is that it’s easy to make. Throw a few ingredients in the food processor, then add hot water and a couple of toppings and you’re done. I enjoyed it so much that it’s now part of my regular breakfast routine.

Whip up this grain-free cereal in just 3 minutes

If your Sunday is free enough for you to mix the dry ingredients beforehand, the only thing you have to do on busy weekday mornings is add hot water with your sweetener of choice and favorite fresh or frozen fruit. Our grain-free cereal is the simple breakfast solution for those hectic grab-and-go mornings we all have from time to time. Don’t worry if you can’t swing weekend meal-prep and have to start from scratch, the grain-free cereal will take you 5 minutes max.

Benefits of going grain-free

It’s important that you know that I do not believe that there is one dietary approach that is best for all when it comes to health and healing. In keeping with that philosophy, I am not suggesting that you go grain free. However, eating low to no grains has become more popular for a variety of reasons as we recognize the role that nutrition can play in our health outcomes and symptom management.

Eating a grain free diet is considered helpful for the following situations:

• Reduced inflammation: Grains, particularly gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye, can cause inflammation in some individuals, especially those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. By eliminating grains, we may experience a reduction in inflammation, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with conditions such as arthritis or autoimmune conditions.

• Improved digestive health: For some folks, grains may be hard to digest due to their high content of certain naturally occurring chemical compounds, such as phytic acid and lectins. By removing grains, people with digestive sensitivities or disorders may experience relief from bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Blood sugar management: Refined grains, such as white flour and white rice, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. By eliminating grains and focusing on lower-glycemic alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and proteins, we may achieve better blood sugar control, which can be beneficial for all of us but particularly those with diabetes, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome.

• Increased nutrient density: By removing grains from the diet, we may shift our focus to more nutrient-dense alternatives such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, nuts, and seeds. This can provide a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, potentially contributing to overall nutritional adequacy.

The reviews are in for our Go-To Grain-Free Cereal!

Are you kidding me? You want me to talk about morning porridge???? YIPPEE

This simple recipe for a grain-free cereal has been a game changer for me. As someone who eats breakfast because I have to and with many early meetings, I have always struggled with finding something nutritious and quick! Once I found out that I am gluten sensitive and lactose intolerant, my go-to yogurt and blueberries no longer worked. When Andrea suggested the porridge recipe, I decided to give it a try. It was incredibly quick to make and delicious! A perfect blend of hearty and satisfying and my body looks forward to it each morning because it just feeeeels good. I’m now consistently regular, I don’t have a sugar crash or get hungry until 3-4 hours later and it makes my life easier by taking the decision making element out of breakfast choices.

~Felicia

How to make our Go-To Grain-Free Cereal

Makes 1-2 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ground flax

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds

• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut

• 2 teaspoons chia seeds

• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon

• pinch of sea salt

• 1 vanilla bean, seeded (optional)

• 7 drops liquid stevia (vanilla crème or plain) or 1⁄2 – 1 teaspoon raw honey (or any other sweetener you desire)

• 1⁄2 bosc pear chopped or other seasonal fruit

• 1 tablespoon goji berries

• coconut milk

Preparation

1. Grind flax seed into a fine meal and set aside (we usually grind about a cup and store it in the refrigerator for later).

2. Process pumpkin seeds, coconut, chia, cinnamon, sea salt, and vanilla until finely ground using a food processor or  blender (like a magic bullet or Vitamix). 

3. Add hot water to cover along with your choice of sweetener (honey or stevia) and prepared flax meal. Mix well to combine.

4. Top with fruit, a drizzle of coconut milk, and enjoy.

Recipe jointly created by Andrea Livingston and Andrea Nakayama for the Functional Nutrition Alliance.

By: Andrea Nakayama, FxNA Founder & Functional Medicine Nutritionist

Functional Nutrition Alliance provides the comprehensive online Functional Nutrition training in the Science & Art of the Functional Nutrition practice. Learn to address the roots of your clients’ suffering with client education, diet & lifestyle modifications.