Ready.. Set.. Breakfast!

health

Photo courtesy of GreenandCleanMom.org

The other day, my friends I were discussing our favorite meal of the day.. Breakfast! We went around the room discussing what we typically had for breakfast. We all had something different to say.. ranging from a trusty bowl of honey nut cheerios to last night's leftovers to not having enough time for breakfast.

So, why breakfast? It is easily the most overlooked meal of the day. I'm the Queen of Busy, so when I think of breakfast, I need something that is going to be easily edible on the go. In fact, the more portable, the more likely I am to eat the item. The reported benefits of eating breakfast make a strong case for this often neglected meal. Positive benefits include: increased energy levels, decreased disease risk, and bigger memory capability. When it comes to that first morning meal, the reasons to fuel your body are virtually endless. 

Below is a short compilation of why eating breakfast is so important.

• High Energy. A healthy breakfast provides you with enough nutrients to energize your body for hours.
• Smart Eating. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast consume more vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and less fat and cholesterol leading to an overall healthier nutrient consumption.
• Calorie Reduction. People who don’t eat breakfast are likely to eat more calories throughout the day than people who skip lunch, according to the Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health and Media.
• Decreased Diabetes Risk. People who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be diabetic than those who usually don’t, according to the American Heart Association.
• Weight Control. A study by the National Weight Control Registry shows that eating breakfast actually helps keep people’s weight down.
• Full Focus. According to the American Dietetic Association, people who eat breakfast are better able to concentrate and be more productive throughout the morning.
• Making Memories. According to experts, eating breakfast improves memory and learning. In one study, college students who ate a morning meal scored 22 percent higher in a word-recall test than those who skipped breakfast (Perfect for those annoying vocab quizzes!) 
• Urge to Exercise. Researchers believe that people who eat breakfast have higher energy levels and may engage in more physical activity than people who don’t because of this increased energy level. 
• Happy Days. Skipping breakfast can make you feel tired, irritable, or sad. Even grabbing some fresh fruit or a bowl of cereal can help boost your mood.
• Stress Be Gone. The time you spend eating breakfast can be relaxing and help you to mentally prepare for the day. Eating breakfast also forces you to slow down, helping you to prioritize.

As if those 10 items weren't convincing enough to slow down for breakfast.. here are some lesser known Fun Breakfast Fact.

• Astronauts from Apollo 11 boosted their brain power while in space with a cereal breakfast. The cereal was mixed with fruit and pressed into cubes since the lack of gravity kept the astronauts from pouring it into a bowl with milk.
• Cereal was invented when colonial housewives started serving up popcorn with sugar and cream for breakfast (Yummy!)
• There are 2.7 billion packages of cereal sold every year – that’s enough boxes to wrap around the Earth thirteen times.

So if you're constantly on the go go go, remember to fuel your tank and eat a solid breakfast. The important thing to remember is that a solid breakfast does not necessarily mean a heavy breakfast. Below are some basics of a healthy breakfast.

• Whole grains. Options include whole-grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers, or melba toast.
• Low-fat protein. Options include hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat.
• Low-fat dairy. Options include skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.
• Fruits and vegetables. Options include fresh fruits and vegetables or 100 percent juice beverages without added sugar.

Together, these core groups provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein and a small amount of fat — a combination that packs big health benefits and that also can leave you feeling full for hours. Try to choose one or two options from each category to round out a healthy breakfast!

Stay tuned for an update about in the OC Living: Family Dinner.. Breakfast for Dinner!