The 20 Biggest Breakfast Mistakes You’re Making

While you may have already known that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, have you ever stopped to wonder if there was a better way to make your favorite morning dishes? From dry eggs, bread-like pancakes, soggy hash browns, to a lack of nutrition, find out all the ways that you’re sabotaging the start to your day.

Using Cold Eggs

Eggs play a part in a lot of different breakfast dishes, and most recipes call for room-temperature eggs. Why is this?

Brown eggs in an open carton.
Photo Credit: DDP (@moino007) / Unsplash
Photo Credit: DDP (@moino007) / Unsplash

For recipes that require a batter, like pancakes, waffles, or crepes, room-temperature eggs result in a fluffier or lighter result that is easy to mix together, resulting in an overall more enjoyable eating experience.

ADVERTISEMENT

Overmixing Leads To Hard Pancakes

ADVERTISEMENT

Are your pancakes coming out too hard and bread-like? This mistake is caused by overmixing the batter. While you may feel like you need to get rid of all the lumps in your batter, it’s actually okay if there’s a few here and there.

Man pouring pancake batter into a pan.
Photo Credit: Cottonbro / Pexels
Photo Credit: Cottonbro / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Overmixing creates more gluten in the batter, which is why the resulting pancake cooks more like bread! Make sure you mix the batter just enough so that it comes together smoothly and pours out without sticking to your bowl.

ADVERTISEMENT

Undercooking waffles

ADVERTISEMENT

Undercooked waffles looked deceptively cooked. One bite and all you’ll taste is flour, not to mention the risks of uncooked egg. The culprit? Your waffle maker is too hot!

ADVERTISEMENT
Close of of a waffle with icing sugar sprinkled on top.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Bezanger / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Jeremy Bezanger / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

While the automated timer may indicate the waffles are done, your best bet is to lower the heat and cook them for a longer amount of time to make sure they’re fully cooked and safe to enjoy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cooking Your Bacon Cold

ADVERTISEMENT

Cooking cold bacon over a hot pan is a good way to avoid crispy bacon. Just like your eggs, cooking your bacon once it reaches room temperature leads to more even cooking and overall better flavor.

ADVERTISEMENT
Bacon cooking in a pan.
Photo Credit: Michelle @New Layer Photography / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Michelle @New Layer Photography / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The reason for this is that the fatty part of the bacon stays colder for longer than the actual meat. Letting the bacon warm-up for 15 minutes allows both parts to reach the same temperature and cook more evenly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Soggy Hash Browns

ADVERTISEMENT

In order to get your hash browns crispy, but not dry, your potatoes must go through a rigorous process in order to remove excess starch. One method to avoid both gummy and soggy hash browns would be to grate the potatoes over a bowl of cold water, which will remove the starch from the potatoes.

ADVERTISEMENT
Close up of a sunny side egg on top of hash browns.
Photo Credit: Innes Linder / Pixabay
Photo Credit: Innes Linder / Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow this step with a quick rinse, then pat your grated potatoes with a clean towel before moving them to the frying pan.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using The Wrong Pan For Omelets

ADVERTISEMENT

Using the wrong size pan for an omelet can affect how likely it’ll break when flipping. It can also result in an unintentionally thinner or thicker omelet than you might've intended. A good measure is to remember a typical single omelet consists of 2-3 eggs, which fit perfectly in pans of 7-9 inches.

ADVERTISEMENT
Omelet cooking on gas stove with a black spatula resting on top.
Photo Credit: Caio / Pexels
Photo Credit: Caio / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

More than 3 eggs would need a bigger pan, so keep in mind how many omelets you plan to make.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using Table Syrup vs Maple Syrup

ADVERTISEMENT

You may have never really thought about, what does it matter if you’re using table syrup or “real” maple syrup? While natural maple syrup may be thought of as the healthier alternative, both syrups contain similar amounts of sugar.

ADVERTISEMENT
Pancake with fruit toppings and two saucers of syrup.
Photo Credit: ROMAN ODINTSOV / Pexels
Photo Credit: ROMAN ODINTSOV / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The real difference? The number of preservatives in table syrup. With the unknown long-term effects of preservatives on the human body, maybe the sweetest choice is good-old natural maple syrup.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not Using Rolled Oats For Overnight Oats

ADVERTISEMENT

While you can technically use any type of oat for your overnight oats, using the wrong oats will affect the overall texture of your oats. Instant oats, which are a lot thinner than rolled oats, become mushy overnight.

ADVERTISEMENT
oatmeal-slimming-foods-96723
Pinterest/simmertoslimmer
Pinterest/simmertoslimmer
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Steel-cut oats are generally a lot chewier, and this remains true when used in overnight oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are ideal for maintaining the perfect texture.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eating Only Toast For Breakfast

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes you’re pressed for time and a quick slice of toast seems like the only option for breakfast.

ADVERTISEMENT
Person holding slice of bread
Photo Credit: Cats Coming / Pexels
Photo Credit: Cats Coming / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

While it’s better than having no breakfast, the long-term effects of having only toast can have negative effects on your body, depriving it of nutrients and vitamins needed to start your day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not Whisking Scrambled Eggs

ADVERTISEMENT

The perfect scrambled eggs are just the right amount of fluffy and melt in your mouth. The best way to achieve this is by whisking the eggs in a bowl before adding them to the pan, rather than just cracking them into the pan.

