Today's Tip: Eat Breakfast!

[phyncke]

I try to eat breakfast each day and it is an energy boost. Here is some info from the Active for Life people about it...


Breakfast is for Champions!

When I was a kid, my ultimate goal in life was to make it on the cover of a Wheaties box. So, following their marketing mantra - Wheaties... the Breakfast of Champions - I ate it every morning, believing that if I did, I'd be ready when the "people who make people famous" would come knocking on my door.

"Hey, are you the girl who eats Wheaties for breakfast??" "Why YES... yes, I am." "GREAT! We need you for the next batch of Wheaties boxes! Can you come with us now?" "Why YES... yes, I can."

Little did I know then that breakfast really IS for champions! Or, at least for people who want to feel like champions throughout the day. You may have heard or read somewhere that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, that is no myth. It's absolutely true... and here's why:


Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of your day. By eating breakfast, you are literally breaking a fast - the "fast" being the 6-8 hours your body has gone without food because you've been sleeping. Thus, when you skip breakfast, you are more likely to be tired as your brain and body run out of fuel. By mid-morning, you might grab a cup of coffee to wake up again or wolf down a sugary candy bar because you suddenly realize you're hungry. This might seem to work for a few minutes, but by lunch time you are even more hungry, possibly irritable, and perhaps your mood might make you a little more prone to make unhealthy choices at lunch.

Despite this, many people tend to skip eating breakfast, whether it's out of habit, or because you're crunched for time during the morning rush, or because of "bad dieting" (skipping meals, cutting out calories, etc). Skipping breakfast is a common strategy many employ when trying to losing weight, but it's definitely not a smart one. Many believe that they will lose weight if they skip meals, but that just isn't true; the body expects to be refueled a few times each day -- starting with breakfast. And eating breakfast is actually good for weight loss. In fact, people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.


It's also good to keep in mind that what you eat for breakfast is important as well. The belgian waffles, donuts, and sky-high pancake stacks are fine for

"Egg"celent breakfast choice!

once-in-a-while special occasions, but these are generally not the best choices in that they tend to be high in sugar, fat, and calories, and they don't keep you satiated for very long. A healthier breakfast to jump start your day and keep you energized and satiated throughout is a combination of lean protein (like eggs), complex carbohydrates made of whole grains, fruits or vegetables, and healthy fats.

Here are some examples of quick and healthy meals that will never have you skipping out on breakfast again:
Cooked oatmeal topped with almonds or dried cranberries
A whole-wheat pita stuffed with hard-boiled eggs
Leftover vegetable pizza
A corn or whole grain tortilla filled with vegetables, salsa and low-fat shredded cheese
A smoothie blended from exotic fruits, some low-fat yogurt and a spoonful of wheat germ
Whole-wheat crackers with low-fat cheese or peanut butter
A microwaved potato topped with broccoli and grated Parmesan cheese
A whole-wheat sandwich with lean meat and low-fat cheese and as much lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and sweet peppers as you like
Multigrain pancakes with fruit and yogurt
A whole-grain waffle with peanut butter
Egg omelet with vegetables (use more egg whites than yolk)

Comments

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I would be so hungry that I would die or commit mass murder on any of those breakfasts listed above. And I've tried most them, so I am not kidding. I need so much more food than that in the morning to even survive until lunch. I am a morning eater. When I go on a strict diet, I reverse the dinner and breakfast suggestions.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I think it is really a matter of personal preference. I am a light eater in the morning and have just a bowl of cereal or oatmeal or some toast. If I eat brunch, I have eggs and stuff. I cannot eat that much early in the day. I like a heavier lunch.

I really think this needs to be personalized for you so go for it!

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

I need protein at breakfast as well as a starchy food, otherwise I just cannot get going. I never skip breakfast - it is one meal I am rigid about. I will even get up have breakfast and go back to bed for a lie in!

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Good for you! I usually do fruit and oatmeal for breakfast unless it is later and then I will have heggs and toast. Yep.

[heyurs.livejournal.com]

Thanks for these recent health tips, dearie! :D

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I like to be useful! :)

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

Oatmeal is something I can't manage ever. It's like eating paper. I don't like veggies or cheese for breakfast either. Fruit is good and eggs or some other grain besides oatmeal.

The odd thing is breakfast is one of those meals that makes me hungry all day long. Never have understood that. Soon as breakfast is done, I'm hungry again.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Maybe it gets your tummy going. I love oatmeal and I do add milk to it and fruit so I like that. I also eat other cereals. Yep.

[stephmariemarsh.livejournal.com]

I never eat breakfast.. I should. I make sure the boys do, I should too!

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Sure! Have something with them. Moms gotta eat!

[jaiden-s.livejournal.com]

I eat a power bar first thing, then have a mid-morning snack of raisins, nuts and string cheese. :)

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

That is sensible. A snack is a good idea too. I should do that. I get hungry later. I think I would like fruit or something. Ya. I love raisins. They are like natural candy. I got some at the farmer's market recently and they were SO good.

[luin77.livejournal.com]

My mom always told me that and I never wanted to believe her until late in my 20ies. Now I got so used to breakfast that I get really hungry if I don't get anything to eat in the morning! The examples of healthy meals surprised me a bit, but I think that is because of different breakfast-cultures! :)

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I really stick to breakfast food for breakfast but I think they were trying to give some different choices for the meal. I am pretty into cereal and oatmeal and fruit for that one. I always do feel better when I have a little something.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Luin's right about different breakfast cultures, several of these had me blinking and two kind of horrified me, lol.

What you mentioned above about having a snack though -- as a woman you should eat something approximately every three hours, so an apple or a handful of raisins mid morning/afternoon are perfect.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I go too long without eating sometimes but they say that little meals more often is better. I think that is true. I think the food things mentioned here were "trying too hard" to be different and I really eat breakfast food for breakfast. I also have a small thing not a big meal but everyone is different as to what they do. I know I do feel better if I have a little something.

I do agree that eating more often is better for you.