They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only does this meal set the tone for your day, it also provides you with the necessary nutrients and energy to keep you going all day long. A good breakfast is known to also increase your attention span, heighten your sense of well-being and help you to better control your emotions – wouldn’t that be nice!Here are some ways to add a little extra “punch” to your morning cuisine with added nutrients, protein and other “good stuff”:
Oh-oh-oatmeal. Make your oatmeal with low-fat milk instead of water for added calcium and an extra creamy finish. You can also mix in some nuts, raisins, flaxseed or cranberries for some added texture and uber antioxidants, fiber and other good stuff!
Add some crunch. Top your morning yogurt off with some of your fav cereal (think the healthy kind) and some fresh fruits or berries. Frozen or dried fruits can even be used if your favorite fruits are not in season.
Whip it up. For a breakfast smoothie toss some low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana into the blender and give it a whirl for a quick and on-the-go tasty way to start your day.
Top it off. Start with your breakfast standards like whole-grain cereal, waffles, pancakes, toast, etc., then and add some low fat yogurt or almond butter and fruit.
Roll it up. Fill your favorite kind of tortilla with some sliced hard-boiled egg, low-fat cheese and some salsa or fresh tomato or avocado. For a sweet approach to a Mexican breakfast, spread some peanut butter on a tortilla and top with some banana slices.
If you are not really the breakfast type, why not skip straight to lunch (in the morning) and grab a sandwich with some sliced turkey, low-fat cheese, lettuce, and tomato on whole-grain bread? And, if leftover pizza suits you, a slice of veggie pizza provides you with some of the good stuff to get you going.
Remember, a good breakfast should provide you with at least one third of your day’s calories. That doesn’t mean you should go for the sugary sweet cereals that our kids ask for… these calories should be from non-processed foods without excessive sugar, salt, fat or additives. By choosing to eat breakfast rather than forgo it, you actually have better chances of maintaining a healthy weight. When you eat a good breakfast, your body will be satisfied longer and you will be eating food when your body best burns calories. Plus, when you skip the meal, your tendencies of being less productive with a short attention span and foul mood are higher.
So, make sure that you plan ahead and take the time to start your day off on the right foot with a nutritious breakfast!
What gets you going strong in the morning? Tell us about for favorite breakfast foods in the comments section below.
This message has been brought to you by The Chester County Hospital and Health System.
