What’s for Breakfast?

My goal today is to convince you to never skip breakfast again.  It doesn’t matter if you’re one of those people who think they don’t need it, or don’t have time for it.  You do need it, and you should make time for it if at all possible. 

Let’s talk about why it’s so important to start your day with breakfast.  

But first a fun tidbit: did you know that the word itself comes from the idea of “breaking the fast”?  That’s right.  At night, in theory, you stop eating 8 hours before you start eating again in the morning.  This “fast” gives your body much needed time to recuperate, repair cells, digest remaining food, and do whatever other good things it does of which we remain peacefully and sleepily unaware.

Three reasons (though there are many) to break the fast:

1. Curb cravings later in the day.  Breakfast is one of your best defenses against mindless snacking, especially if you’re eating a nutritionally dense and satisfying meal.  Trust me, the oatmeal you eat at home is far better for you than the 600 calorie scone and 700 calorie vanilla latte you pick up as a mid-morning snack on the go.
2. Get focus and energy.  Most of us have a far easier time focusing after we’ve had something to eat in the morning.  Don’t wait until lunch to nourish your body and mind, and get enough to eat such that your growling stomach isn’t interrupting your 10am meeting.
3. Lose weight.  If you eat more in the morning, and less later in the day, you’re more likely to lose weight than if you do the opposite (eat a lot for dinner), which is what most of us do.  According to the National Weight Control Registry, of those who have kept weight off over time, 78% eat breakfast.  So as one of my favorite authors, Michael Pollan, suggests: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper!

What to eat you ask?  What do you like, I ask?  I personally enjoy a piping hot bowl of oatmeal (not the instant kind though, as it’s more processed) with some nuts, cinnamon, fruit and occasionally a drizzle of agave nectar if I need it sweeter.

Or, if something heartier strikes your fancy and you have the time, opt for eggs or egg whites.  I personally enjoy some eggs with greens (kale and brussels like the picture... or spinach and garlic... or asparagus... go nuts!), but often don’t have the time for that.  If you’re short on time but want the egg, crack one into a small bowl, mix it up, and microwave for 30-60 seconds, watching to make sure you’re egg doesn’t explode.  Better yet, hard boil eggs ahead of time and grab one on the way to work for a super quick and nutritious breakfast.

What to avoid: sugary cereals (if you can't remember or don't know why, re-read this post), meals that are high in saturated fat (sorry, bacon!), low or no fiber meals (sorry, bacon!), or desserts.  Unless your dessert consists of fruit.  

So do it!  Eat breakfast every day!  You'll feel better, I assure you.