Breakfast – “The Most Important Meal of the Day”
Many people have heard the saying, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” This is true for a few reasons. Eating breakfast can help improve concentration, cognitive performance and assure our body has plenty of energy to use throughout the day! When we wake up in the morning, we need to replenish our fuel and “break the fast” from our last meal the day before. Think about a car with no gas – you wouldn’t try to drive a car on empty. Similar to a car, we need to refuel our body each morning to function properly.
Breakfast is also a great meal to help us consume important vitamins and minerals.
- Fiber: cereal, oatmeal, whole wheat toast and bagels
- Calcium and Vitamin D: milk, yogurt, and fortified orange juice
- Healthy Fats: nuts, nut butters, and seeds
- Protein: eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, nuts, and nut butters
- Vitamins and Minerals: fruits (fresh, dried, 100% juice), veggies, and fortified cereals
If mornings are a rush and it’s a challenge to squeeze in breakfast, try prepping your meal the night before so you can grab it and go! (Check out our “Boost Your Breakfast With These Bowls” post from September 2018 for more ideas!)
- Prep a batch of muffins over the weekend
- Store individual bags of frozen fruit and vegetables in the freezer for a fast smoothie in the morning
- Make mini egg omelets in muffin tins and store in the freezer for an already cooked protein packed breakfast
- Make overnight oats in a mason jar and grab them on your way out
- Keep yogurts in the fridge and pair with some berries
- Toast a frozen waffle and spread on your favorite nut butter
There are so many ways to start your day with a well-balanced meal. Try making breakfast part of your daily routine!
** With that said – as important as breakfast is, don’t forget about your other meals and snacks too! Be prepared with packed meals and snacks if you’re on the go so your body never has to run on empty.