Bone-Smart, High-Protein Versions Of Pancakes, Doughnuts, And Cake (Yes, You Read That Right!)

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Nutrition

Evidence-Based

This article is based on scientific research and verified facts. We review studies and health data from credible sources to offer trustworthy, up-to-date health information.

7 min Read
bone smart pancakes doughnuts cake

I’m really looking forward to the holiday season. That’s when I strive to get creative in the kitchen and prepare a variety of healthful, scrumptious dishes for my family and friends. It’s so inspiring to see how surprised they are when they discover how delicious “health food” can be!

And I’m quite sure you’ll be surprised and delighted, too, with today’s delectable pH-balanced, bone-building breakfast recipes. All three are rich in alkalizing protein, to keep you full through the morning.

Since there is some controversy regarding protein and its place in a clinical nutrition plan for bones, I’ll begin by clarifying this issue.

Protein And Its Role In Building Bone

While it’s true that strong muscles are a necessary component of building and maintaining fracture-resistant bones, it’s a common misconception that large amounts of animal protein are required to build muscle.

In fact, too much animal protein actually harms bones in the end due to its acidifying nature and a number of other factors, which you can read about in this blog post: Excessive Animal Protein Hurts More Than Just Your Bones.

Remember, we’re talking about excessive animal protein intake, which causes an imbalance in your body. Animal protein is not off-limits on the Osteoporosis Reversal Program; foods like beef, liver, and turkey provide vital nutrients (especially grass-fed, free-range meats). At the Save Institute, we consider eating large portions of meat three times a day as the main part of a meal excessive…yet that’s precisely what most Westerners do. From bacon and sausage for breakfast to beef and chicken for dinner (with a burger or chicken dish for lunch), modern eating habits are far too high in animal protein for optimal bone health.

So to obtain a pH- balanced portion of protein that you need for healthy bones and muscles, the key is to consume alkalizing plant proteins balanced with a smaller percentage of animal protein. If you’d like more information on vegetarian sources of protein, and how best to add protein to your bone-healthy diet, then feel free to click on this link: One Minor Tweak To Your Diet Can Make A Major Difference To Your Bones.

Protein For Breakfast

Now that we’ve clarified the role of protein in clinical nutrition, I’ll explain why foods high in protein make sense for your morning meal.

At the Save Institute we don’t recommend skipping breakfast, because the first meal of the day is a prime opportunity to consume nutrients that build bone and balance your plasma pH. And having enough protein in the morning means you’ll feel satisfied for longer, helping you to avoid bingeing on sugar-loaded bone-damaging snacks.

But here’s the really good news: today’s recipes are sweet tasting, so they’ll satisfy that sweet tooth while delivering loads of alkalizing protein to keep you feeling full.

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Chocolate Layer Cake Pancakes

These chocolate pancakes are served in layers with a creamy filling, but they are full of protein and nutrients, not sugar.

1 Serving
pH-balanced

Ingredients for pancakes:

  • 1/3 cup oat flour or rolled oats
  • 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds (flax meal)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup water or almond milk
  • Pinch of sea salt

Ingredients for filling:

Directions for pancakes:

  1. If you’re not using oat flour, place the rolled oats in your blender and whiz until oats form a flour-like consistency. Transfer oat flour to a medium-sized bowl and stir in the whey powder, flax meal, pinch of salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the egg until light. Whisk in the water or almond milk and vanilla, and pour into the bowl with the oat flour mixture. Stir well to combine the wet and dry ingredients thoroughly. Allow the batter to sit for 5 to 15 minutes before cooking. While it’s sitting, you can make the filling (directions below).
  3. To cook the pancakes, heat a skillet (not non-stick) over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the skillet with oil. Pour the batter into the skillet in three portions, cooking pancakes for 3-5 minutes per side.

Directions for creamy filling:

  1. Combine all ingredients in your blender, and whiz until fully incorporated and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. To assemble pancakes, place one pancake on a plate, top with filling, and repeat for three layers ending in filling. Sprinkle cocoa powder on top.

Holiday Spiced Doughnuts

8 Donuts
pH-balanced

Finally, bone-healthy doughnuts for breakfast! You’ll need a doughnut pan to make classic doughnuts with a hole in the middle, or you can use a muffin tin if you prefer.

Ingredients for doughnuts:

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 3 medium bananas, ripe
  • 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil, plus extra for greasing muffin tin or doughnut pan
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Stevia or monk fruit sweetener to taste

Ingredients for Honey-Cinnamon Glaze (optional):

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil
  • Extra cinnamon for dusting

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In your blender, combine honey and bananas; whiz until smooth.
  2. Add all other ingredients to blender and whiz until combined.
  3. Pour batter into doughnut pan or muffin tin. If using a muffin tin, fill each muffin cup halfway.
  4. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow doughnuts to cool before glazing.
  5. To make the glaze, whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl, and “paint” each doughnut using a pastry brush dipped in the glaze. Sprinkle each doughnut with ground cinnamon if desired.

Lemony Loaf Cake

8 Servings
pH-balanced

Cake for breakfast? You bet! This high-protein, brightly-flavored cake is a real treat to start your day, and it’s delicious with a fruit topping.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup oat flour or rolled oats
  • 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup plain, organic yogurt
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or melted virgin coconut oil
  • Juice of one large lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered stevia or monk fruit sweetener, (adjust to taste)

Ingredients for glaze:

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons sugar-free powdered sugar substitute (recipe below)

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. If you’re using rolled oats, whiz them in your blender until they form a flour-like consistency.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients (oat flour through baking powder). In another bowl, whisk the eggs and whisk in the honey, yogurt, oil, lemon juice, and stevia. Combine well. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, folding to combine.
  3. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 F, and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Cool cake completely on a wire rack before glazing.
  5. To make the glaze, simply whisk the ingredients together and drizzle over the cake.

Powdered sugar substitute:

  • 2 teaspoons powdered stevia or monk fruit sweetener
  • ½ cup arrowroot powder or potato starch
  • ½ cup vanilla (or unflavored) whey protein powder
  1. Whiz all ingredients in a blender and use in place of powdered sugar.

Share And Prepare Bone-Healthy Dishes With Bone Appétit

Sharing bone-smart foods is one of the most pleasurable aspects of eating your way to healthier bones. Yet as the holidays approach, it’s often tempting to prepare (and eat) bone-damaging foods.

With Bone Appétit, you won’t have to compromise your bone-smart diet for the holidays (or any other time). With over 200 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks, it provides you with the tools to build your bones without compromising taste and variety, no matter what time of year it is.

Eat Your Way to Stronger Bones!

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Discover over 200 mouth-watering bone healthy recipes for breakfast, smoothies, appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, and plenty of main courses and even desserts!

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I encourage you to share your healthy, nutritious dishes with friends and family — they will be delighted!

Delicious, Bone-Healthy Meals Made Simple

Support your bones with 200+ easy, flavorful recipes designed to naturally boost bone strength—without spending hours in the kitchen. Bone Appétit takes the guesswork out of eating for bone health, so you can enjoy every meal with confidence.

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