what to eat for breakfast

So many of us eat breakfast mindlessly.  Wake up, get ready for the day, shove something in our mouths and hit the ground running.  By not being mindful about what we choose to start our day with we may be setting ourselves up for a nutritional crash later in the day.

Breakfast when we examine the word means breaking the fast.  For most of us it has been at least 10 hours if not more since we last ate.  Our bodies need fuel.  And not the kind that comes from a bowl of sugary over-processed cereal, a doughnut and a cup of coffee, or even a bagel with cream cheese.  We need substance and protein to start the day off right and to ensure our blood sugar stays balanced.

Sometimes it can be helpful to think outside the box when it comes to breakfast.  Instead of reaching for a prepared boxed food take a moment to sit down at a meal.  If you are in a hurry start your morning with a healthy shake and bring a good meal with you to eat at the office.  Borrow from the breakfast traditions of other cultures and consider foods that you may not have thought of eating before such as a miso soup or a bowl of beans and greens.

The above picture represents a Mediterranean type of breakfast.  Olives and avocados provide a healthy fat, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs for protein, whole grain bread, cucumber and tomato salad with olive oil and fresh herbs.  Instead of margarine on the bread you could have butter or a thickened yogurt cheese.  

Start your day right and you won't regret it.