Breakfast

So how do I begin?

Now, let’s assume we are doing this from scratch. Go back to our first rule: start small and gradually.

When I first made the decision to eat healthier, I didn’t jump from fruity rings to bran flakes. My body was used to consuming massive amounts of sugar and empty calories. Had I made that type of switch overnight, I would have failed for sure.

Instead, I gradually started weaning out the bad. I switched from sweetened cereal to a sweetened oatmeal. Over time, I was able to find brands with less and less sugar until the original stuff became too sweet to even eat. To start, aim for under 10 grams of sugar for your breakfast cereal or oatmeal.

Your diet should be balanced. You should consume so much of certain things every day – so many fruits, so many veggies, etc. If you can “multi-task” your meals, you will make tackling this goal a lot easier.

By the time I got to where I could eat bran flakes, I gradually started adding a few blueberries. Then a few more and a few more. I added a few sliced almonds and then more and more. Now, I crave that cereal every morning, and I’m full until my post-workout snack comes around.

If oatmeal is the breakfast for you, your possibilities are endless as to what toppings and mix-ins you can have, and you can always change them up. It’s sort of like being at an ice cream shop.

If eggs are your choice, throw in some veggies or salsa. Personally, I have trouble eating dinner type foods for breakfast. If I choose eggs, I make sure to have some high fiber whole wheat toast and fresh fruit with them.

The Great Breakfast Debates

For those who were offended by my coffee comment earlier, hear me out. Coffee can be very good for you. Doctors are learning more and more about the benefits, and people with certain conditions can actually find relief from the caffeine (shout out to you Leakers). The big issue lies with how you make your coffee. If you’re loading it up with spoonfuls of sugar, syrup, whip cream, or globs of butter, odds are you’re hurting your body more than you’re helping it. Taper down on all the excess and try to keep things simple.

As for other breakfast beverages, this is the only time of the day I find appropriate for drinking something other than water. Hopefully, you’re getting your water in every morning, but having a glass of milk or pure fruit juice won’t kill you. Pay attention to the sugar though and water it down if necessary.

I know the dairy debate has gotten as strong as the egg debate, but they’re both winners in my book. I go back to my main belief that if God provided it for us, it is meant to be consumed. (After all, the promised land is flowing with milk and honey!) Point is, you will see me talk freely about consuming dairy because I see more pros in it than cons. Again though, every body is built differently. Learn what works for you.

As far as when you should eat breakfast, experts agree the earlier the better. For a quick faux course in English, breakfast comes from the words “break–fast”. You are breaking your fast from your sleep. You don’t go eight hours in the day without eating. Why would you wait to eat after eight hours of sleep? (By the way, if you do wait or skip, you will be more likely to overeat. Have fun with that.)

Breakfast is a perfect way to make sure you get a head start on your day. Try to make it even more pleasant and enjoyable by eating it with loved ones. Open the blinds, turn off the technology, and put on some coffeehouse acoustics. Thank God for a new day!