Why Giada De Laurentiis Never Eats Eggs For Breakfast

Eggs are widely considered an American breakfast staple. Whether scrambled, boiled, poached, fried, or used in an omelet, millions crack open an egg or two as their first meal of the day. One person you won't find waking up to these chicken littles is chef, author, and television star Giada De Laurentiis, who instead prefers her morning fuel in the form of satiating, slow-digesting carbs, which provide ample energy for her busy days.

Indeed, the Giadzy founder was born and raised in Italy until she moved to the United States at the age of seven. Generally, breakfast for Italians consists of coffee and a small pastry or bread — quite a departure from the plate full of eggs, bacon, and pancakes that is commonly consumed in the States.

This isn't to say that she doesn't enjoy eggs; she just prefers to save them for lunch and dinner in the form of frittatas and pasta carbonara, the latter of which De Laurentiis sometimes makes with pumpkin.

Even though it's standard in Italy, when it comes to her morning carbs, Giada De Laurentiis doesn't reach for a biscotti or cornetto to accompany her coffee. Instead, she opts for the same breakfast Ina Garten has been eating for a decade: oatmeal. Staying true to her Italian roots, she drizzles her oats with olive oil and sea salt, occasionally adding almonds and fruit. Sometimes, she substitutes the oatmeal for brown rice, which she flavors in a similar manner.

De Laurentiis remains mindful of her breakfast choices, ensuring they fuel her throughout her busy mornings. This is likely why she prefers oatmeal over scrambled eggs, for example. Both brown rice and oats are slow-digesting, providing a steady energy supply over an extended period. Moreover, these two carbohydrates, along with olive oil, tend to increase satiety. As a result, De Laurentiis' breakfast selection keeps her feeling fuller and more energized for longer, aiding her in managing her many tasks.

Many experts agree that eggs are the heroes of breakfast, partly because they are the gold standard for protein. However, if you prefer eating like Giada De Laurentiis does in the morning, you should aim to avoid the mistakes people make when cooking oatmeal. Plain oatmeal has a wonderful nuttiness, especially if you toast your oats first, but its flavor is fairly neutral, which is why both sweet and savory toppings work well with it. Olive oil and salt can be just the beginning of a delicious and satisfying breakfast bowl.

To elevate the dish even further, try some roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, and crumbled feta cheese; grated lemon zest, walnuts, and fresh parsley; or leftover sauteed kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and avocado for even more variety. If you want to really party early in the morning, top your gourmet oatmeal with a soft-cooked egg. We promise we won't tell Giada.