No matter how busy you are, it’s important to fuel your body so that you can have energy throughout the day. Having a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day. So don’t overlook this important meal. Select healthy options that fit your taste and lifestyle. After 12 hours of sleep your body has been fasting overnight, and in the morning you are almost in the first stages of starvation. Skipping breakfast keeps your body in ‘starvation’ mode, while eating a good meal in the morning will give your metabolism a boost. If you’re trying to lose weight, the last thing you want to do is keep your metabolism at this lowered state. Eating a healthy breakfast will increase your fat burning ability. Breakfast, therefore, can boost your energy levels as well as your metabolism for the day. Breakfast also provides a significant proportion of the day’s total nutrient intake and offers the opportunity to eat foods fortified with nutrients such as foliate, iron, vitamins and fiber. Essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can only be gained from food. Eating breakfast improves your thinking ability and keeps you at top mental performance. It provides your brain with fuel to enhance problem solving and memory retention. So, what does a healthy breakfast comply? A healthy breakfast should comprise a variety of foods. It should contain complex carbohydrates, protein and fibre. Protein can come from eggs, beans, or soy. Fibre and carbohydrates can be found in whole cereals, grains or in fruits. A good example of a healthy breakfast might be something like a boiled egg, an orange, and a bowl of whole grain cereal with skimmed milk. No matter what you choose, eating breakfast gives your body and your brain the energy they need to carry you through the day. Be good to yourself and eat breakfast, as it will make you feel much better throughout the day. Some days you might notice that breakfast is the only meal you eat at home. This means that your breakfast should be loaded with good amounts of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Milk and milk products are also important at any breakfast meal. Even though the egg is a popular favourite for many families, it’s important that you watch your egg-yolk intake because of the cholesterol content, but you can easily extend your intake by incorporating plenty of egg whites, particularly in omelette’s and scrambled eggs. As always choose the whole-grain breads and cereals whenever you can. Remember, breakfast is supposed to rejuvenate and give you loads of energy for your day. Consuming lots of fat and sugars will get your day off to a sluggish start. A piece of fresh fruit is another supreme choice for breakfast. Raw fruit is actually better than juice because of the fibre that you’ll get. If you really can’t start your day without a glass of juice then it’ll be your second best choice. Ends
