Hey! How was your weekend? Mine was relaxed and layed-back like usual. But it was a good one since the weather was perfect, I am still over-joyed that I got my license, and it simply left me feeling good about myself just like last weekend! Saturday was work at the library, grocery shopping, and yoga. Sunday was Pilates leg work, calves, and quick upper-body work, weeding in the front of the house (haha, fun...), more yoga-selfies (this is my new guilty pleasure. It always leaves me feeling really good!), blog work for this week, and a nice relaxing night.
So now on to today's Power Monday. I wanted to talk about the importance of breakfast! Might I add, I am pretty sure it is the best meal of the day as well. But that may just be because I love mornings! Now I never get very fancy with breakfast, but I always eat it. I would never imagine skipping it; I just wouldn't be able to function otherwise.
If you want to Power you day, you need to start it with some much needed good quality fuel. Most people are going 10 to 12 hours since their last meal the day before. During most of this time our bodies are sleeping, but they are still working. They are repairing, growing, and maintaining. All of that requires fuel. So if you wake-up and don't replenish your energy reserves, you will not be able to function at an optimal level. If you skip breakfast just to get a few more minutes of sleep, those few minutes of sleep will be a waste because you will still be lacking much needed energy. And if you are skipping breakfast to lose weight, well, that's one of the worst things you could do for the cause. Your metabolism will be slow and sluggish all morning until you finally eat. Which by then you will probably eat a much larger lunch then you would have if you had actually eaten breakfast. Thus, the reverse effect of what you wanted. It is proven that people who eat breakfast are able to maintain a much healthier weight than those who don't. A 2003 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that people who skip breakfast are 4.5 times more likely to be obese than those who take a morning meal.
So now what are some easy and delicious options for breakfast? O, the possibilities are endless! Here are some of my favorites:
Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise + Erewhon Salt-Free Crispy Brown Rice + Cinnamon + Hemp Seeds + Almond Milk
Nature's Path Maple Sunrise (or Vanilla Sunrise) + Rice Chex + Hemp Seeds + Almond Milk
A Smoothie (Fruit + Plant Fusion + Peanut Flour + Almond Milk + Spinach + Ice)
These are just my go to eats. I always like at have something a little sweet but not to sweet and has to be a good mix of carbs, protein, and fats. Other options (for non-vegans) are eggs (like omelets and scrambles) or for vegans a soy-free scramble or omelet, healthy pancakes or waffles, overnight oats or oatmeal or granola, try making your own cereal, even something small like a homemade granola bar, or a piece of fruit and nut butter. I know some people find that they are just not hungry in the morning, that is why a smaller option can be good. Just plan a healthy mid-morning snack as well. I like to have fruit and almonds for my mid-morning snack. They keep me satisfied till lunch and I don't worry about any unhealthy snacking this way. (For more awesome breakfast eats first my Pinterest boards!)
So tell me:
Do you commit the deadly sin of skipping breakfast? If so why?
What are your favorite or go-to breakfast options?
P.S. Make sure you enter my Plant Fusion Giveaway! Today is the last day, you don't want to miss out!
Beth
Can you eat any specific brand or type of oatmeal?
strengthandsunshine
I have been slowing introducing oats back into my diet. I only have them once a week and right now I am just sticking to Ola Granola and just a 1/3 cup serving. But GF Harvest makes wonderful gluten-free oats which I hope to try again soon.
Health, Love, and Chocolate
I love this, I am constantly ranting to people about the importance of breakfast. 🙂 Right now I am loving smoothies and yogurt bowls!
strengthandsunshine
I am still baffled by people who skip, it's crazy! Smoothies are awesome and so quick!
Maggie @ Sunnyside Up Smile
I love this post Rebecca! And it's great to find a blogger that's essentially the same age as me 😉 I'm so excited to keep reading your blog. You are so right- breakfast is extremely important to kick start your metabolism and fuel your day! I never skip it and it's my favorite meal too! I usually have overnight oats, oatmeal or healthy pancakes. Yum!
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Maggie! I just checked out your blog, I love you photos! Great photography skills! I can't wait to keep reading.
kate marrin
I always eat breakfast! I wake up ravenous!! Sometimes it's just a half coffee, half almond milk plus a quest bar, but it's always something.
strengthandsunshine
Exactly! There is no way I could ever wait until lunch time to eat. I need my fuel!
olivetorun
I never skip breakfast... I use to when I was growing up (high school age mostly) because I didn't think too much about it but now I never go a morning without it. My go to is an omelet with pico de gallo 🙂 LOVE the combo!
strengthandsunshine
That's great! I have never skipped breakfast. I am just always hungry right when I wake-up. I never think of having savory options, I guess since I am mostly vegan. But I think I really should try to make a soy-free chickpea omelet (with some pico de gallo) some time soon! Haha!
olivetorun
Pico de Gallo is a must add 😉