It’s the morning after the night before, and you’ve woken up hungry. Wondering if you can eat curry for breakfast? There are plenty of reasons why it’s a good idea, provided you can get over ‘western’ social stigma. Today we will explore all of the benefits of eating curry for breakfast (as well as some of the downsides). Curry in Pyjamas? Sounds ideal to me! Let’s jump right in.
Can I Eat Curry for Breakfast?
Yes, you absolutely can eat curry for breakfast. In fact, people on the Asian subcontinent do it all the time! Most are reluctant because it breaks with the western ideas of what is ‘traditional’ for breakfast. Curry is like a fry up, just with different ingredients.
Think about it.
As breakfasts go, curry is actually pretty nutritionally balanced. You’ve got a decent helping of carbs, giving you energy. Some protein, the ‘building blocks’ your body needs to repair and regenerate itself, and a little fat, giving you further energy and a healthy immune system.
Curry is the way to go if you love Indian food, aren’t too bothered about being conventional, and want a decent meal that will set you up right for the day!
Where Our ‘Western’ Idea of Breakfast Really Comes from?
Have you ever heard the phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”?
Yep, me too!
It’s about time to drop the stigma about what is (and isn’t) a “breakfast” food.
Why?
Because a lot of what you consider a ‘proper’ breakfast comes from a deliberate push by cereal manufacturers and the dairy industry. The above phrase is actually a marketing campaign introduced by Kellogs.
Before the 19th century, most people’s breakfasts would simply be leftovers from the night before. While this has fallen out of fashion in Western society, you’ll find that this tradition of ‘breaking your fast’ with food from the night before is still very much prevalent in Asian culture.
So, you can enjoy curry for breakfast, guilt-free, in light of the above.
Here are some reasons why eating curry first thing is especially great…
Curry for Breakfast | 12 Beneficial Reasons to Start Your Day with Curry
No Waste
Whether you’ve ordered a takeaway or made an authentic curry at home for yourself, nobody likes wasting food.
The good news?
You really don’t have to!
If you have ordered or made a little too much, there is no reason to throw it away. Simply stick your curry in the fridge, and voila, you’ve got a ready-made meal awaiting you in the morning!
1. Curry in the Morning is Really Convenient
Getting up early and then spending ages messing around in the kitchen.
Please, nobody has time for that.
If you decide to have curry for breakfast, you’ve got a super balanced meal ready and waiting! Practically zero prep when we have just opened our eyes? Sounds ideal!
2. Curry is Super Tasty
Breakfast it’s all about cereals and milk, right?
Nope.
Move over boring old oatmeal. Mr Madras is in town!
We’ve all been there, laboriously and monotonously digging through a bowl of sloppy and soggy cereal first thing in the morning. But there is another way…
Why not dig into something you really enjoy. Curry tastes great any time of the day. I’d rather eat a nice bowl of something tasty (if unconventional) in the morning.
I mean…
Think about it. If porridge and cereals were that great, why don’t people normally eat them in the evening?
The answer?
Because traditional breakfast is boring!
3. Next-Day Curry Tastes Better
It has been scientifically proven that spiced food stored in the fridge overnight tastes better the next day.
Really?
You bet. In fact, I’ve written a full article describing exactly why food left overnight tastes better.
So, why not take advantage?
4. No Sugar in Curry!
We need to be honest with ourselves.
Let’s call a western breakfast what it really is.
A dessert.
Don’t believe me?
Doctor Alan Levinvitz of James Madison University says it better than I ever could: -
Dessert translations of breakfast foods:
— Alan Levinovitz (@AlanLevinovitz) July 8, 2016
muffin = cupcake
smoothie = milkshake
granola = streusel top
yogurt = ice cream
waffle = cookie
Most breakfast cereals, pastries, toppings and yoghurts are absolutely loaded with sugar. This might may you feel all energetic to start off with, but excessive consumption of sugar can be really bad for your health in the long run.
