Ever heard the phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? The truth is, every meal is important but breakfast is the meal that sets the tone for your day…And if it’s going to be a long one, a nutritious breakfast can only help. The name breakfast actually means breaking the fast. When you’re asleep, you are fasting for as long as your lights are out; so, if you sleep for 8 hours a night, your body isn’t taking in any of the essential nutrients during that time.
Why You Should Care
Upon waking, our glucose levels are low and most of us feel tired and maybe cranky and wish to go back to bed. What usually ends up happening is that we hit our snooze button on our alarm clocks about 5 times, we then end up rushing out the door in fear of being late for work; uh oh, we skipped breakfast! If you have to be up early to get a workout in before work because you know you won’t get it in after work, your blood sugar often times will be low if you do not eat a nutritious meal. Working out on an empty stomach will lead to an even lower drop in your blood glucose levels and can make you feel groggy. So, what’s the importance of glucose? Glucose is the only molecule that your brain uses for energy, meaning that, the human brain can only function if we have glucose molecules available. We can’t think nor engage effectively without that form of energy and our work performance can even decline. Are you still with me?
Can I Get Away With Coffee?
That coffee you drink first thing in the morning will not last, and don’t bother gulping a second cup. Coffee lacks essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to function every day. Yes, coffee can wake you up but that effect will be temporary; by mid morning and afternoon, you will feel fatigue setting in. Also, coffee won’t fill you up! Don’t be hangry from 9 til noon, get those nutrients in before lunch!
My Recommendations
For the early birds: I recommend a cup of oat meal served with blueberries or raspberries with two full eggs cooked any way you like, lightly seasoned and a piece of wheat or rye toast. Try to stay away from bread whose ingredient includes enriched flour. The best drink you can drink is high quality h2o!
For the snoozers: I recommend making a breakfast smoothie using 8 oz of 2% or skim milk. Add a half cup of oatmeal and a half cup of blueberries or raspberries with half of a banana. Put a cup of Greek yogurt for texture and you’ve got yourself a mighty breakfast that will give you mighty powers!
Thanks for Reading! Now Go Eat Breakfast!
Andy Esho, Fitness Instructor
AFS Rochester Hills
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