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Healthy Breakfast – The Most Important Meal of the Day

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:25:14 +0000

Almost everyone treats breakfast as the least important meal of the day. It never gets the attention it deserves. Dinner, on the other hand, is the kind of meal that should always be light and healthy, but we end up overeating at the dinner table (great way to gain weight since the body does not burn the calories readily, after all, you will be going to bed soon). Furthermore, we wake up the next morning ‘not feeling hungry’ for breakfast. This is the single biggest mistake for anyone trying to lose weight. A meal that is grossly underrated, breakfast ‘breaks your overnight fast’ and is therefore the most important meal for the day. It allows you to begin the day with energy and vitality.

Isn’t it an irony that a timely and nutritious breakfast is a rarity for most of us? You may be a busy corporate executive or a top-level athlete, the importance of breakfast remains the same for everyone. Let us analyze the role that breakfast plays in our life.

Here are the basic truths about that first meal of the day:

Skipping breakfast won’t make you thinner.
Skipping this meal will usually cause you to eat more for lunch and / or dinner. If you start the day without a meal don’t be surprised if you feel tired, lethargic and easily fatigued later in the day. It’s almost like driving to work with no gas. The best strategy for keeping your weight in check and your energy level high is to fuel yourself evenly throughout the day. Eat a good breakfast, moderate lunch, and light dinner, (as well as small snacks in between, if you feel hungry). In particular, if you are about to have a hectic day, it becomes even more important to eat a good breakfast. If you starve your body by avoiding breakfast, it will begin to lose muscle (something you do not want) and retaining fat. The interesting thing is that muscle weighs more than fat, which means that dieting (skipping breakfast) may show up as weight loss on the scale. However, most dieters can become weaker although they may become smaller if they rely on dieting exclusively as a means to lose weight.

Breakfast enables you to function better.
Recent research results showed that children who skip breakfast are less able to concentrate in studies and in play. Their ability to perform complex tasks is impaired. The effects were similar in adults. As an experiment, change (improve) your breakfast habits for 2 days. You will then understand the impact that breakfast has on your day.

Cereals and fruits are still the best.
According to the National Cancer Institute of America, “diets high in fibre and low in fat, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals with low fat cheese or butter may reduce the risk of cancer.” Daily fibre intake should be 20 to 30 grams. Insoluble fibre, the kind found in whole wheat bread and wheat-based bran cereals, helps lower the risk of colon cancer and speeds up digestion. Soluble fibre, found in oat bran and fruit, helps lower blood cholesterol, and may reduce the risk of coronary ailments.

Start your day with a piece of fruit, a glass of milk / coffee and some high fiber bread. You can enjoy your breakfast while driving!

So try these simple suggestions and kickstart your day with a healthy breakfast!

A Healthy Kids Breakfast: It Can Be Done!

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:05:38 +0000

Do you struggle trying to get your children fueled with a healthy breakfast? If you’re like me, getting your kids dressed in a matching outfit, getting the homework together, and getting the kids out the door is a struggle, let alone making sure our children get in a nutritious breakfast.
If you’re looking for some fast, easy, and nutritious breakfast ideas, then I have some fantastic ideas for you! Read below for some delicious breakfasts I prepare for my own children. Not only are they fast, easy, and nutritious, but my kids say they taste great too!
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #1: Cereal
Yes, this is a given but how many of us parents give in to sugary cereal to appease our kids? Cut out the sugar and make sure your kid’s cereal includes whole grains and no sugar. My kids, in the beginning, weren’t too pleased about cutting out the sugar until I brought out the fresh blueberries and strawberries to adorn the tops of their cereal!
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #2: Eggs, Toast & Fruit
Another given but one that may take more time than some of us parent’s have in the morning! I like hard boiling some eggs ahead of time and having them ready to go in the refrigerator. But them into little sections, throw some whole grain toast into the toaster, cut up some fruit, and you’ll have a nutritious breakfast that will get your child through the day.
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #3: Yogurt with Granola
My kids LOVE this and it is just too easy to make! Pour some low-fat yogurt into a bowl and sprinkle it was some low-fat, low-sugar granola. Your child will think they’re eating dessert it is so tasty! This is a fabulous option that is so quick and easy.
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #4: Fruit Smoothie
This is a great breakfast if your kids need to take it to go. Simply throw some frozen or fresh fruits (like blueberries, peaches, strawberries, bananas, or any other fruit you enjoy), some juice (like orange juice), and vanilla yogurt into a blender and blend away. Pour your smoothie into a to-go cup and your child will be fueled with some nutritious nutrients!
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #5: French Toast
Dip some whole-grain bread into a little egg, some milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon and cook them in a skillet. Top the french toast with some fresh fruit, some low-fat yogurt, or sugar-free syrup for a great tasting and nutritious breakfast option. Kids really love french toast and will gobble this up!
A Healthy Kids Breakfast Tip #6: Muffins
This is easy! Once a week, I bake my own muffins and stick them in the freezer to give to my kids. On those busy mornings, I just pop one into the microwave and breakfast is done! Add a glass of milk and you have a filling and tasty breakfast. Make sure the muffins are whole wheat, low in sugar, and filled with ingredients that are healthy.

