Single Serve Breakfast Totchos
January 6, 2018 by Nicole Collins
Did you ever think totchos and healthy would be put in the same sentence?
Well today, we're making that happen!
How's the healthy eating going for everyone so far? I know we're only about a week in, but the first week is always the hardest. Research shows that it takes about 3 weeks to develop a new habit, so we're a third of the way there!
As someone who has successfully embarked on a weight loss journey before, I can tell you what I've learned about the challenge of healthy eating. I am no expert, let's get that straight. But, I definitely feel like I can bust some myths based on my own experience.
This biggest thing that I can say about a weight loss journey is that it's not necessary to eat like a bunny rabbit. I feel like that's why so many people fail or don't stick with it. They go hard and only eat fruits and vegetables for a few weeks straight, and then start to resent all things healthy. Depriving yourself is not the answer!
I also TOTALLY believe in the cheat meal. There are different theories out there about the cheat meal, but I'm totally for it. You get one meal per week where you get to eat whatever you're craving: a juicy cheeseburger, a couple cheesy pieces of pizza, a slice of chocolate cake.
The supposed science behind it is that when you're on a weight loss journey, you reach a point where you stop losing weight; because your body is missing the fat in your diet and thinks it needs to hoard whatever fat it can get in your body. So, the cheat meal gives your body the fat it needs in a small enough capacity to know it doesn't need to hold on to the little fat it gets without ruining all of your hard work and effort. From a psychological standpoint, you feel satisfied and rewarded because you got to have want you wanted instead of being bitter that you can't eat what you love until you reach your weight loss goal.
But, in my opinion, the biggest thing that I learned about healthy eating is that it's all about portion control. Food is not the enemy. Overeating is the enemy.
Have you ever seen those articles or videos about how much restaurants overfeed you? They give you like a whole box of pasta instead of the 1/2-1 cup suggested serving size. Or, they put double the 2 tbsp suggested serving size of salad dressing on a salad. The list goes on and on.
I found a lot of success using the 21 Day Fix plan, which is pretty much 100% focused on portions and serving sizes. If you've ever thought that my serving sizes seem to be a little light, that's why. In all of my recipes, I give you acceptable, healthy, 21 Day Fix approved serving sizes!
There are some tricks to staying full with smaller serving sizes. 1. Use a smaller plate. If you're eating less but putting it on a smaller plate, your plate still looks full. It's totally a mental game. Your brain thinks you ate a full plate of food, thereby thinking it's full when you're finished. 2. Slow down. Eating a meal is a marathon, not a sprint. I read somewhere once that it takes 20 minutes for your body to think it's full. So, no need to scarf down your food. Savor the flavor, and stretch out the meal to the point where your brain thinks your tummy is full. 3. Snack! Yes, snack! There are different schools of thought on this point too, but I'm on the side that thinks eating every 3-4 hours helps keep your metabolism pumping. Plus, since you're having a healthy snack between meals, you'll still stay full despite your smaller meals.
And this, folks, is how we're calling totchos healthy!
Today, we're having Breakfast Totchos!
We're using some store bought items, paying attention to the suggested serving sizes, and walking away with a totally filling and totally delicious breakfast treat!
Let's talk about the tots. I really love Alexia brand tater tots. I get the Roasted Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Potato Puffs. They're an all natural, gourmet product, but they're worth the extra dollar in my opinion. Plus, the serving size is 14 tots, which is significantly more than the 8 or 9 tots that most other brands allow in their suggested serving size. See..reading the nutrition label pays off sometimes!
Then, we top those tots with some store bought white queso, some shredded cheddar, a little bacon, some homemade guac, and a nice fried or poached egg. And, we are obeying the recommended serving size every step of the way!
It might not look like much to eat at first; but after we add all of the toppings, we have quite the feast! And, I served it on a salad plate, so I felt like I was really eating a full plate of totchos...which technically, I was!
And since we're having everything in small doses, we're actually having a pretty healthy breakfast, brunch, or dinner (you know I prefer brekkie for dinner!)
Ok, I know this was a long one today, but I just want to make sure anyone on a weight loss journey right now has total success! And if you're not on a weight loss journey, I'm setting you on the path without you even knowing it.
So, let's get our lives right, and let's eat!
Single Serve Breakfast Totchos
Serves: 1 Print
Ingredients:
1 suggested serving size tater tots (I use Alexia brand potato puffs which allows 14 tots per serving)
2 tbsp white queso (I use On the Border brand)
2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ avocado
½ tbsp salsa
1 tbsp red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp lime juice
1 fried or poached egg
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Bake tater tots according to package directions. Leave the oven on when they're finished.
Make the guacamole: In a small bowl, combine avocado, salsa, red onion, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Mash with a fork until combined and it reaches your desired texture. I like to leave mine on the chunkier side.
Assemble the totchos: Place cooked tater tots on a small, oven safe plate. Top with queso, shredded cheese, and bacon. Place in the oven for 3-4 mins until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven, and top with guacamole, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Recipe notes:
*This could be easily adapted to feed a crowd! You just need to do a little math to multiply the serving size. For example, to serve a family of 4, you'd need 56 tots, 8 slices of bacon, ½ cup queso, ½ cup shredded cheese, 4 eggs, 2 avocados, 2 tbsp salsa, ¼ cup red onion, juice of half a lime, and salt. You could prep this on a sheet pan, too!
*I prefer Alexia brand tater tots because you get more tots per serving size. But, use your favorite brand!
