Breakfast Blunders

We've often heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  But for many people, it's the throw-away, most neglected meal of the day.  They make common breakfast blunders all the time.  Scarfing down bagels and cream cheese, a sugary meal replacement bar, the largest coffee with loads of cream, sugar and artificial flavors is not a healthy way to start the day. While I do understand things can be a little rushed or chaotic in the mornings, they don't have to be with a little planning.  It is a challenge in my house as well. Not so much of a time issue, but sometimes I struggle with what am I going to eat today.  I am not a traditional breakfast person.  I am just as happy eating a black bean burger and a side of fruit for breakfast as I am with a veggie omelet and toast.  But sometimes I hit a brick wall and don't know what the heck I want to eat.  But what I do know is this:  There are three things that can help jumpstart your day the right way and sustain you until at least mid-morning or lunch.  They are:  produce, protein and
whole-grains.


Produce:

Fruits and vegetables pack a powerful punch in the world of food.  They deliver a lot of healthy vitamins nutrients our bodies need to survive and thrive.  If you go with whole fruit rather than fruit juice, you'll take in fiber too!

Protein:

The leaner, the better of course.  Stay away from fatty, highly-processed packaged sources and choose cleaner, fresher ones.   Protein provides you with the strength and stamina you need throughout the day.  Dairy can also provide a good source of protein as well.  So consider adding milk or yogurt to your morning menu.

Whole-Grains

Life would be so empty without whole grains.  They give you tons of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.  Fiber help you stay full.  Good, quick sources of whole grains are whole-grain cereal, whole-grain bread and oatmeal (not the artificially flavored and sweetened ones - good old fashion rolled oats you sweeten and flavor yourself)


Ok, so now you have the main ingredients, let's put them all together to make a healthy breakfast.

Here are a couple of options I like. 

1 slice of "whole-grain" toast topped with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese (protein/dairy) and 1 tomato (produce/fruit/fiber)

 Or you could do....

Scrambled eggs (protein) wrapped in a "whole-grain" tortilla with avocado and tomato (produce).

How about a cup of Greek yogurt (protein/dairy) topped with your favorite berries (produce/fruit) sprinkled with granola or muesli (whole-grains) or with a side of toast.

See how easy it is to kick breakfast blunders to the curb?  You can do the right thing for your body and give it what it needs and yearns for daily - NUTRITION!  No matter if it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a snack, produce, protein and whole-grains are the three keys to any healthy meal.  Oh, and don't forget:  DRINK YOUR WATER!!!  This will also help keep you full, hydrated, ward off cravings and flush out all the bad stuff !

Talk to you later my healthy and wealthy friends.  It's time for my late Saturday morning breakfast!  Today, it's going to be 3-bean chili, loaded with tons of veggies (no meat) and a warm, whole-grain tortilla!  Yum!  Can't wait!  Message me if you want the recipe!  Ciao!