Trying to stay healthy can sometimes feel frustrating and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Science shows that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. However, with the hectic and crazy morning rush, a lot of people usually ditch eating breakfast.
Even the few who stick to the habit of eating breakfast before stepping out don’t seem to choose the right foods. Further research has proved that eating a breakfast that contains slow-burning carbohydrates plays a critical role in maintaining concentration and attention throughout the morning hours.
So, which nutrients should feature prominently in your breakfast to keep you going all morning until lunch? Read on to find out the three essential needs of a healthy breakfast.
Proteins
Eating a protein-packed breakfast will help you feel full for longer. It can also optimize your brain’s ability to relay messages to the rest of your body, helping you stay alert for much longer. Combining proteins and carbohydrates will ensure that your body has sufficient food to digest gradually and keep you energized until the lunch hour.
It doesn’t matter whether it is a weekend and you are enjoying your breakfast in a breakfast Gatineau restaurant or preparing it yourself at home; make sure that it is packed with plenty of proteins to keep you going. Some of the good protein sources at breakfast include eggs, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.
Whole Grains
You need to consume plenty of whole grains in the morning to stay sharp and focused throughout the day. Whole grains are loaded with a wide range of nutrients such as fiber, vitamin B1, antioxidants, proteins, and healthy minerals such as zinc, iron, and magnesium.
When you develop a habit of eating a healthy breakfast packed with whole grains, you reduce the risk of developing common health complications such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even certain types of cancers.
Eating whole grains in the morning will also reduce your urge to grab a snack in between breakfast and lunch, which can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Various studies have established that eating oats for breakfast can leave you feeling full for a longer time than other common types of breakfast foods.
When the weekend arrives, and you want to enjoy your breakfast in a restaurant, remember to request the waiter/waitress to include plenty of whole grains in your serving. Feel free to try out whole-wheat toast, whole-wheat English muffin, or oatmeal.
Fruits/Vegetables
Getting fruits and vegetables to your breakfast table shouldn’t be hard. Incorporating them into your breakfast gives you a healthy breakfast with more vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Fruits are a great source of complex carbohydrates that play a critical role in your body system.
Fruits and vegetables also provide vitamin C, which boosts your body’s immune system and facilitates growth and repair of body cells.
Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables in the morning will enhance the detoxification phase that usually takes place between 7 am and 11 am. You can try adding fruits to your yogurt or eat them on the side of whatever else you are consuming for breakfast.
