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We’re starting Day 4 with a simple but satisfying dish of Sweet Potato Hash topped with fried eggs.

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Why’d I pick this recipe? ‘Cause it drives me a little nuts when folks insist that without grains, dairy, and sugar, “there’s literally nothing else to eat for breakfast.”

Really? Nothing? Not one thing?

Sure, going Paleo means chucking your toast and cereal. You’ll have to bid adieu to your cream-cheese-stuffed bagels, breakfast burritos, Barbie-themed Pop Tarts, syrup-drenched Star Trek Eggos, and pancakes-in-a-can. And no more Cinnabon-flavored instant Cream of Wheat, either. (Rest assured: They were never part of a “balanced breakfast” anyway.)

Instead, weirdos like us are stuck eating things like meat and vegetables. In the MORNING. Terrifying, right?

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In all seriousness, I know that if you’re new to this way of eating, it can seem a little daunting when you suddenly realize that you’re on a Whole30, and your usual bowl of Special K and skim milk is off-limits. But there are a bazillion things we can eat for our first meal of the day, from steak and eggs to a hearty frittata.

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Not a fan of eggs? Well, last night’s leftovers are just as delicious in the morning. I’ve been known to chow on Korean shortribs and roasted kabocha squash before taking the kids to school. And in the winter, I love waking up to a steaming hot mug of bone broth.

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Perhaps the shift from Cap’n Crunch to meat and vegetables is too sudden a change? Then Sweet Potato Hash may be just the thing to get you going in the morning.

Here’s the recipe, folks!

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If you’re fretting about the carbohydrate content, don’t. Here’s the thing: Paleo ain’t necessarily low carb. I’m not low-carb for low-carb’s sake – and the Whole30 isn’t, either. In It Starts With Food, Dallas and Melissa explain that:

[T]here are vegetables that are both nutrient-dense and carbohydrate-dense. You don’t have to be afraid of sweet potato, beets, butternut squash, parsnips, or pumpkin just because they contain carbohydrates. We assure you, no one ever made herself diabetic by overeating beets or pumpkin. In fact, if you’re healthy and active, you’ll need to make a point of eating some of these carb-dense vegetables on a regular basis to support your activity levels.

(Looking for more information about this issue? Robb Wolf’s been posting an ongoing series about Paleo and low-carb; here’s Part One and here’s Part Two.)

Me? I think nutrient-dense carbs are yummy. And when paired with protein – like a couple of sunny-side-up eggs or some of last night’s stew – a plate of sweet potato hash takes on a wonderful richness and balance, making this a full and well-rounded dish.

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Best of all? Sweet potato hash isn’t just a “breakfast” dish. It can be your super quick brinner after a long day at work, too.

Okay, gang: What’s YOUR favorite Paleo-friendly morning meal?


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPad® app, and in my cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel, December 2013)!

About Michelle Tam

Hello! My name is Michelle Tam, and I love to eat. I think about food all the time. It borders on obsession. I’ve always loved the sights and smells of the kitchen. My mother was (and is) an excellent cook, and as a kid, I was her little shadow as she prepared supper each night. From her, I gained a deep, abiding love for magically transforming pantry items into mouth-watering family meals.

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