Start the Day Right With a Healthy Breakfast

You’ve heard it over and over. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

But is it really? What’s the big deal about skipping the morning meal when you’re in a hurry and expect to consume plenty of calories later in the day anyway?

As it turns out, the advantages of breakfast far exceed the extra time a quick morning meal might cost. Breakfast is the kick-starter for metabolism, your body’s natural inclination to burn calories. In addition to providing energy and focus for your day ahead, many studies link breakfast to overall good health. This means if you’re already focused on weight loss or maintenance, good heart health, and keeping diabetes at bay, breakfast is definitely the meal you need.

Skipping breakfast throws off your body’s natural rhythm for fasting and eating. By the time you get to lunch, you’ll find yourself far too famished to make wise decisions and instead of a grilled chicken salad, you might figure that burger and fries will make you feel better.

Breakfast also gives you a nutrient boost, since it’s an easy meal to add in servings of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains that will power you through the next several hours. Foods like smoothies, vegetable-laden egg dishes, or wheat toast topped with a protein and healthy fat (such as avocado and turkey) offer the power punch your body needs first thing in the morning. Without food in your system, your stomach overproduces the hunger hormone, your blood sugar shudders, and you find yourself reaching for whatever snack might be available–usually in the sugary, high-fat variety.

While eating anything might seem better than skipping breakfast altogether, you’ll get the most benefit from a combination of carbs, protein, healthy fat, and fiber. As a surgical weight loss patient, you’ll want to find the right combination that works for you. Think about making a large batch of egg muffins or fruit salad. By stretching one dish over several days, you’ll guarantee yourself less stress in the morning and have no excuse for not eating. Some great options to try include a healthier take on egg-in-a-hole, oatmeal blueberry yogurt pancakes, or quinoa and chia porridge. Keep in mind that healthy eating doesn’t have to break your budget, and breakfast foods lend themselves well to meal planning.

Once you’re well-fueled you’ll find that being active comes more easily as well. A balanced breakfast can motivate your workout and continue the cycle of healthy lifestyle development. Even if a workout isn’t on the day’s agenda, having the stamina to get through a full work day is definitely motivation enough to eat up before, on your way, or even right after you head out the door.

What are some of your favorite healthy breakfast items?