Starting Your Day Right
The most skipped meal of the day is the most important. Many people rush out of their homes just to sit in traffic to arrive at work on time. Less and less people every year are waking up a bit early to eat a proper breakfast. Whether you make the breakfast yourself or stop at a store, it is important to eat a healthy and nutritious meal to start the day.
Coffee
Millions of people every morning start their day with a fresh cup of coffee. There are many varieties of this beverage and it is available in multiple flavors and in both decaffeinated and regular. No one variety is better than the other and the variety is based solely on preference. However, did you know starting the day with coffee is not healthy? The ideal way to start the day is with water. In the morning, prior to leaving your home, you should always drink a full glass of water to get your metabolism going for the day. After you have this initial glass of water is the time to start your morning cup of coffee. The water will help get your body going in a healthy way and will allow you to start your day properly hydrated.
Cereal
Another quick and easy way to get an early morning meal in to start your day is with a bowl of cereal; however, not all cereals are created equally. Do you buy cereal based on taste or based on nutrition? A lot of major companies use a lot of artificial flavors and preservatives. In addition, some of the cereals out there have a ridiculous amount of sugar. So, when it comes time to finding a cereal to eat, make sure you investigate what you are buying. Look for options that have less sugar and less artificial ingredients and stick to ones with natural grains and fruits. If you are worried that the healthy cereal will not be tasty enough you can always add some natural fruit to a basic bowl in the morning to improve the taste and the nutritional value.
Breakfast Bars
Is it even possible to count the number of different options for breakfast bars that exist today? Does a pop tart count as a breakfast bar? There are no easy answers to these questions. All we can say for sure is the amount of quick and easy morning meals in a single package is ridiculous and just like cereal they are not all created equally. The amount of natural ingredients, the amount of preservatives, and the amount of sugar in these bars vary greatly. You can buy these bars almost anywhere but the best way to purchase them is in bulk, buying a case at a time not only saves on the cost of these but allows you to look at what you are eating. A best practice to have is to identify what flavors you want and research into what is in each bar. You want to ensure the bars are made of healthy natural ingredients and are practical in the amount of sugar they have in them. In addition, sugar is not always the worst ingredient. Be careful when purchasing a sugar free product because the amount and type of other sweeteners used can be worse than a small amount of sugar. Once your research is complete, buy a few assorted flavors of the bars you have identified as healthy and the best for you, and stock up so you have them and can rotated the flavors based on the day, so you don’t grow tired of them.
Bagels, Donuts, and Fast Food
Bagel shops, donut shops, and fast food restaurants can be found almost anywhere and they offer a high calorie breakfast. This breakfast option is not always bad but you must limit how much you consume. Getting an Egg McMuffin, a bagel, or a donut a few times a month is not terrible but having one every day is awful for you. The amount of salt or sugar in these products is way too much for daily consumption. With that being said, having a donut or a bagel at a monthly office meeting can be beneficial. You might have a big day in front of you and might need the extra pick me up the extra carbs and sugar offers. In addition, if you over sleep, getting a quick breakfast at a fast food chain is better than not eating at all. However, it is imperative you do not fall into the habit of being a regular at any of these breakfast option places. Doing so will almost certainly result in weight gain and poor nutrition. In conclusion, an occasional donut or bagel will not kill you but you much use restraint and judgment when eating these foods.
The Ideal Breakfast
The title is somewhat misleading because there really is no such thing as an ideal meal. Every food has some positives and some negative nutritional value to it. However one thing is for certain, a home cooked meal is always the best option. The ideal way to start your day is to make your own breakfast and to diversify what you are eating on a daily basis. Eggs of any style, a breakfast meat, and toast are a great way to start your day. You can change up the meal by having a homemade muffin or a type of specialized bread like homemade banana bread. The key component is to learn to cook and bake things yourself. Doing so will help you control what is in your meal and allows you to accommodate any dietary restriction you might have. These homemade meals can be as simple as a bowl of oatmeal or as complicated as a poached egg sandwich. A healthy meal and start of the day always lies in ingredients and freshness and by learning to cook. It is the best way to ensure your nutritional needs are met and your diet is healthy.
How you start your day will affect how your mood and how you feel through the day. Forgetting about breakfast is a crucial mistake made by too many people. So, in conclusion, ensure you save the necessary time in the morning to eat and drink properly every day. If you found this article of interest, please share on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.