Healthy Indian Breakfast – Importance and Options Available

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:00:52 +0000

“Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper” is a very famous proverb and is very true considering the fact that 25 percent of the day’s calorie should come from breakfast. Glucose is the main source of energy for brain and the continuous supply of glucose is required to improve concentration, mental performance, memory and mood. Research have shown that breakfast helps to replenish blood glucose levels in the brain.

Skipping breakfast often leads to poor concentration, irritability, low blood sugar levels and a high craving for food in midmorning or lunch. This results in overeating and weight gain. In fact it would be easier to control your weight by eating smaller meals and healthy snacks more frequently than skipping any meal.

In India, there are variety of breakfast items available which are nutritious and provide the required amount of energy to sustain throughout the day. Breakfast foods differ from region to region. Let us review some of the common breakfast items.

Breakfast means Break the Fast. There is no better way to kick start your morning than to have a wholesome and nutritious breakfast. With lots of options available now, be creative and make your breakfast as interesting as possible so that you may never skip your breakfast again!

The Top 5 Breakfast Foods for Healthy Weight Loss!

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:33 +0000

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of eating breakfast. People who take time for a morning meal consume fewer calories over the course of the day, have a stronger desire to exercise, and are less likely to be overweight or obese.

People who skip breakfast are more likely to snack on junk food throughout the day, and overindugle on fatty meals for lunch and dinner. If you are thinking about devising a healthy weight loss plan of action, think breakfast!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You have probably heard this many times, and it’s true. Even the name says it all. It is meant to break the fast you give your body from not eating since you put your head down on the pillow the night before. How you eat when you wake up in the morning dictates how your day will go. If you are trying to implement a healthy weight loss program, eating a healthy breakfast makes the difference between success and failure.

Just because breakfast is the most important meal of the day doesn’t grant you permission to go into a feeding frenzy. That’s exactly what Americas most popular breakfast restaurants are setting you up for, so make a conscious effort not to buy into it. They peddle fatty scrambled eggs, sugary muffins and donuts, and pancakes covered with enough syrup and whip cream to launch your blood sugar level up into outer space.

Foods loaded with unhealthy fats, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates are not how you want to start your day, especially when you are trying to have a healthy weight loss. They zap your energy levels so you will feel lathargic, and tell your body to store fat instead of burning it. To help you avoid these morning mishaps, fill your cupboards with the following foods to ensure a successful and healthy weight loss.

Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast Food #1: Soy-Protein ShakeThis is how I lost 70 pounds 15 years ago and have kept it off ever since. Imagine getting 2,000 calories worth of nutrition for about 180 calories without the fat and sugar. It’s the closest thing you can get to diet magic, and it’s the best way to begin every day. What happens when your body gets the right nutrition? It begins to heal itself in ways you never thought possible. Nothing on any restuarant breakfast menu is going to offer good health like that. Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast Food #2: Green TeaMaking sure you are well hydrated is an important part of breakfast, so why not give your body the best liquid possible? Unplug your coffee maker and find a different route to work that doesn’t pass by a Starbucks. One cup of green tea every morning will give you enough energy to last an entire day, and you will not get the jitters like you might from coffee. Want to know the best part about green tea? It helps your body actually speed up your metabolism! Try finding that weight loss benefit in a fatty, over-priced latte.

Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast Food #3: OatmealRemember when you were a kid and your mother made you eat oatmeal instead of your favorite cereal? That’s because it was healthy…and it still is, no matter how you prepare it. OK, so you can’t dump tons of sugar on it and make it taste like Apple Jacks, that’s a given. But you can sweeten it with fresh fruit or cranberries and raisins to enhance the taste. Just because you are older now and can make your own decisions doesn’t mean your mother wasn’t right.

Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast Food #4: Scrambled Eggs With Vegetables & SteakSo you say you want to splurge sometimes and eat a real American breakfast like the kind you get at a truck stop? I hear you loud and clear. There’s nothing wrong with wanting that…if you want to gain weight. How do you do it while sticking to your healthy weight loss plan? Be creative. Make yourself an egg beater omelet with fresh vegetables and lean meat. Just because a truck stop wants to serve you certain food in a greasy way doesn’t mean you can’t eat te same thing in a healthy way.

Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast Food #5: Fresh Fruit With GranolaRemember that recent high-protein low-carbohydrate diet fad that came and went faster than you could say Atkins? No one is on it anymore, and no one is thinner or healther because of it. Don’t ever let anyone convince you that something like a fresh apple is bad for you. Your body needs carbohydrates and there are few healthier sources than fruit and granola. It makes a great substitute for high sugar cereals. If you can sprinkle some protein powder on top of it, it’s an even better way to start your day.

So there you have it…5 of the best breakfasts you can eat for losing weight in a healthy, natural way. It’s not easy to change your taste pallete, but try these suggestions little by little as replacement for the high fat, high sugar choices that made you gain weight. Living a healthy lifestyle is essential for healthy weight loss, and choosing to eat smart for breakfast is the first step in the right direction.

Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:47:10 +0000

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, many of us neglect breakfast. And there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that your body and mind will suffer unless you have a healthy breakfast each morning. You spend six to eight hours sleeping. After that time, your body needs fuel to keep going. Without breakfast at home, your options for on the run nutrition may amount to too much fat, too much sugar and too many carbs. And, that convenient run to the fast food joint is not as convenient and time saving as you think if everyone else has the same idea. The fifteen or twenty minutes spent in line could have been used to fill your belly with something good at home. If you are the type to skip breakfast, here is a solution to starting the day with a good breakfast which will help you keep hunger in check as well as give you the natural energy boost to start your day.1. Oatmeal – This food makes a good hot meal that contains lots of filling fiber to keep you from getting hungry later on in the morning. Depending on your taste, you can take five minutes to fix it on the stove or use the microwave for instant oatmeal. Kids tend to like the variety of flavors that come with instant oatmeal. The night before, put together a container of add-ins like blueberries, strawberries and bananas that can be tossed on top for a bit of antioxidant power.2. Fruit smoothies – These are good any morning but particularly on a hot day. You’ll have to blend the ingredients together in the morning, but the prep work can be done at night. Cube your fruit and place it into a container. Instead of frozen yogurt in the morning, use a cup of plain yogurt. Add ice cubes, a little water and blend.3. Egg sandwich – The eggs can be cooked the night before and placed in a sealed container. In the morning, warm up the eggs in the microwave. If you want, add some chopped veggies or shredded cheese. Serve on toasted wheat bread. The night before, place two pieces of bread into a Ziploc bag for each family member. They can toast their bread as they get up and place the sandwich in the bag for easy transport in the car to work or school.4. Yogurt with granola and fruit – Some people like to eat yogurt. But, yogurt by itself won’t keep you from being hungry. Add some granola and a few blueberries to the mix. This makes a great breakfast idea for those mornings when you are running late. Keep small bags of granola and blueberries in the fridge next to the yogurt so you can grab them and run.Are you fighting the breakfast battle? To get a filling meal you don’t have to opt for too much fat, calories or carbs. These quick and easy breakfast ideas can be made within minutes and are a much healthier alternative to skipping breakfast or grabbing a high fat alternative.