We’re all well-aware that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s something that stabilizes your blood sugar, boosts the metabolism and reduces your risk of overeating throughout the day. Experts say that having breakfast is also good for the memory as well as mood.
However, both the quality and quantity of your breakfast have to be considered. If you go for the wrong foods before you start your day, it won’t take long before you find yourself exhausted and devouring just about anything that you can get your hands on. Indeed, just like with any other meal of the day, making the right breakfast choices matter!
Below you will find some of the breakfast blunders that many of us are guilty of. Identify which of them you commit on a regular basis and do your best to scrap them from your mornings.
Guzzling Down Orange Juice
Well, it depends on the orange juice. Most supermarket varieties pack a lot of sugar and other chemicals. Make sure that the carton of OJ you are about to place in your shopping cart is 100 percent pure. A much better idea is to eat the fruit itself in the AM, allowing you to enjoy nothing but the vitamins, minerals and fiber it offers.
Adding Plenty of Coffee Add-Ons
Unless you are sensitive to caffeine, go ahead and enjoy a cup of your favorite java to jumpstart your day. However, the presence of whipped cream, syrups and other add-ons can make every serving of coffee swarming with calories. Try your best to keep a cup as close to plain as possible.
Munching on Breakfast Bars
Just because they are called “breakfast bars” doesn’t mean that they’re perfect for breakfasts. It’s true that granola bars are some of the most convenient morning treats for busy individuals, but they’re not really your best options. Most of them are actually oatmeal cookies dressed in tons of sugar and other fancy stuff.
Piling Up the Pastries
They may look gorgeous on the breakfast setting, but pastries are some of the worst foods you can eat prior to heading out to hit the workplace or gym. That’s because those bagels, cinnamon rolls and the rest are all packed with sugar — they cause the blood sugar to spike, which is followed by a crash characterized by exhaustion and hunger.
Having Your Fill of Flavored Yogurt
Yogurt is the perfect snack because it is an excellent source of protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and most especially good bacteria important for your gut. However, the flavored kind is teeming with sugar and calories. It is a wonderful idea to opt for plain yogurt, and top it with slices of bananas, kiwis or any other fruit of your liking.
Feasting on Flavored Oatmeal
Oatmeal can get boring at times, and this is why flavored oatmeal varieties came into being. While some of them actually contain spices and freeze-dried fruits, these breakfast staples of today are also laden with sugar. Steer clear of these products and go for plain oatmeal jazzed up with blueberries, nuts and other healthy add-ons.
Whipping Up Waffles
Serving waffles on the morning table can easily ruin your blood sugar and ultimately your weight. This is especially true if you cannot steer clear of drizzling sugary syrups on them. Whole-grain toasts or cereals are definitely much better options. Don’t forget to throw in some protein sources like egg whites or lean meat!
Saying No-No to a Glass of H2O
After spending several hours in dreamland, you certainly need to have your body rehydrated. It’s exactly for this reason why chugging a glass of water should be an indispensable part of your morning ritual. It will also fill up your tummy, saving you from eating more breakfast food than necessary.
