ITV Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has shared her go-to breakfast that’s packed with protein and protects her from multiple future health problems. The meal helps to stop hunger cravings and could also lower cholesterol.
Ekin-Su famously won the reality dating show with Davide Sanclimenti in August 2022. The pair split in June 2023 but got back together in the same year before calling it quits again in January 2024.
Now, the 30-year-old has returned to the ITV villa for a second stab at finding love. As the show aired its launch episode on Monday night (January 13), Ekin-Su’s official Instagram account posted: “Alright, I know I said I was done with Love Island, but here I am, fully invested again. The drama, the chaos, the questionable decisions, I just can’t stay away. Consider me officially back on Love Island.”
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With the star back on TV screens in 2025, fans have been desperate to figure out her daily routine to achieve a villa-worthy figure. Starting with the most important meal of the day, Ekin-Su appears to keep it fairly simple.
She previously discussed her diet and exercise habits ahead of her 2023 stint with Dancing on Ice. When asked about her favourite morning meal, Ekin-Su kept it simple, saying: “Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, with avocado”.
She told Women’s Health : “So [I’ll cook the eggs] probably with butter, and a bit of milk. I won’t make them in the microwave – I use a pan every time. As for the extras? I’ll maybe add some salt, chives and then smoked salmon. And some brown bread on the side to keep me going.”
Nutritionally, the classic combination elevates the simple ‘egg on toast’ dish that’s already protein-packed. Eggs are an obvious breakfast choice for those wanting to increase their protein intake.
They are a fairly cheap to find in the supermarket that boast around 7g of protein each. Eggs also help fill you up for longer, reducing your chance of reaching for a mid-morning snack too.
Protein can help reduce ghrelin levels, a hormone that tells your brain that you’re hungry. Eggs also come densely packed with vital vitamins A, D, and E as well as a good measure of omega-3 fatty acids too.
Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, on sourdough toast.
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Getty Images/iStockphoto)
For her chosen sides, salmon is a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids the body needs for muscle building and repair. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Avocado is a superfood in its own right, with plenty of incredible benefits. The high concentration of vitamin E promotes healthy skin and eyes, while also giving the immune system a boost.
Although avocados may seem fatty when glancing at the nutrition label, they’re actually the kind of fats you want to be eating. Reseach has shown that the kind of fats in an avocado can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Avocados are high in unsaturated fat (specifically, monounsaturated fat) as well as fibre and other vitamins and minerals. We already know that swapping foods with saturated fat, like cheese, butter or fatty meats, for unsaturated fats, like avocado, oily fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil or rapeseed oil, can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
“Because they are high in fat, avocados are higher in calories than other fruits and vegetables, so if you’re watching your weight, keep an eye on your portion size.”