Even the sweetest curries have significantly less sugar than most bowls of breakfast cereals!
5. Curry! It Wakes You Up!
Ever had chilli first thing in the morning?
Maybe it’s about time that you gave it a try?
Let me tell you, a little bit of spice wakes you up better than any cup of coffee could hope to! Many curries feature a lot of chillies. A few mouthfuls of tasty curry will be enough to blast any sleepiness away in seconds!
6. Curry is Good for You
Curry contains plenty of things that are actually really good for your health.
Here are a few things that you’ll find in the average curry that have proven health benefits: -
And there’s more…
7. Chilli Speeds Up Your Metabolism
As I’ve said, many curries contain chilli. Aside from the eye-opening benefits (literally), chilli has a ‘hidden’ perk that makes a curry in the morning worthwhile.
Get this…
Chilli can speed up your metabolism.
In simple terms?
With a faster metabolism, you burn more calories!
Now, that is something that you aren’t going to get with a bowl of cornflakes or a pile of waffles!
8. It Keeps You Fueled for the Day | Nutritional balance
Let’s humour the breakfast companies for a moment and agree that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’…
If you follow that mantra, it stands to reason that you want a nutritionally balanced meal.
Right?
Well, depending on which curry you have for breakfast, you can pretty much ensure that you have something perfectly balanced.
A study from Harvard University recommends the following breakdown when it comes to nutritional balance in a meal: -
- Vegetables: ½
- Grains: ¼
- Protein: ¼
- Fats and Oils: Moderate
On further research, nutritionists at Myfitnesspal suggest a perfect daily macro breakdown as the follows: -
- Carbs: 45 – 65% of your daily intake
- Fat: 25 -35% of your daily intake
- Protein: 10 – 30% of your daily intake.
And guess what?
A generic curry pretty much ticks all of the above boxes.
image taken from https://myfitnesspal.com
9. Get the Eggs in!
Believe it or not, there are some Indian dishes that you can make from scratch that are just as easy as any ‘Western’ breakfast.
I happen to find them tastier too!
According to the Times of India
There are plenty of dishes that are similar to what you’d normally eat for breakfast, with an Indian ‘twist’.
A masala omelette?
Don’t mind if I do!
10. Curry is Great on the Go
The last thing you want to be doing is having to get up early to account for the time lost while eating breakfast.
And here’s the great thing.
Indian food is fabulous for breakfast on the go!
Handheld breakfast is the way forward, especially when you are busy. Curry is ideal for throwing in a wrap, sandwich, or even spread on a piece of toast as you make your way out of the door.
(Disclaimer: Curryspy is not responsible for the evil looks you’ll get if you crack out a spicy bhuna wrap on public transport).
11. It’s Dinner Time in India!
Still not convinced by any of the above?
(Man, you are a tough crowd)…
Ok, look at it like this…
If you feel a little guilty having curry for breakfast (why?), remember that India is five hours and 30 minutes ahead of you (provided you are in the UK).
My point?
At 8am (UK time), it is 13:30 in India! By having curry for breakfast, you’ll join millions of Indians for lunch!
So, don’t feel too bad!
Any Reasons Not to Eat Curry for Breakfast?
Alright, look, I get it…
Curry for breakfast isn’t for everyone. Here are a few reasons why you might be put off having curry as your first meal of the day…
Would You Find It Appetizing?
Having a large helping of spice early on isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (or bowl of porridge). There’s a reason why many like to stick to bland food early in the morning.
When you are just waking up, perhaps you want to come to slowly, without the eye-opening effects of chilli?
If strong flavours aren’t your thing, you may consider trying something a little more traditional?
It Might Make You Gassy for the Day
Let’s be real.
Curry does tend to have an adverse effect on your digestive system. For some, this might not be an issue. But, if you have a sensitive stomach, you won’t want to be setting yourself up for a day of discomfort and tummy trouble.
