Many people like to say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While every meal is equally important, breakfast serves as a great way to have a successful day. Here are some reasons why breakfast is special and how you can make it a delicious part of your day.
What makes breakfast important
When you sleep, you are not eating so your body uses carbohydrates stored in your muscles and liver to work. Once you wake, the carbohydrate storage is low and it is important to replenish it by eating breakfast. Breakfast will supply the energy you need to start the day as well as essential nutrients. Eating breakfast can also make you feel more awake and put you in a better mood!
Without a meal to start the day, your body will use fatty acids for energy, which are not as useful as carbohydrates. Skipping breakfast can cause tiredness, hunger, and overeating later in the day. To make sure you are ready for the day, it is important to try to eat a meal within 2 hours of waking up. Sometimes we skip breakfast because we don’t have enough time or we are too tired so it helps to have quick breakfast recipes we can make in the morning or the night before.
What to eat for breakfast
The best breakfast includes at least 3 of the main food groups. The main food groups are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. This Banana Berry Parfait is a simple breakfast option you can make for every day of the week. This recipe includes nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt, which is delicious and high in protein. Protein helps you feel fuller longer so you can feel energized until lunch or a mid-morning snack.
Eggs are a breakfast favorite for many and they are good for you too. The egg white is high in protein while the yolk contains several important vitamins and minerals including choline. Choline helps with your memory and mood. A Ham & Veggie Frittata is a tasty way to serve eggs and vegetables in the morning that can be saved and reheated for a quick bite to start the next day off right.
Oatmeal is another simple breakfast idea and it is high in fiber. Fiber is great for helping you feel full and it can also help lower cholesterol. To make it tastier and more nutritious, prepare oatmeal with 1% low-fat milk and your favorite fruit. You can also try ONIE’s Banana Baked Oatmeal for a delicious breakfast option that can feed the whole family.