Pre-swim breakfast inspiration

Great North Swim has teamed up with Arla to support swimmers through the greatest swim of their lives. As the official title partner to the UK’s biggest open-water swimming event, Arla has all the inspiration and encouragement you need to fuel your swim in the best possible way - with delicious dairy.

Kickstart your Great North Swim training with Arla.

Boring breakfasts are just so…. blah. Nothing turns tastebuds off quicker than gluey porridge and cardboard toast. If only there was something more exciting…

Never fear! Arla are brimming with breakfast inspiration, and we’ve got two of their top recommendations here for you to try out. Think tasty, think tropical, think fan-fruity-tastic with these Raspberry Rainbow Overnight Oats and Very Berry Breakfast Bars (and they’re gluten-free).  Your pre-swim breakfast never looked so good. 

Arla Lactofree Raspberry Rainbow Overnight Oats
150g oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
Grated lemon zest
1 tbsp honey
125ml Arla Lactofree semi-skimmed milk
1 tbsp finely-chopped pistachios
150g frozen raspberries
½ tsp vanilla paste

Instructions:

1. Mix the oats, chia seeds, lemon zest and honey together in a bowl and pour over the lactose free milk. Place to one side. 
2. Pop the raspberries and vanilla paste in a food processor and blast until it’s smooth-ish (we like a little bit of texture). 
3. Split the oats between different bowls or glasses (or mini jars if you’re feeling fancy), adding raspberry compote in between layers of oats. Pop in the fridge overnight to soak. 
4. Service with some crushed nuts (pistachios work well), more raspberries or a scrape of dark chocolate. Delicious.

Arla Protein Very Berry Gluten-Free Breakfast Bars
50g low-fat spread
150g gluten-free oats
2 Arla Protein strawberry yoghurts
Mixed berries

Instructions:

1. Start by lining a baking tray with greaseproof paper, sticking it in place with a little low-fat spread if needed. 
2. Mix 150g gluten-free oats with the low-fat spread - you’ll need to combine it by pressing hard against the side of the bowl. Tip the mixture onto the tray, pressing it into the corners. 
3. Pop the tray in the freezer for an hour, then remove and spoon the protein yoghurt across the top in an even layer. Then freeze for another hour. 
4. Remove from the freezer again and spoon the berry mixture over the top of the tray. Then pop back in the freezer until morning. 
5. When you take the tray out of the freezer, lift out the paper and chop into bars. Enjoy at home or on the go.

Click here for more pre-swim breakfast recipes.