For many folks this kind of a breakfast seems unusual. However it's a great, healthy way to start your day. Good protein, good fat, veggies, it'll stick with you and it's very satisfying. Most people are used to thinking of foods as belonging to a certain time of day but believe me when I tell you that your body does not classify foods as breakfast, lunch or dinner. And starting your day with a bowl of boxed cereal or toast is actually one of the worst things you can do to yourself.
You've just come off a fast. For most folks it's been at least 10 hours since your last meal. While you sleep your body slows down it's processing, by about 10%. If you go more than 12 hours without eating it slows down by 40%. You need to boost your metabolism so that it can burn the calories that you are putting into it and make use of the nutrients you are providing. Simple carbs and sugar may feel like they are giving you an energy boost but what they do is rev up the insulin rollercoaster. This leaves you feeling tired at 3:00 PM looking for a quick fix snack. It can also lead to that spoon hitting the bottom of the Ben & Jerry's container at 9:30 PM with you thinking 'what just happneed.'
I've had this conversation with several people this week so I'm thinking it needs to be shared. If you do not provide a solid nutritional base for your body as you move through the day it will become metabolically unstable. This means that your body chemicals won't function the way they're supposed to. It also means that at some point they are going to start sending out 'SOS Feed Me' signals. And folks, I'm here to tell you that your brain chemicals will win every time. It's not that you have no willpower, it's that your body is a beautifully designed creation that is programmed to survive and those chemicals are one way to make sure it gets what it needs, food. Unfortunately if we're metabolically unstable your body is going to send out signals for fast energy, that means sugar and simple carbs.
The point is, it's important to start your day with a good nutritional foundation. And to keep it up all day long. The more you do this the better your body will feel and the less you will fight with those cravings. So step outside the box. Have dinner for breakfast for a change. You might discover that you like it.
Be well.
I was just talking with my husband this past weekend about different countries and what they eat for breakfast and how I've noticed that the States is very sweet and carb focused where as folks in the UK will have beans or a burrito in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that once you start feeding your body right, it will let you know when you don't. I hate traveling because I often miss those quality protein boosts I get at home for breakfast- carb-based mornings leave you feeling icky when you're used to something so much more balanced.