Traditional meal

What’s in our Easter breakfast

A juicy smoked ham, a few hard-boiled eggs with colorful shells, a slice of dark bread, followed by a crumbly piece of yeast dough pancake - this is how many Austrians traditionally enjoy breakfast on Easter morning. This is not only based on old customs, but also on ancient knowledge, because as modern nutritional science has discovered, the traditional dishes provide the body with much of what it needs, especially in spring.

In the case of Easter pancakes, it's probably a little bit of everything. But apart from being high in calories (after all, Lent has just ended), the sweet yeast pastry can also be considered healthy, as it contains eggs, milk, butter, a little sugar and yeast, a source of potassium.

(Bild: ©Simone - stock.adobe.com)

The egg myth
Eggs have been rehabilitated as healthy powerhouses after temporarily falling into disrepute. An egg contains 13 percent protein, calcium, selenium, iron, essential amino acids, folic acid and vitamins A, B2, B12 and D, among other things. Although the cholesterol content is also high, we now know that people with high blood lipid levels should reduce their weight and take more exercise.

(Bild: Uta Rojsek-Wiedergut)

Then a few eggs won't do any harm. Incidentally, the effect of eggs on muscle cell growth is enhanced by spinach. The gourmet combination of spinach leaves, poached egg and a few truffle shavings is therefore "doctor-recommended".

In 2015, the WHO (World Health Organization) made headlines with the warning that smoked food causes cancer. However, this only actually applies to over-cured industrial sausages. Gently processed and cool-smoked ham from organic pigs is harmless and very digestible due to its low fat content.

Especially when it is accompanied by freshly grated horseradish, a real fountain of youth that contains more vitamin C than lemons and has an anti-ageing effect thanks to its essential mustard oils and antioxidants. The same applies to fresh radishes - they protect against a late spring cold - and the first local tomatoes, which contain the active ingredient lycopene. This is said to prevent cancer.

The only thing missing to round things off is a portion of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, iodine and fluorine, including sourdough, which has a positive effect on bone density - in short, a slice of rye bread.