I’m finding fewer and fewer people eat a solid breakfast, yet I think it’s one of the most important meals of the day. Luckily, here in Florida, there are fresh options readily available. You aren’t really eating breakfast if you opt for a cup of coffee and a donut. Even a bowl of cereal isn’t enough. Although, depending on the type of cereal, it may be a good start. Breakfast is particularly important if you’re using an intermittent fasting technique where you eat food in an eight hour span and fast for sixteen. The fast ends at seven or eight AM and food is consumed to three or four PM, when the fast begins again.
Be prepared with quick foods you can eat on the go.
One of the biggest problems with breakfast is that it comes at the busiest time for people who work traditional office hours. You can still have a hearty, healthy one if you prepare ahead and have it ready to go with just minor effort and time. Make several mini loaves of a healthy pumpkin, zucchini or banana bread over the weekend. Freeze some and have some ready for the upcoming week. You can spread a tablespoon of nut butter, such as cashew or pecan butter. Another option is to make hard boiled eggs ahead, so they’re ready to go. Mash avocado and use it as you would butter on your toast. Half a grapefruit works as a side for both with the other half ready for a mid-morning snack.
Breakfast helps you lose weight.
Your body needs a whole list of nutrients throughout the day. Trying to get them all with one or two meals is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Breakfast helps you in the area of nutrition, but it also helps you lose weight. If you eat a good breakfast, you’ll be less likely to eat more later in the day. Studies show that breakfast eaters tend to be more likely to be in their ideal weight range and those who skip it tend to be more likely to be overweight. If you eat a good breakfast, you’ll probably skip that mid-morning donut.
If you eat a good breakfast, you’ll do better at work or school.
That long fast at night lowered glucose levels and leaves your brain starved for it. Study after study shows that breakfast consumption can help you in the area of work or school by improving concentration levels and boosting memory. You’ll be less likely to be grumpy, too. Studies on school age children shows that a good breakfast is linked to improved grades and better classroom behavior.
- Breakfast should have a good balance of carbs, healthy fat, protein and fiber. You’ll get protein for energy later in the day and carbohydrates for energy you need immediately. The healthy fat and fiber keeps you feeling full longer.
- While it may be impossible to get everyone to the table during the week, a weekend family breakfast not only provides children with a habit of healthy eating, it also can provide great family time, too.
- Breakfast egg muffins can be made while you shower and eaten on the go. Have all the ingredients ready like steamed broccoli, sliced mushrooms, red pepper and onion, plus some lean meat. Mix that with salt, pepper, milk and eggs and then put in the oven for eight minutes get ready.
- A smoothie made with frozen fruit is great in the summer. Plain Greek yogurt and some fruit, granola or ground flax seed also makes a quick, healthy breakfast.