Protein-packed Banana and Peanut Butter Porridge

On these cold winter mornings, there's nothing better than waking up to a warm, filling breakfast like porridge to get you started for the day. I'd like to share with you another of my favourite porridge recipes.

This one is so quick and easy to make with hardly any preparation. It's also really nutritious, with energy boosting oats, potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre from the banana, and protein from the peanut butter.

Feel free to adapt this porridge, with different nut butters and milk types. You could even add a teaspoon of cacao powder and turn it into chocolate porridge.

Please let me know what you think and share any of your own porridge recipes in the comments below.

Ingredients

• 50g porridge oats

• 350ml plant milk, water or a combination of both

• 1 small banana, sliced

• 1 teaspoon of peanut butter or any nut butter

• Granola/ground seeds to serve

Method

1. Place all of the oats, half the banana, the peanut butter and milk into a bowl if microwaving or a pan if cooking on the hob.

2. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then microwave for a further minute. If cooking on the hob, bring to the boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes

3. Add a splash more milk to serve and top with the remaining banana /granola and crushed seeds to serve.

Health benefits

• Oats are slow release carbohydrates keeping you fuller for longer

• Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre which aids digestive health.

• Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, magnesium and zinc. However many commercial peanut butters also contain added sugar, so just check the label when you buy it. Or swap it for another nut butter instead.

• Cow’s milk is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and potassium. If you are vegan or don’t drink cows milk, try mixing up your plant based milks as each one has different health benefits.

• Ground seeds including hemp, chia, and flax seeds are a good source of protein and contain Omega-3 fatty acids and other fats that are beneficial for your health and heart. They are also high in fibre, which helps control blood glucose and cholesterol