The Power of Breakfast
We've always thought breakfast was the best and most important meal of the day. As it turns out, nutrition experts now agree with us.
Starting your day with a healthy breakfast, no matter what your age, can improve both your mental and physical health in the short- and long-term.
Why does breakfast matter?
A good breakfast provides an immediate, important energy boost by replenishing your glucose, which fuels the brain. This helps you throughout the day to be more energetic, have better concentration, and be extra productive. This energy boost is essential not only for adults at work, but also for your kids' success in school.
Breakfast also makes you more likely to exercise and promotes a more balanced eating pattern for the rest of your day. Why? Well, there are several theories on this. Eating breakfast can reduce your hunger later in the day and it may help you to forgo eating dense, high-fat, high-cholesterol foods for lunch, snacks, and even dinner. Skipping breakfast can slow down your metabolism for the rest of the day, making your body less efficient at burning calories.
What should you eat for breakfast?
There's a virtually limitless assortment of breakfast options out there, making it difficult to choose the most beneficial ones. You already know some of the least healthy selections, including those tantalizing chocolate croissants and cream-filled doughnuts. Eaten very occasionally, these options won't cause much more than a mid-morning "sugar crash" and lethargy for the rest of the day. Generally though, you'll want to have a breakfast that's protein-rich, high in fiber, and includes a few servings of fruits, vegetables and 100% fruit juice with no added sugar.
If your focus now is primarily on losing weight, consider a daily breakfast with a lot of complex carbohydrates and fiber. Cereal is a great option for this. Look for a cereal with a whole grain or bran listed as the first ingredient with at least 6 grams of fiber per serving. Add skim milk, a banana, and a glass of Florida's Natural® Brand Premium orange juice to round out this healthy breakfast.
For a breakfast that's all about fueling your brain and body, make sure to eat a protein-rich breakfast. The "brain power" of protein is especially important for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Proteins like peanut butter, lean slices of meat, or water-packed tuna can add nutrients (and variety) to your family's breakfast. And eggs are a good option once or twice a week, if they're prepared without using butter or oils. Consider hard-boiled eggs, or use a non-traditional omelet recipe such as the Fresh Start Power Omelet we're featuring in this newsletter.