Forty years
of breakfast related studies show that jump starting the day with breakfast
benefits everyone -- children, teens and adults. "Eating breakfast is very important for
the brain and the body first thing in the morning", said Los
Angeles registered dietitian Gail Frank, spokesperson for the American Dietetic
Association. "Breakfast
skippers often feel tired, restless or irritable in the morning."
Breakfast is
the first chance the body has to refuel its glucose levels, also known as blood
sugar, after eight to 12 hours without a meal or snack. Glucose is essential for the brain and is the
main energy source. Blood glucose also helps fuel the muscles needed for
physical activity throughout the day.
"Breakfast
is also very important for weight loss and weight management," Frank said.
"You 'break the fast' of not eating for the past eight to 12 hours. It
helps curb your hunger and prevent binge eating later in the day. Breakfast is
important to manage your weight and potentially lose weight by eating less
calories throughout the day."
- Ready-to-eat whole-grain cereal topped
with fruit and a cup of yogurt
- Whole-grain waffles topped with peanut
butter, fruit or ricotta cheese
- A whole-wheat pita stuffed with sliced
hard-cooked eggs
- Hot cereal topped with cinnamon, nutmeg,
allspice or cloves
- Peanut butter on a bagel with fresh
fruit (banana or apple wedges) and low-fat milk
- Breakfast smoothie (milk, fruit and
teaspoon of bran, whirled in a blender)
- Vegetable omelet with a bran muffin and
orange juice
If your taste buds just do not crave breakfast foods in the morning, try:
- Lean ham on a toasted English muffin and
vegetable juice
- Cheese pizza and orange juice
- Grilled vegetables mixed with beans and
cilantro topped with cheese
- Heated leftover rice with chopped
apples, nuts and cinnamon and fruit juice
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