French toast is usually not considered a health food—thick slices of white bread that are covered in an egg-based batter, fried in oil, then topped with powdered sugar and covered in gobs of butter and a river of syrup. Unless you’re Buddy from the movie Elf, odds are you’ll be in a food coma shortly after breakfast. I myself have fallen into a French toast-induced food coma after having brunch in college at the famous Mickey’s Dairy Bar in Madison, Wisconsin. As tasty as it was, their French toast guaranteed that the rest of my day was going to be spent watching TV on the couch.
Although my eating habits have changed since then, my love for French toast has not. Craving some, I decided to try and look for a healthy version of this dish. The following recipe was modified from a video blog (vlog) posted by Simnett Nutrition. It’s loaded with healthy omega-3 fat, fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. I add a little maple syrup as a treat, but it’s not needed, as the sliced bananas and strawberries provide sufficient sweetness.
Nutrition Highlights:
- With the flaxseed, chia seeds, and optional walnuts, this recipe is loaded with plant-based omega-3 fat. Omega-3 fat, specifically the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6, can help lower inflammation in the body.
- Flaxseeds and soy are both on my list of 4 Foods That Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk.
- Berries are one of my 3 Superfoods To Eat Every Day.
- Consuming products made from whole grains, such as the whole grain bread used in this recipe, can help lower one’s risk of heart disease, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- 6 slices of 100% whole grain bread, left out on a plate overnight (so they harden a bit)
- 1 large ripe banana
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ¾ cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup of raw, unsalted cashews
- 3-4 pitted dates (optional: soak in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then drain before using-this helps soften them)
- Sliced banana
- Sliced strawberries
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Place all of the batter ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until smooth (slightly chunky is ok). Pour into a wide bowl and let sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and grease with vegetable oil.
- Dip the bread slices (one at a time) in the bowl of batter so that each side is evenly covered with a thin layer of batter. Place immediately on the hot griddle/skillet. Cook for a few minutes, then flip and cook for a few more. Repeat until all slices are cooked.
- Top with sliced banana, strawberries, chopped walnuts/pecans, and optional maple syrup.