Sunday, June 21, 2009

Breakfast Anyone?

Not hungry in the morning? No time to eat before getting the children to school and dashing off to work?

You're not alone.

In a study of consumer attitudes towards food and nutrition, 92% of respondents said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But less than half of them actually ate breakfast each morning!

Is breakfast really that important? Was your mother right when she insisted that you eat something before you left for school?

Absolutely. Breakfast is definitely good for you. For lots of reasons.

It gives you the energy boost you need to get through the day

It helps improve your concentration and performance

You'll have more strength and endurance

It can help improve your cholesterol levels

Your overall diet will be higher in important nutrients

And here's more good news:

Breakfast eaters – those who eat a healthy breakfast that is, tend to weigh less than breakfast skippers.

What's a healthy breakfast? One that includes whole grains, low-fat dairy, good quality protein and fruits or vegetables. Like…

Cereal, low-fat milk and fruit

Leftover pizza or pasta

Israeli-style vegetable salad

Whole-wheat toast with cheese

Yogurt and fruit

Half a whole-grain bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon

A hard-boiled egg and a banana

Breakfast bar and yogurt

Oatmeal and raisins

An omelet filled with last night's leftover vegetables

In our house, breakfast is home-made granola (minimally sweetened and full of nuts, seeds and dried fruit), fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt and Japanese green tea. For Shabbat Kiddush it's whole-grain muffins, fruit salad and green tea.

Next … Cereal for Breakfast

No comments:

Post a Comment