Good news for fans of morning food: September is All-American Breakfast Month. You have 30 days to share your love of the first meal of every day. If cereal, waffles, and other breakfast foods don’t get you excited, don’t worry, this month is for you as well. Learn why breakfast is so important and figure out how to make it a part of your daily routine.
Believe it or not, there are several health reasons behind breakfast:
- Eating breakfast can help you avoid fluctuating glucose levels, which means lowered risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Breakfast food is morning fuel and can help you get moving harder and faster than if you avoid eating it altogether.
- Not only can breakfast give you a physical jump-start, but it may help to get the brain going, thanks to the glucose.
- One of the biggest misunderstandings of breakfast is its effect on weight loss. Many believe that by skipping breakfast they can avoid unwanted calories and lose weight, but that has been proven to be false again and again. Balanced eating, including breakfast, is more effective.
- Here’s a big one: Those who reportedly skip breakfast have a higher risk of a heart attack or fatal coronary heart disease.
Knowing why you should eat breakfast is great, but if you’re one of the many Americans who aren’t in the habit of eating a meal at the beginning of each day, it can be difficult to change. So, what can you do to start eating after waking up?
- Get out of bed ten minutes earlier. If time is your greatest hurdle, try making a bit more of it. Rising earlier to eat can make a dramatic change in the tone of your entire day.
- “I’m just not hungry.” If you’ve said this, your body may be used to its feeding schedule. Try eating smaller meals before bed for a few days and see if your body craves food when you wake up. This will help you get on a healthier schedule.
- Food on the go can be healthy. Instead of stopping for fast food, try planning ahead and prepare some healthier options that you can grab on your way out the door. Some examples include smoothies prepped the night before, fruits, nuts, or even oatmeal (which you have many reasons to enjoy).
Need some help getting started? Here’s a healthy breakfast recipe you can make quickly: Yogurt Breakfast Salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium vine-ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 green onion
- 3 tsp. sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt
- Pepper to taste
Directions: Slice vegetables and place in large bowl. Toss in sunflower seeds. In a separate bowl, mix together vinegar and yogurt. Pour over salad. Add pepper to taste. Enjoy!
All-American Breakfast Month is a great time to learn about and share the importance of the first meal of the day. Try sharing and making new recipes with friends. Of course, if you have any food allergies, be sure to read ingredients carefully, and if necessary, talk to your doctor to ensure you’re healthy enough to expand your dietary options. Have fun learning and eating!
Resources:
https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/aarpoptum/nutritious-breakfast-ideas-to-fuel-your-morning