Rise and Shine: Why Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day

Now that the kids are back to school you probably feel like there is less time for you. From packing lunches to checking homework, to getting laundry done, there is barely any time left in the day to do things you like.

You may even find yourself skipping meals without realizing it because you’re so busy doing things for other people.

It’s time to prioritize your health and well-being. Never skip a meal, especially breakfast, which is often the meal most people overlook. However, breakfast is undeniably one of the most vital meals of the day, supplying your body with the essential energy required to power through the rest of your day.

Besides all the health benefits that breakfast has, there are so many tasty breakfast foods to choose from!

3 Benefits of a Good Breakfast

We’ve always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is because the word breakfast actually means “break-fast”. After a long rest of 7-10 hours, your body needs food upon waking to replenish your energy levels and nutrients.

Eating in the morning helps you to feel more awake and alert throughout the day. Your focus is better, and you can handle more tasks in less time than if you were on an empty stomach.

Starting the day with a meal helps to prevent energy slumps later. Eating when you wake up helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, so you won’t feel jittery before that mid-morning meeting or class.

Having breakfast reduces the chance that you will engage in mindless snacking later in the day. Since you’ll feel satiated from your well-balanced meal, you won’t feel the need to pick at foods that are less nourishing for your body.

Fun Breakfast Ideas

There are so many wonderful breakfast foods to choose from, here are just a few ideas you can try:

Yogurt & Cereal Parfait: Mix vanilla or lemon yogurt with ¼ cup of nuts, fresh or dried fruit, and bran flakes in a cup or container. It’s perfect for home or for when you’re on the go!

Ham & Egg Wrap: Slice a hard-boiled egg, then roll it in an 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla with a piece of Canadian bacon and slice of cheese (if desired).

Fruit & Cheese: Slice an apple and cut up some cheddar cheese. Add a sprinkle of walnuts for some additional fiber and protein!

Peanut Butter Waffle: Toast a whole-grain waffle and swap the syrup with a dollop of peanut butter. Top this with some raisins, peanuts, or sesame seeds for extra fiber.

Strawberry Shake: In a blender, combine vanilla or strawberry instant-breakfast powder and 1 cup of plain soy milk. Add fresh strawberries and/or bananas if desired.

Berry Burst:Combine cottage cheese with blueberries, and a tablespoon of chopped almonds or walnuts for a breakfast high in antioxidants and protein.

Fruity Wrap:Layer a small whole-wheat tortilla with peanut butter and some all-fruit strawberry jam.

Egg Sandwich: On a whole-wheat English muffin, place a scrambled egg and add a slice of low-fat Monterey Jack cheese. Enjoy with pink grapefruit sections on the side.