An Ode to Breakfast

Breakfast just happens to be my favorite meal of the day (Exhibit A). As a kid, my friends would always laugh at me during sleepovers because the first words out of my mouth were always, “So, what are we having for breakfast?” Things still haven’t changed. I usually wake up starving… maybe it is my quick metabolism or my early-ish dinner time, but there is nothing better than a hearty, healthy breakfast. So many of my friends are not breakfast eaters, which just breaks my heart. Not only are there so many great breakfast foods, but it is also essential for weight management, focus, and good nutrition!

Skipping breakfast can make you feel more tired, perpetuating the morning haze that most people cure with coffee. Instead of grabbing that second or third or fourth cup, reach for some almonds, an apple, or a granola bar. This morning fuel will naturally rejuvenate your energy levels, and will help your focus and attentiveness without giving you the caffeine shakes.

Skipping breakfast can also lead to weight gain. This could be because your low blood sugar puts you in a bad mood, which makes you more likely to choose “comfort” foods at lunch. It also could be that you tend to eat more at lunch to compensate for your long fasting period, which is not good for the waist line either. Unfortunately, so many people skip breakfast as a dieting strategy, which is, as our beloved histology professor would say, shooting yourself in the foot.

As with all good sermons, my third and final point… breakfast is the best time to start out your day making health conscious decisions. Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, or whole grain cereals are a great way to get some healthy carbs and fiber into your diet. Milk, yogurt, and non-dairy alternatives are crucial to ensure you get calcium and vitamin A or D, and breakfast can often be the only place these treats make an appearance in an adult meal. Fruit is also a delicious addition to breakfast, whether it be mixed into oats or cereal or served whole on the side. We want to make sure we get those 5 a day!

Check this out for more information on why you should eat breakfast, and check out Kath Eats Real Food and Chocolate Covered Katie for some great breakfast ideas!

Question: Are you a breakfast eater? What is your favorite breakfast? I am such a breakfast fan that it is impossible for me to choose. I tend to go through phases, and definitely have trouble having the same thing multiple days in a row. Oatmeal has been my go-to most mornings because the possible variations are endless, and it is so cheap! My breakfast in the picture above is a bowl of CCK’s voluminous oatmeal with frozen blueberries, walnut pieces and chia seeds mixed in. Antioxidants abound… yum!