The Importance of Eating Breakfast

By:  Kerri-Lynn LaPointe, ND | July 21, 2009 9:34 am

Numerous studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast helps to increase concentration, energy, and performance, while boosting metabolism and balancing blood sugar levels for weight management.  Eating in the morning decreases the likelihood of snacking on unhealthy foods before lunch (it is much easier to say “no” to those donuts or that slice of birthday cake when you feel full.)  It is the most important meal of the day, in which you break the fasting of the previous night.  Unfortunately, it is the meal that is most often skipped or grabbed on the go.  While thinking of breakfast ideas, you want to include whole grains for fibre, fruit for vitamins and even more fibre, and protein for sustained energy.  Here are some tips for starting a healthy breakfast regime:

• Before your morning routine, drink a glass of lemon water.  This will kick start your digestive system in preparation for eating.
• If you are not currently eating breakfast, start with small meals.  A cup of almond milk, ½ cup of yogurt or a handful of walnuts.
• Prepare breakfast the night before.
• Set you alarm 15 minutes early so you have time to sit down and eat in the morning.
• Avoid breakfast bars.  They are loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates.
• If you do not like traditional breakfast options, eat leftovers from the night before.
• Healthy breakfast ideas:
  • Slow-cooked plain oatmeal with sunflower seeds, frozen berries, maple syrup, and rice milk.
  • Shake à almond or rice milk, banana, frozen berries, hemp protein powder, yogurt.  This is the best option for people on the go, because it can be prepped the night before and eaten during your commute to work.
  • Whole wheat English muffin with nut butter.
  • Kashi cereal with almond milk.  Look for cereals that contain whole grains and are low in sugar.
  • Boiled eggs and English muffin or steamed spinach.
  • Apple with almond butter.