Breakfast SHOULD be the most important meal of your day. Think of this way – how far would your car go if the gas tank was empty?
Even if you aren’t hungry and don’t feel like eating when you first wake up, your body needs some fuel. Adrenalin levels are high and your metabolism is revved up. If you don’t eat in the morning, then your body starts looking for other fuel sources, like your muscles, which means when you actually do eat later on, the body wants to store it for fat.
The bottom line: EAT BREAKFAST!! But make sure it’s healthy.
Load up on high fiber cereals. Eat them plain or combine two cereals together. Add low-fat milk or soy milk and finish off with slices of fresh fruit. Sprinkle in bran of psyllium to increase fiber. Look for cereals that have at least 4g fiber/serving.
Recommended high fiber cereals – oatmeal, oat bran, All Bran, Raisin Bran, Fiber One
Elaine’s tip: Try steel-cut oatmeal for a change. Cook up a big batch once a week and keep it in the fridge, reheating in the microwave as needed. Add in some chopped fruit.
How do you like your eggs? Scrambled, poached and boiled are great choices. If you want something different, have an omelet and be creative! Load it up with your favourite veggies and add low-fat cheese or lean meat.
Watching your cholesterol? Limit whole eggs to 2 per week. Try liquid egg whites or products such as Break Free or Omega Pro if you want to enjoy eggs more often.
For more great breakfast ideas, click HERE.
by Shauna Ratner
Registered Dietitian
St. Paul’s Healthy Heart Centre
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