What constitutes a good breakfast?

Depriving ourselves from breakfast actually deprives us from many of the vital nutrients and energy we need to get through the day.

If you skip breakfast to lose weight, think again! You will actually burn less calories over the day, and you miss an important meal designed to stoke the metabolic fire.


Think of your body as a car, it needs good quality fuel to function well, breakfast should be high in fibre ( aids weight loss ), and contain a combination of complex carbohydrates and protein with a small helping of good fat to help you through the day.

SKIPPING BREAKFAST COULD LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN

Eating a huge breakfast in the morning just may help you lose more weight and keep it off. Researchers from The Endocrine Society presented their findings at a recent conference after 95 women took part in an eight month long study. Half of the women ate a 290 calorie breakfast which was low in carbohydrate, while the rest consumed a high carbohydrate high protein breakfast providing 610 calories. Both groups consumed the same amount of calories over the day but the big breakfast group lost 15% more weight than the control group. Researchers noted that the big breakfast group reported fewer cravings and were able to manage their appetite over the day much better than the control group. Based on these findings having a large breakfast may be a key weight management strategy for us all.

SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOLESTEROL

Eating rolled oats for breakfast gets the thumbs up from nutritionists all over the world. Oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates and are high in soluble fibre. Research suggests that oats help to lower cholesterol levels, stabilise blood sugar levels and help with digestion. Oats don’t need to be boring, experiment with toppings such as stewed fruit, berries or spiced apple. Soak oats overnight in natural yoghurt with raisins and ground flax seeds. Instant varieties are available so oats can be a quick breakfast on the run.