After Milk, Bread Prices Rise: 10 Budget-Friendly Breakfast Alternatives For Summer

Budget-Friendly Breakfast:  Following the milk price rise by Rs 2, now Mumbaikars are facing a bread price hike of five rupees per packet. All due to transportation expenses, costly imported packaging materials, and most importantly, the depreciating value of the rupee in comparison to the US dollar. As breakfast staples become expensive, let’s take a look at budget-friendly breakfast alternatives for the summer season.

10 Budget-Friendly Breakfast Alternatives For Summer

The price hike of breakfast staple ingredients, like milk and bread, is putting pressure on budgets along with rising summer temperatures. Therefore, we have brought you a wide range of breakfast options, from traditional Indian flavours to contemporary tastes, that are not just affordable, but also healthy, quick to cook and finger-licking. Here is a list of 10 budget-friendly breakfast alternatives for summer.

1. Poha

Poha is quick, light, and prepared with flattened rice, making it a perfect Indian breakfast option for the summer. It is also cost-effective and barely takes any time to cook. Key ingredients are poha, onion, mustard seeds, green chillies, and peanuts. Lemon and coriander can be added to give a fresh flavour. You can also add peas and chopped potatoes to add volume to your meal.

2. Upma

Upma is a comforting, warm bowl which is tasty and satisfying. Made of Semolina, also known as rava) It is a good option since it absorbs the flavours of other ingredients very quickly. Additionally, Rava is a cheap ingredient to be tempered with mustard, curry leaves, green chillies, and some added vegetables of your choice, like carrot or pea, to get some nutrition. Upma only takes 20- 15 minutes to cook.

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3. Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are one of the healthiest options on the list. Alongside, it requires no cooking, is cool and highly customizable, hence a great choice when you want to have a cool breakfast. Oats contain sustained energy release. It is easily made with low-cost rolled oats soaked overnight in either water, milk or yoghurt along with some fruits, nuts or a teaspoon of honey/jaggery. You can also add seasonal fruits.

4. Dahi Chura

Dahi Chura is made using Chura, which is poha and curd, along with a pinch of salt/sugar, and optionally a few pieces of bananas/mangoes. It is a traditional breakfast dish that is cool and helps with digestion, especially in a hot climate. Lastly, it takes just a few minutes to prepare. You can also add roasted peanut or sesame seeds.

5. Besan Chilla

Besan chilla is another healthy breakfast option, and are very convenient and quick to prepare. It is made with Inexpensive besan, which needs to be mixed with water and salt. Other additions can include spices and finely chopped vegetables like onions, carrots, and spinach. Serve it with chutney or yoghurt.

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6. Roti Omellete

Roti Omellete is another desi Indian breakfast. A protein-rich combination with carbohydrate food. Make with leftover roti. Beat eggs with onion, chillies, herbs, etc. and pour over the roti and fold. Takes 8-10 mins. You can also include some chopped tomatoes or spinach for vitamins.

7. Sprout Salad

Sprout salad is perfect for someone who loves having a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Sprouts are highly nutritious, cheap and very refreshing, making a healthy protein-rich diet for summer mornings. Moong or mixed bean sprouting can be done at home and then combined with cucumber, tomato, onion and lemon juice, etc. This breakfast will barely take 10-15 minutes to prepare.

8. Sabudana Khichri

Sabudana Khichri is a good breakfast pick because it is normally a fasting dish, but a light and starchy dish is apt for eating during summers. Soak sabudana overnight and then temper it with cumin, peanuts, potatoes, and chillies. serve with curd for more health benefits.

9. Idli

Idlis are soft, steamed and low in oil breakfast, good for digestion, and to eat in humid weather. It involves a fermentation process using rice and urad dal batter; if you need a quicker option, opt for commercially prepared batter. Eat with chutney or sambar for variation.

10. Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs are a source of the cheapest, high-quality protein, satisfying and versatile food for busy mornings. Boiled eggs barely take 8-10 minutes; sprinkle salt, pepper or chaat masala as seasonings; eat along with any fruit or whole grain roti.

Lastly, include seasonal vegetables and fruits in each of the above dishes for savings and enhanced flavour. Use some of the above choices alternately each day for your summer breakfast routine.