Is eating breakfast really necessary?
The baby’s screaming, the toddler is negotiating with you about why they should be watching cartoons, and you’re trying to answer an e-mail to a client. Your stomach is growling, but the last thing on your mind is stopping to feed yourself. Sound familiar?
Starting the morning off right with a healthy breakfast is extremely important. People often think that they’re cutting calories or fat if they skip the first meal of the day, but that’s definitely not true. Just think about it. If you’re starved the whole morning, you’re likely to overeat at lunch or dinner, which is definitely a bad idea. Not only does breakfast give you the energy to get through the day, while helping give your body the proper vitamins and minerals to keep your brain sharp, but studies have also shown that people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight. One study looked at 2,000 girls from ages 9 to 19 and found that the girls who ate cereal in the morning on a regular basis had fewer weight problems.[1]
Struggling to find a quick and nutritious breakfast? We’ve compiled a couple of fast and yummy breakfast foods that will get your mind and body ready for the day.
- Breakfast burritos: Fill them with whatever you love. Egg, potato, cheese, fresh veggies? Sure!
- Fresh fruit smoothies: Fresh fruit smoothies blended with milk is a great way to start the morning. Sweet and delicious!
- Oatmeal: It should be a staple in your diet! It’s great for your heart and fills you up like no other breakfast food. Top it with fresh berries for an added dose of vitamins and flavor.
- Yogurt parfaits: Fresh berries, peaches, or mangos on top of yogurt are a healthy way to get your day going. Add almonds or your other favorite nut into the mix for an extra dose of protein.
Remember that while it’s easy to drink lots of coffee to keep your mind alert, you can easily replace that extra cup of coffee with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice or milk. If you find that time is the obstacle in keeping you from eating breakfast, try setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier. You can likely make and consume a healthy breakfast in those extra 10 minutes.
You wake up hungry for a reason. It makes sense that your body needs fuel. So listen to what it’s telling you. You’ll have more energy, focus better, and be ready to face the day with more gusto.
[1] Davis Lerche, Jeanie. “Lose Weight: Eat Breakfast.” WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/lose-weight-eat-breakfast
Accessed Feb 16, 2012.
