We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do we really believe it? Lots of busy people routinely skip breakfast or resort to a sugary pastry with their coffee. The truth is that your body desperately needs a healthy, hearty breakfast full of vitamins and nutrients, because your metabolism needs a kick-start before you begin your day. In addition, if you skip breakfast, you’re more likely to snack throughout the day and overeat at lunch and dinner.
Skip the Cereal Aisle
Looking for a quick breakfast option? Don’t choose a bowl of cereal! Believe it or not, cereal is one of the worst breakfast options out there. All of those tantalizing boxes in the cereal aisle are filled with over-processed cereals that are essentially fake reconstructions of the original grains. Even if the box says “fortified,” you’re only getting synthetic vitamins that your body can’t process properly. Plus, processed cereal is full of sugar that will cause you to have an energy spike before your energy levels plummet.
Don’t use cost as an excuse for eating cereal every morning. Yes, boxes of cereal are cheaper than healthier breakfast options, but when your energy drops, your going to spend money on extra snacks anyway.
Morning Power Foods
Instead of cereal, focus on incorporating whole foods into your breakfast routine in order to get plenty of protein and fiber. Protein and fiber work together to give you sustainable energy throughout the day, so choose whole grain bread or oats for fiber, and nuts, eggs, or yogurt for protein. It’s always a good idea to get plenty of variety in your diet, so make sure you have plenty of healthy options to mix together in the morning.
If you still crave a bowl of cereal, try making your own homemade granola. When you make it yourself, your can control what ingredients go into your breakfast. Use oats, nuts, and dried fruit to concoct a well-rounded cereal alternative. Oatmeal is another great option for a nutrient-rich breakfast. Choose steel-cut oats to make sure you’re getting as much fiber as possible. Add hearty toppings such as blueberries for antioxidants, nuts for healthy fats, and ground up flax seeds for extra fiber.
Tips For When You’re In a Time Crunch
Are you always in a hurry to get out the door in the morning? The key to making sure you still get a hearty breakfast is to plan ahead. Keep a selection of on-the-go options on hand at home so that you aren’t tempted to get a donut on the way to work. Try whole grain granola bars or yogurt with some nuts and berries on top.
If you have a blender, why not make an easy and delicious breakfast smoothie? Throw in a mixture of whatever fruit you have on hand, such as bananas, oranges, apples, and frozen strawberries (even better, mix in some greens too!). Add some yogurt, almond milk or coconut milk for some extra protein, and you’ve got a well-rounded breakfast in a cup! Grab a piece of whole grain toast or add some flax to your smoothie to amp up your fiber intake.
