Whether you’re having a family breakfast, grabbing something on your way out the door, or breaking a 16-hour fast, we can all agree that our first meal of the day is the most important. It helps to set your body for the day ahead. No matter what time you have it, there’s a never-ending list of health benefits of starting your day with a nourishing plate of food.
Studies are now showing that while ruling carbohydrates out of our diet may not be of benefit for everyone, having a breakfast that is largely made up of proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrient-rich complex carbohydrates, can aid in both brain function and weight loss. Tucking into a delicious, balanced breakfast is also vital in balancing blood sugar levels for both managing and preventing diabetes, and done right, it can also be a good source of dietary fiber.
There are endless reasons to sink your teeth into a nourishing breakfast, and there are thousands of recipes that can inspire your morning meal; no matter if it’s a weekend breakfast with your family or a on-the-go breakfast as you drop the kids to school.
Get creative in the kitchen and try out 4 of our favourites for all nutritional needs:
1. Fruit First
I’m not sure if you’ve heard of this before, but if you are going to eat fruit within a meal, it must come first. There’s a science behind it. As fruits, especially melons, have high water and high natural sugar content, they are broken down at a faster rate in the digestive tract. By eating our fruits separately to our more dense foods, it eases any uncomfortable digestion and awakens our body with an injection of vitamins and minerals. So go on, create a healthy, glowing, bowl of rainbows...just eat it before you eat anything else!
2. Green Juice for Breakfast
It sounds crazy when the first thing you might reach for is normally cereal and milk, but having a green drink first thing is a great way to sneak some more vegetables into your diet, providing your body with a kick of vital nutrients to help get you going. Veggies are a great source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, as well as giving your digestive system a healthy dose of dietary fiber. Be sure to check out the best green drinks. If breakfast is something you normally inhale on the way to work, take your green juice with you!
3. Pass The Protein
If you’re eating a diet that’s largely plant-based, it’s important (as you’ve probably been told) to ensure you’re protein-combining to fuel your body with all the essential amino acids it craves. Breakfast can be another opportunity in the day to get this essential macronutrient, and as the protein breaks down slower than simple carbohydrates, the foods you eat at 7 am will continue to nourish your body throughout the day. Shakshuka is a soul-warming breakfast that combines baked eggs with mouth-watering flavours for a hearty breakfast. I also love to make a Maldivian tuna recipe, Mas huni for my breakfast.
If you’re ever after an extra protein hit, you can always take a protein powder.
4. Fight The Fear Of Fats
By now we all know that there are two kinds of fats; those that are good for us, and those that aren’t. For a long time, fats as a food group have been unfairly targeted. Healthy fats are vital components of our diet for brain function, long-lasting energy levels, and radiant hair, skin, and nails. We only need a small portion of these healthy fats to meet our daily requirements, so they’re easy to throw in any meal to balance it out. Protein bites with nuts and seeds is one way to nourish your gut with good fats, and if all else fails, opt for avocado, served with egg, quinoa or sautéed greens for a delicious healthy fat fix.
So let’s start our day as we mean to go on, and nourish our bodies, minds, and souls with a beautiful breakfast!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Today say to yourself over and over “I am choosing the best foods for my body” and know you’re worth it!
Yours in health and happiness,
Beth Cook
