The traditional idea of having sweet dishes only after lunch or dinner is being challenged by a new trend: breakfast puddings. Thanks to TikTok, this trend is growing, with recipes ranging from chia seed puddings and overnight oats to versions inspired by famous desserts like tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, and candy bars. Content creator Jessica Hoffman highlights the flexibility of breakfast puddings, as they can be customized with fresh fruits, nut butters, or chocolate. They are indulgent meals which are easy to prep overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings.
Supermarkets are catching on, offering products like salted caramel overnight oats. Brands like Linwoods and Earthy are introducing ready-to-soak oats in creative flavors. However, nutrition experts like Nichola Ludlam-Raine warn against overly processed versions that use chocolate bars, arguing that they are closer to real desserts and should only be eaten as occassional treats. She also critiques the "health halo" effect, where products labeled "high protein" may still be high in sugar.
Psychologist Deanne Jade reassures that flexibility in food choices is positive, noting that in cultures like France and Italy, sweet foods are common for breakfast. Ultimately, the trend encourages creativity and a relaxed attitude toward what constitutes a proper breakfast.
Vocabulary:
• Traditional (adj) : Something that has been done in the same way for a long time.
• Pudding (noun) : A soft, sweet food, often eaten as a dessert.
• Trend (noun) : A popular idea or activity at a certain time.
• Ranging (verb) : Varying between two extremes.
• Inspired (adj) : Influenced by something else to create something new.
• Content creator (noun) : A person who makes and shares videos or posts online.
• Customized (verb) : Changed or adapted to suit personal taste.
• Indulgent (adj) : Very rich, sweet, or enjoyable (often not healthy).
• Soak (verb) : To leave food in liquid so it becomes soft.
• Nutrition (noun) : The process of eating food that gives the body what it needs.
• Processed (adj) : Food that has been changed by adding ingredients or packaging.
• Occasionally (adv) : Not often, only sometimes.
• Health halo (noun) : The false idea that a food is healthy just because of a label.
Source: the Guardian