​Just about everybody is pressed for time these days, and even the most health-conscious of us may be tempted to skip breakfast in order to eke out a few more minutes in our day. However, though it may sound like a cliché, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Numerous studies have confirmed that breakfast is the most important meal of the day in terms of maintaining energy and brain function. People who eat a good breakfast consistently perform better on tests and report feeling more energetic than those who decide to skip it.
Eating a good breakfast is one of the best things you can do for your health. Avoid eating refined sugar as much as possible, difficult as it may be to turn down that breakfast Danish! Most breakfast cereals usually contain far too much sugar to be considered healthy. The better choice may be what our grandmothers used to eat; eggs, fruit, dairy and whole grains, which will provide you with steady energy to keep you going until lunchtime. Following are some breakfast ideas:
For the calories consumed, eggs provide a considerable amount of nutrition in the form of protein and minerals. There is nothing faster and easier than cooking up a quick batch of cheesy scrambled eggs in the morning. Break a couple of eggs into a bowl, whisk them briefly, then add to the pan, and as they begin to cook, add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. In less than five minutes you have a healthy fast and easy breakfast. Even kids love it!
Whole grain breads and cereals such as oatmeal provide healthy fiber and B vitamins. Oatmeal has been shown not only to lower cholesterol, but to also reduce your risk of contracting heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is one of the best sources of soluble and insoluble fiber, which both promotes digestion and helps to keep you feeling fuller longer, so you won’t start to get hungry halfway through your morning.
Try adding blueberries and honey to your morning bowl of oatmeal for an extra special breakfast treat. In addition to providing powerful antioxidants, blueberries have been shown to protect against cancer and promote healthy bone growth. Containing only 57 calories, a serving of 3.5 ounces of blueberries contains 25% of your recommended daily amount of vitamin C.
Smoothies may be the king breakfast recipes because they are quick and easy to make and are packed with lots of nutrients. They provide both fruit and dairy, giving you a good supply of calcium, vitamins and antioxidants. Also adding a scoop of high quality protein as contained in Ultra Meal or Ultimate Protein can have added benefits. These powders can help with energy, blood sugar and muscle building nutrients. Just one smoothie can fulfill most of the suggested daily requirement for fruits and vegetables, depending on what you put in it. And it’s quick and easy to throw a few items into a blender, hit the pulse button, and breakfast can be ready in seconds.
Before going to bed at night, plan what you will eat for breakfast the next morning, you can set out any non-perishable ingredients and set the table. This way, a fast and easy breakfast is already half prepared and you are not as likely to skip it due to being rushed.