Breakfast....WHY?

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of our day.

Eating breakfast helps set the stage for our metabolism and our blood sugar levels for the day.
Without it, our metabolism wanes and our blood sugar levels drop, leaving us feeling far less than optimal... not to mention cranky. Some form of breakfast is better than nothing....and that morning cup of coffee only exacerbates the blood sugar roller coaster your body is on from not eating. Caffeine has a direct impact on blood sugar as it spikes insulin levels and sets your blood sugar into imbalance. Not that you have to stop drinking that delicious cup of Joe.... however, adding a bit of breakfast that includes protein will help your body take that roller coaster ride a bit more smoothly.

I found this adjustment to breakfast years ago when I discovered that I had hypoglycemia. Turns out my favorite strong Italian roast coffee and luscious sugar laden muffin or Scone were not the best options for my body...oh and pancakes?..forget it. Once I started incorporating a breakfast with some form of protein (and quite honestly fewer cups of coffee)...my energy levels rose dramatically and I lost my morning anxiety or irritation. Thank God for Breakfast!

Since changing my eating habits I have come up with a few simple breakfast ideas that work well when I am in a a hurry in the morning.

Try these when you are running out the door:

• Fruit Smoothie Toss in your favorite fruit. I love to add Raspberries or Strawberries! You can easily buy frozen fruit so it is readily available for you. Add a large scoop of protein powder. Whey, Soy (non-isolated), and Hemp are great options. Look for the protein powder to contain at least 12 grams of protein and NO sugar. You may have to search but you will find a zero sugar protein powder. It is well worth it. You will already be getting enough natural sugar from the fruit. ** To add an additional kick of nutrients include: a tablespoon of ground flax seeds and a handful of RAW almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds. These will incorporate a dose of healthy fats into your drink which will help you keep you full and provide your body with the benefits of those OMEGA 3's.

• EGGS! You can hard boil a few eggs on a Sunday and they will be ready to grab on your way out the door the rest of the week. They are packed with protein!

• Whole Grain Toast with Nut butter. Toasting a piece or two of bread is pretty quick and I gurantee that extra minute to add some nut butter will not slow you down. This option will give you a balanced option of protein to Carbs. It is not as satisfying on it's own....Combine it with a smoothie and you are set. Without the smoothie, it will keep you going until you reach for that mid-morning snack of possibly yogurt and nuts.

• Yogurt. This is a great way to get some protein and healthy Acidophilus into your body. Be sure to pick up plain yogurt as it contains the least amount of sugar. The 0% to lowfat versions of plain greek style yogurt are amazing! You can add some fresh fruit and nuts on top to get additional antioxidants and healthy fats. If you are picking up a yogurt parfait from a cafe or coffee shop you may want to remove the granola. Most of the time the Granola is loaded with unhealthy fat and sugar. So, if you have to grab one of these pre-made parfaits in a hurry?.....simply eat around the granola.

• JUST PLAIN Protein powder. This is something I do when I truly have zero time to stop and eat breakfast, or a snack. It is not appetizing but my body loves the effect. I just add a scoop of protein to a small glass of water and down it. This gets my blood sugar in check until I can eat a balanced snack or meal that actually tastes fantastic! It works wonders! This one is not about taste, it is about balancing my body.

Try some of these tips and come up with some of your own.
Post your ideas here!