ADVERTISEMENT
Two whole eggs in a pan with a whisk and two whole eggs outside the pan.
Photo Credit: Bernard Tuck / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Bernard Tuck / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

By doing this, air is added to the eggs, resulting in that familiar fluffy texture. Whisking also ensures that the egg white and the yolk are perfectly blended together, rather than cooking unevenly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not Including Enough Vegetables

ADVERTISEMENT

If your breakfast plate is mostly brown or beige in color, you’re not getting enough vegetables!

ADVERTISEMENT
Different kinds of vegetables, including paprikas, zucchini, onions and tomatoes, lie on display at a government stand that offers information on nutrition at the Gruene Woche agricultural trade fair January 18, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.
Photo Credit: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Other than just adding some color to your plate, adding at least one vegetable to your breakfast can help you start your day feeling fuller and give your body nutrients to run efficiently throughout the day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach

ADVERTISEMENT

The thought of starting your day with a delicious cup of hot coffee and nothing more may feel like it’s giving you a boost of energy, but it may in fact make you feel more tired, not to mention the long-term effects on your digestive system.

ADVERTISEMENT
Cup of coffee on a plate with a spoon.
Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quirós / Pexels
Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quirós / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Coffee is both dehydrating and an appetite suppressor, which can lead to headaches throughout the day. Coffee also causes your stomach to produce less acid, making it harder to digest food in the long-run.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using The Wrong Bread For French Toast

ADVERTISEMENT

When you think of french toast, you imagine a lightly crisped but fluffy bread, sitting in syrupy, cinnamon goodness. And as a bread-focused dish, the right bread makes all the difference.

ADVERTISEMENT
Sourdough brioche on a wooden plate.
Photo Credit: Vicky Ng / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Vicky Ng / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rather than using any sliced bread, a thicker bread like brioche will more easily soak up the custard and maintain both its shape and flavor after frying.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using Water When Making Oatmeal

ADVERTISEMENT

Oatmeal already has a reputation for being bland and dull, and this is usually due to cooking your oatmeal with water instead of milk.

ADVERTISEMENT
Bowls of milk, oatmeal, and juice on a table.
Photo Credit: Cleanlight Photo / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Cleanlight Photo / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

For a richer flavor, texture, and added nutrients, use milk or a non-dairy alternative to liven up your oatmeal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pricking Your Sausages With A Fork

ADVERTISEMENT

You may have heard that it’s good to prick your sausages with a fork in order to release the fat, but all this does is is release the unique flavor inside. Sausages are, let’s face it, mostly fat, and this is what makes them so delicious.

ADVERTISEMENT
Sausage and sausage slice with a fork through it.
Photo Credit: Wesual Click / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Wesual Click / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Stop pricking them and let them cook in all their fatty goodness. And remember, if the casings burst on their own, the temperature is too hot.

ADVERTISEMENT

Starting The Day With A Sugary Smoothie

ADVERTISEMENT

You may think that just having any smoothie is a healthy breakfast option, but it’s important that the ingredients in your smoothie are nutritionally balanced and energizing.

ADVERTISEMENT
Three berry smoothies on a tray covered in blueberries
Photo Credit: Jugoslocos / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Jugoslocos / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

It’s easy to overdo adding ingredients that are rich in calories and sugar, like yogurt, peanut butter, honey or other syrups. Another trick is to reduce the number of sugary fruits you add, instead opting for berries, watermelon, and oranges.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using Only Egg Whites

ADVERTISEMENT

You may have heard that eating only egg whites is the better choice for losing weight and reducing cholesterol levels, but avoiding the yolk may also result in a loss of vitamins and other essential nutrients. Egg yolks contain many different vitamins including B12, D, and B2, as well as essential fatty acids and protein.

ADVERTISEMENT
Close-Up Shot of a Person Holding a Cracked Egg
Photo Credit: SHVETS production / Pexels
Photo Credit: SHVETS production / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rather than avoiding the yolk altogether, a diet low in saturated fat can be followed in order to reduce the effects of raising your cholesterol. Of course, you must always speak to a doctor to find out what’s right for your individual situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not Drinking Water After Waking Up

ADVERTISEMENT

Dehydration is a serious condition that results in migraines, hypertension and sinusitis, just to name a few complications!

ADVERTISEMENT
A woman holding a glass of water
Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova / Pexels
Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

As you sleep, the body dehydrates, so that glass of water when you wake up also wakes you up internally. Drinking water as soon as you wake up also helps to build a healthy habit to start your day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Skipping breakfast entirely

ADVERTISEMENT

Although it may be debatable how much of a negative impact skipping breakfast can have on your body, depriving your body of nutrients and calories it needs on a regular basis, particularly after a night of sleeping can affect your health.

ADVERTISEMENT
Woman looking skeptically at a spoonful of cereal.
Photo Credit: Tamas Pap / Unsplash
Photo Credit: Tamas Pap / Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Not having breakfast can also cause you to crave foods too high in sugar or salt, and overall be more prone to snacking, filling your stomach with empty calories.

ADVERTISEMENT

How To Avoid Rubbery Poached Eggs

ADVERTISEMENT

Poached eggs are a delicacy on their own and as a topping on avocado toast.

ADVERTISEMENT
Poached egg on avocado toast with spinach on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova / Pexels
Photo Credit: Daria Shevtsova / Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Avoid dry and rubbery poached eggs by dropping your eggs first in a small bowl or cup, and then slowly pouring them into a pot of simmering water and vinegar.