How to Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Never go to bed without knowing what you are going to eat for breakfast. There are so many quick healthy breakfast options. Boiling eggs, prepping some overnight oats, or chopping up some veggies the night before will make your morning simple and guilt free!
Stick with Whole Grains. Whole grains are so much better for you because they retain their outer layer which contains the nutrients, oils, and fiber. This keeps you full longer, has a more stable effect on your blood sugar, and nourishes you.
Read the ingredient list. Boxes can be misleading! Try to stick with something that has the first ingredient listed as “Whole (name of grain) ”, such as “Whole Wheat Flour. It could say “Made with Whole Grains” on the front of the box, but when you read the ingredient list, it is a very small percentage mixed with the refined stuff! Remember – if you can’t pronounce it – don’t buy it!
Remember eggs? Many people stopped eating eggs because they are high in cholesterol. But our bodies need cholesterol in order to maintain healthy function (including hormone regulation). Eating eggs, for healthy individuals, should not be considered dangerous! They are so good for us! As with all animal products, make sure they are organic so you do not end up ingesting antibiotics or arsenic with your eggs! Eggs do not take long to cook. Just a couple of minutes. You can boil eggs for the whole week and keep them in the fridge for a fast breakfast.
Protein, protein, protein. Eating a breakfast high in protein will keep you going until lunch. Think outside the box. Try full fat plain organic yogurt with berries and nuts, leftover brown rice with organic peanut butter and a touch of honey, a homemade egg sandwich with whole grain bread, or hot quinoa. Quinoa is actually a whole grain that contains 8 grams of high quality protein per cup!
Breakfast does not have to be breakfast!
Why do we only eat certain foods for breakfast? In America, it is either full of sugar – or bacon and eggs – or biscuits and gravy. In other parts of the world, breakfast food is much the same as the rest of the day. If you like beans and rice, there is no reason you can’t eat it for breakfast!
(photo credit: Granola oatmeal with soymilk flickr user daisybush by daisybush – http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennajones/2732313297/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – )