If you’re looking for a nutritious breakfast to support your outdoor swimming training, why not reach for the porridge oats? Versatile, cheap and quick to prepare, porridge is not just a healthy food for winter – it’s a great fitness fuel at any time of the year.

Tasty porridge toppings

Porridge oats contain slow-release carbs which are easy to digest, helping you power through a morning swim. Complement these oats with any of the toppings suggested below and you’re onto the ultimate morning meal!

1. Bananas

Potassium-rich bananas help to level your blood pressure, balance your bodily fluids and maintain healthy heart function. They’re also high in dietary fibre, which – among countless other benefits – assists digestive health and helps you feel fuller for longer.

2. Dark chocolate

Lower in sugar than its milk and white counterparts, dark chocolate is packed with more antioxidants than green tea and has even been found to help lower blood pressure. Who said you couldn’t eat chocolate for breakfast?

3. Cinnamon

Daily consumption of cinnamon has been found to settle blood sugar levels, meaning you’re less likely to suffer a mid-morning energy crash. Trying pairing cinnamon with chopped apple for added vitamins and one of your five a day.

4. Honey

A natural sweetener that is better for blood sugar levels than regular sugar, honey is rich in antioxidants and thought to help your body process calcium, which is good news for your bones!

5. Peanut butter

It’s not just for toast and bagels! Although sometimes criticised for its high fat content, peanut butter mostly contains heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It’s also high in vegan-friendly protein as well as vitamin B and phosphorous, which help your body convert food into valuable energy for Swim Serpentine training!

6. Blueberries

Sweet, tasty and a hearty source of healing vitamin K, blueberries are particularly rich in polyphenols, which offer anti-inflammatory properties. When mixed into the oats, they also turn your porridge a wonderful shade of purple!

7. Carrots

Carrots? Absolutely. While it may sound wacky, try sprinkling some grated carrot on your porridge with some raisins, cinnamon and honey for a hit of immune-boosting vitamin A and tasty carrot-cake flavours.