September is the start of fall, football, and a new school year, there is no better time to eat a better breakfast to start your day. After all, it is the most important meal of the day, in more ways than you may know!
Breakfast literally means breaking the fast you had overnight, and eating a healthy, well-balanced breakfast in the morning kickstarts your metabolism and replenishes depleted glucose levels. By doing this, your body is more likely to burn more calories throughout the day and perform at its best. Eating in the morning can also help you avoid binge eating later in the day due to hunger and/or cravings.
While eating in the morning is imperative, what you eat is just as important. When thinking about breakfast, try to incorporate dairy, fat, carbohydrates, and protein into your meal, but focus on protein and fiber as this will help you stay fuller for longer. Also, remember not to overindulge in fat and carbohydrates. While a stack of pancakes may sound great, try opting for peanut butter oatmeal with Canadian bacon instead!
Eating a better breakfast also makes for a better body. Your body is most insulin sensitive in the morning, which allows us to use blood sugar more effectively. This makes eating a well-balanced breakfast even more important. Fiber heavy foods can help with the efficient use of blood sugar. In addition, many breakfast foods such as yogurt contain friendly bacteria that aid in digestion. Plain Greek yogurt with a few berries is a great way to help your digestion in the morning.
For some, the thought of eating in the morning turns their stomach, but there are a few ways to combat this. When eating in the evening, reduce your portion size slightly and eat earlier if you tend to eat late at night. Avoiding those late-night snacks can also help with your appetite in the morning. Breakfast doesn’t have to be boring! Find foods you like and explore different recipes to help get you excited to eat. If you have a busy morning, finding on-the-go foods can make it easier to eat while you commute. Hard boiled eggs are a great on-the-go breakfast food and are packed with protein! Lastly, if you can’t eat in the morning, having a mid-morning snack is better than breaking your fast with a large lunch.
With a better breakfast in the morning, you can improve your functioning throughout the day. Your memory and alertness will increase, you will experience an elevated mood, and be able to concentrate longer without your stomach grumbling. This Better Breakfast Month, try out some different recipes!
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be an exhaustive examination of the subject matter nor a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician or healthcare provider before beginning any diet or exercise program.