Most breakfast foods contain ingredients that are doing your body more harm than good. What you put into your body to start your day or break-the-fast sets your energy, mood, digestion and metabolism. If you want to make dramatic shifts in how you feel, manage hunger, cravings and even sleep, then re-examining your breakfast is a great place to start.
Most Breakfast Options Will Make You Feel:
Bloated
Fatigued
Moody
Hungrier
Is your breakfast setting you up for failure?
Not everyone can find the time to eat a nutritious, balanced breakfast. While a protein packed omelet may sound ideal, a home c
ooked breakfast may not be as you are rushing out the door in the morning. Most quick breakfast options are packed with processed carbs and sugar, most energy bars are just candy bars in disguise and most protein shakes contain processed ingredients. All of these will sap your energy and send you into a spiral of cravings, fatigue and mood swings throughout the day.
What to avoid for breakfast:
1: Most protein bars and shakes
Most protein products are marketed as healthy, but lack nutrition and are packed with processed ingredients that your body won’t recognize.
2: Breakfast cereals
Most breakfast cereals are highly-processed and contain very little nutrition, even the fortified cereals.
3. Pancakes, toast and muffins
Bread products are also void of nutrition, raise blood sugar, and cause cravings. Refined flours alone are linked to insulin resistance and obesity, while these options also tend to come with added sugar.
4. Sweetened yogurt
Most sweetened, non-fat yogurts contain more added sugar than ice cream. Eating this for breakfast will send your blood sugar out of control and send you on a spiral of fatigue and cravings for the rest of the day.
The Benefits of Starting Your Day With Protein
1. Fewer Cravings & Potential Weight Loss
Protein for breakfast increases satiety helping you feel fuller for longer.
2. Balanced Blood Sugar
Protein helps balance your blood sugar, while breaking the fast with carbs or sugar leads to spikes in blood sugar, followed by sharp dips in energy and brainpower.
3. More Energy
Protein provides longer-lasting energy than carbs, without the crash of sugar.
To power up your day, I recommend a healthy smoothie. It’s a perfect way to balance blood sugar levels, manage cravings and weight and improve energy levels. It’s also easy to digest and absorb the nutrients.
1 cup unsweetened plant based milk ( I recommend coconut or almond)
1 cup organic fruit ( I like to use 1/2 c frozen wild berries and 1/2 banana)
Handful of organic spinach or kale
Protein powder ( collagen (vital proteins) or plant based (garden of life)
1-2 TB healthy fat (chia seeds, nut butter, coconut oil, avocado)
Optional add ins:
Cacao powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, ice
To your health & happiness,
Amy