Eating breakfast: Timing is Everything
The old phrase breakfast is the most important meal of the day actually has some truth in it. Modern scientific research has shown that low blood sugar experienced on waking can be controlled by early eating, ensuring the metabolism has a good kick off to the day.
Benefits to Breakfast Eaters
Compared tot heir non-breakfast eating counterparts, breakfast eaters are more likely to be:
- Of a more normal weight range.
- Able to maintain a more stable weight.
- Be able to meet their daily nutritional requirements, such as their carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin and mineral requirements. Science has proven that the nutrients missed with breakfast are not replaced later in the day.
- More alert, and having increased levels of concentration, memory and intellectual performance throughout the day.
- Are less likely to unhealthy snacks throughout the day, avoiding extra calories and potential weight gain.
- In a better mood, as non-breakfast eaters are often tired and irritable in the mornings.
Making Breakfast Convenient
Many people claim not to eat breakfast as they simply don’t have the time as they rush out the door for work or school. Others don’t like to eat breakfast as they are simply not hungry in the mornings, which is usually a result of late night eating.
A healthy breakfast takes a little forward planning, so here are some easy tips to get your body, mind and pantry ready for the most important meal of the day:
- Don’t eat late at night. The general rule of thumb is to not eat at least 3-4 hour before retiring, drinking lots of water and herbal teas in between. Late eating doesn’t give your body the chance to digest properly, leaving you with indigestion and a lack of appetite for breakfast in the morning.
- Keep a good supply of wholegrain cereals and breads in the house. There are quick to prepare, nutritious, and unlike their refined counterparts ensure lasting energy levels throughout the day.
- Shop regularly. Fruit and dairy products in particular are better bought fresh.
- Prepare half a dozen boiled eggs at the beginning of the week and store them back in your fridge. They can then be quickly peeled in the morning to mash up on to a piece of wholegrain toast.
- Stock up on food at work. More often than not, there is a 5-10 minute window after arriving at work where we can make ourselves a cup of tea while toasting a piece of wholegrain bread or making a bowl of wholegrain cereal, fruit and yogurt.
Easy Ideas for Breakfast
- A bowl of wholograin cereal with low fat milk, topped with berries, yogurt or any other fresh fruit you may prefer.
- A fruit smoothie made your blender with fresh fruit, honey, low-fat or soy milk.
- Wholegrain toast topped with a topping made from a combo of either tomato, avocado, boiled eggs, organic peanut butter or organic baked beans.
- Gluten-free, Bircher or any untoasted museli topped with berries and half a banana.
- A vegetable omelette cooked in the pan with olive oil and left over vegetables from dinner the night before.
- Eggs and tomato, whether they be poached, fried (in olive oil) or hard-boiled.
