This nourishing plant-based breakfast bowl has the nutrients you need for post-workout recovery.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Potatoes USA. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Greenletes possible.
As a Sports Dietitian, I’m often asked about the right foods to eat after a workout for recovery. The answer is simple and maybe not what you’d expect– you need a combination of post-workout carbs, protein, and antioxidants.
Many people recognize the importance of post-workout protein to help with muscle recovery, but they forget about carbohydrates. During exercise, the body utilizes stored carbs, called glycogen, for energy. It’s crucial to replace glycogen after a workout to replenish those stores and prepare for tomorrow’s workout.
That’s where potatoes come into play! They are one of my favorite pre and post-workout carbs. And this nourishing bowl combines carbs from the potatoes, protein from the tofu and inflammation-fighting antioxidants from the kale and red peppers. Not to mention you can meal prep it and pop it in the microwave to have a delicious post-workout meal ready in 1-2 minutes.
Potatoes for performance
Potatoes are one of my go-to “performance foods”. As a matter of fact, I have multiple potato recipes in my cookbook Planted Performance. The nutrition profile speaks for itself. A medium (5.3 ounce) skin-on potato has 110 calories, 26 grams of high-quality carbohydrates and 620 milligrams of potassium (more than a banana).
Since carbs are the primary fuel source for exercise, there is an abundance of research surrounding potatoes for performance. For example, a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that consuming potatoes during cycling maintained blood glucose concentrations of trained athletes similarly to a commercial sports gel. In other words, eating a potato during exercise provides as much energy as traditional sports nutrition products.
A 2020 study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that eating potato products in a 90-minute cycling trial replenishes muscle glycogen and energizes athletes for future workouts. That’s why potatoes make a great addition to a post-workout recovery bowl, like this one!
Potassium is also an important electrolyte that aids in hydration and contributes to cardiovascular and nervous system function. Potassium is a mineral lost in sweat, and it’s essential to replace it during exercise to avoid dehydration. Eating a potato contributes to overall potassium intake, which may help reduce fluid losses.
Lastly, potatoes have protein! One medium 5.3-ounce potato has 3 grams of plant-based protein. Combining plant-based proteins, such as tofu and potatoes, is a good way to meet your daily amounts on a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Ingredients
This nourishing recovery breakfast bowl is filled with healthy ingredients, such as:
- Baby Dutch yellow potatoes
- Tofu
- Kale
- Red peppers
- Onion
- Spices, such as turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic oil
- Healthy fats, like olive oil
It’s a perfectly well-balanced bowl to keep you full, aid in muscle protein synthesis and restore glycogen after a workout.
How to make a plant-based breakfast bowl
The secret to building any well-balanced bowl is having a mix of all three macronutrients- carbohydrates, protein and healthy fat. This bowl has healthy carbs from the potatoes, protein from the tofu and healthy fat from the olive oil. Plus, the combination of vegetables–potatoes, kale, peppers and onion–provides vitamins and minerals.
To make this Potato, Kale & Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Bowl, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the potatoes in a bowl with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder and salt and lay on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, sautee the onions, peppers, kale, smoked paprika, garlic, and salt in a large sautee pan. When thoroughly cooked, remove the vegetables from the pan and set them aside.
Lastly, crumble the block of tofu into a large bowl and add the turmeric, chili powder and salt. Stir until well combined. Add olive oil to the sautee pan and cook the tofu for 5-7 minutes on medium low heat.
Combine the cooked potatoes, kale mixture and scrambled tofu in a bowl and top with your favorite hot sauce. I recommend sriracha!
Swaps and Substitutions
There are multiple ways you can change this recipe, based on your preferences. Here are some of my suggestions:
- Use any type of potato that you like! I like the mini potatoes for this recipe, and I cut them in quarters.
- Instead of cooked kale, add raw kale for a salad vibe
- Swap in roasted red pepper or sun-dried tomato for the cooked peppers and onions
- If you’re down with dairy, top the bowl with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese
- Drizzle your favorite sauce on top, such as sriracha, hot sauce, harissa or green goddess dressing
Potato, Greens & Tofu Scramble Breakfast Bowl
This nourishing plant-based breakfast bowl has the nutrients you need for post-workout recovery.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs baby dutch yellow potatoes
- 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 1/2 yellow onion sliced
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 4 cups kale
- 1 tablespoon water
- 16 ounces firm tofu crumbled
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Add the potatoes, two tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to a large bowl and stir until well combined.
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Lay the potatoes out on a lined baking sheet and place in the oven for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
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Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion to the pan and saute for 3 minutes. Add the red pepper, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt and cook for 10 minutes.
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Add kale and water to the pan and cover. Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the kale is wilted. Remove the kale mixture from the pan and set aside.
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To a large bowl, add the crumbled tofu, chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir until well combined.
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Using the same sautee pan, heat over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil and tofu mixture and stir often for 5-7 minutes.
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Compile the bowl with potatoes, kale mixture and tofu and top with your favorite hot sauce.
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