Stick to the cereal and crumpets, and everything will be ok.
Curry Breath
Got an important business meeting, first thing?
We’ve all been subjected to a colleague in close proximity who has been out for something spicy the night before.
And believe me…
It won’t win you many friends at the office.
If you are trying to make a good first impression, perhaps it might be a good idea to avoid curry early in the morning laden with garlic, Indian herbs, onions and spices.
You might love curry, but that doesn’t mean those around you will.
Now, where did I put those mints?
Food Stains
There is one major downside to curry that you don’t tend to get with a piece of toast.
Due to the spices within, Curry can produce some really hard to shift stains.
Dropping a splash of milk on your shirt isn’t going to present too much of a problem. However, get a blob of chicken tikka on your lapel, and it will leave a stain.
It’s time for a new shirt.
Curry for Breakfast | Top Serving Suggestions
Still, fancy a curry for breakfast?
Great!
Here are some top serving suggestions for you to try next time you’re looking for an Indian in the morning!
Egg’s Bhurji
Think Indian breakfast dish is something fancy?
Think again!
Bhurji simply means ‘scrambled’ in Hindi
Scrambled eggs for breakfast? That’s not too outlandish, really.
The main difference?
Oh,, only a few herbs and spices.
Eggs bhurji contains: -
- Eggs
- Chilli
- Ginger and garlic
- Turmeric
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
Think of it as a spicy mashed up omelette, and you won’t go far wrong!
Curry Wrap
Remember how I talked about Indian food for breakfast being great when you are on the go?
This is a prime example.
Give this a whirl if you’ve got a bit of curry leftover from the night before. It will take you all of about 20 seconds to prepare.
Simply add a few spoonfuls of curry to the centre of a wrap. Roll it up, and you are good to go. A handheld Indian treat early in the morning!
If you’ve got an extra naan, chapati or roti leftover, this is a perfect way to put it to good use. You could even heat your naan up!
Curry on Toast
Forget boring wobbly scrambled eggs or a pile of beans! Curry on toast for breakfast is one of life’s secret pleasures.
I love cold curry on toast, meaning even more convenience as you don’t have to mess around heating it up!
Curry Pancakes
Pancakes are great as they are filling and neutral in flavour.
It just so happens that people love to serve them with both savoury and sweet fillings. Depending on the curry you’ve opted for the night before, you could have a breakfast fit for a king! Sweet curries such as korma and Ceylon are absolutely delicious when rolled up into a pancake.
Curry on Crumpets
There’s a special place in my heart for curry on crumpets.
Why?
Oh, just those little holes and spongey texture that soaks up all that delicious sauce. It is possibly my favourite when having curry for breakfast.
Don’t have a clue what a crumpet is?
Don’t worry. I’ve got you.
Masala Omelette
Omelettes are easy to make at the best of times. Even if you haven’t got any curry leftover from the night before, this still doesn’t stop you from having something a little Indian for breakfast.
How?
Spice up your morning with a masala omelette!
It’s literally a ‘standard’ omelette with a few Indian spices thrown in for good measure!
Dosa and Lentils
Want to go properly traditional Indian for breakfast?
Dosa is very similar to pancakes.
And, if you think lentils are a bit too outlandish, hear me out.
You’d think nothing of having baked beans with your breakfast in the morning? Well, just like beans, lentils are also a pulse. So, you can drop the stigma and dig in without worrying about being too unorthodox.
A bowl of dal is similar, nutritionally to a bowl of oatmeal. It just so happens that it is also significantly tastier! So dig in!
Conclusion
Can you eat curry for breakfast? The answer is a resounding yes! Millions of people do it worldwide every day. It is also a nutritionally balanced meal that will give you all the energy you need to get through the day! It is super tasty, and you’ve got a breakfast fit for champions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, curry is easy to make. How easy? Well, check out my full guide here and find out for yourself!
