Breakfast: The Best Way to Start the Day

"I don't have time."

"I don't like cereal."

"I'm allergic to eggs."

"I'm not hungry when I wake up."

There are plenty of reasons that people skip breakfast. But there are even more reasons why they shouldn't.

Aside from increasing mental and physical performance, a breakfast of champions can help you to achieve and maintain optimal weight and energy levels. Furthermore, what you put in your mouth (or don't) in the morning can also be indicative of your future health! Here's how the first meal of the day can affect your lifelong health:

1. Weight Control -- Some people think that skipping meals, starting with breakfast, is a great way to lose weight. That's simply not the case. Breakfast-skipping actually has the opposite effect. Holding off until noon for that first meal usually results in uber-hunger. This can lead to an out-of-control appetite when you do eat because you're so famished. That can result in both eating too fast and consuming too many calories. It also contributes to distorted hunger signals (e.g., you can't tell when you're full). Believe it or not, smaller, more frequent meals can make weight control much more likely. And researchers now believe that eating breakfast may reduce hunger later in the day too. It may also be responsible for the tendency to choose less dense (lower-calorie) foods at later meals.

2. Brain power -- A veggie omelette + whole grain toast = recipe for a productive morning? Yes, researchers believe that increased clarity and concentration are due in part to replenishing glucose, the brain's main energy source. Sure, glucose is sugar, but it's not quite that simple. It has something to do with a concept called the "glycemic index," or GI. According to Dr. E. Leigh Gibson of Roehampton University in London, most studies suggest that quite a small amount, about 25 grams of carbohydrate (equivalent to a slice of whole grain toast with a tablespoon of sugar-free jam) can improve performance, especially of memory. However, much more carbohydrate, especially if they're high-GI foods, (a cup of sugary cereal or a goopy cinnamon roll) may actually impair memory. Her explanation for this is that "a high carb dose provokes a big increase in cortisol, which is a stress hormone. If one is doing a challenging task, an increase in cortisol is known to impair memory." So the quality of your carbs is just as important as the quantity. Complex carbs such as whole grain breads or cereals play a key role in a healthy and balanced breakfast.

Glycemic index (GI) tells you how rapidly a carbohydrate turns into glucose. This value doesn't tell you, however, how much of that carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food. The glycemic index has been studied to see if it can help control blood sugar for people with diabetes. Though many products have begun to tout their GI on food labels, there is some controversy about how these values are measured and interpreted.

GI Range
Low GI = 55 or less
Medium GI = 56 - 69
High GI = 70 or more

What's more important is the Glycemic load (GL) -- this tool uses the glycemic index and takes the amount of available carbohydrates into account. Available carbohydrates are those that provide energy, i.e. starch and sugar, but not fiber. The glycemic load measures the effect of the glycemic index of a food times its available carbohydrate content in grams in a standard serving. More information about these tools can be found at www.glycemicindex.com.

GL Range
Low GL = 10 or less
Medium GL = 11- 19
High GL = 20 or more

Breakfast:

Cornflakes
Serving Size: 1/2 c
Glycemic Index: 119
Glycemic load: 13

Banana
Serving Size: 1 medium
Glycemic Index: 77
Glycemic Load: 19

Doughnut, cake
Serving Size: 4 in
Glycemic Index: 76
Glycemic Load: 26

Plain bagel:
Serving Size: 3 oz; 1 med
Glycemic Index: 72
Glycemic Load: 36

Sugar
Serving Size: 1 Tbsp
Glycemic Index: 68
Glycemic Load: 9

Pineapple, diced
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Glycemic Index: 66
Glycemic Load: 6

Raisins
Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
Glycemic Index: 64
Glycemic Load: 10

Honey
Serving Size: 1 Tbsp
Glycemic Index: 55
Glycemic Load: 9

Apple with peel
Serving Size: 1 medium
Glycemic Index: 54
Glycemic Load: 9

Orange
Serving Size: 1 medium
Glycemic Index: 42
Glycemic Load: 6

Orange Juice
Serving Size: 4 oz.
Glycemic Index: 53
Glycemic Load: 6

Fat-free Milk
Serving Size: 1 cup
Glycemic Index: 32
Glycemic Load: 4

3. Blood sugar control -- Regular meal timing, starting with breakfast, is important for even blood sugar and to balance the peaks and valleys of our blood sugar throughout the day. Not only does even blood sugar help prevent diabetes, it provides more energy and better long-term health (including decreased risk of heart disease).

While blood sugar levels are highly regulated, with only minor fluctuations, our food choices (and timing) definitely have an impact on this balance. Sugary drinks or high-GI meals can cause more of a spike in blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Gibson,

"If you fast all day, your blood sugar would only show a slight decrease over the course of the day. This is because of action of counter-regulatory hormones such as glucagon, cortisol and adrenaline, which can influence blood glucose production, storage and uptake. So one way to think of hunger is as a neuro-hormonal signal to the brain that the body is having to work at maintaining blood glucose. At the same time, outside of the brain, most tissues start to receive an increased supply of free fatty acids, as stored fat is broken down, which, unlike the brain, they can use for energy."

This is an elegant and complex system whose mysteries are still being unraveled. What we do know for sure is that blood sugar control is a very good thing.

4. Energy -- Who doesn't want to have more energy? Whether you love working out, have an active lifestyle, or both, skipping breakfast can undermine your best efforts. Our bodies need fuel to power us through busy days and intense workouts. It all starts with breakfast. It's no surprise that studies show that breakfast eaters have more endurance and strength than breakfast skippers.

What's in it?

A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods including complex carbs, lean proteins and good fats such as olive oil or a sprinkle of almonds on your yogurt, or a few slices of avocado on your breakfast burrito. Choose one item from at least three of the following four food groups:

1. Dairy: Non- or low-fat cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese or ricotta
2. Fruits and vegetables: Fresh whole fruits and vegetables (Yes, veggies at breakfast -- think omelettes or breakfast wraps!)
3. Grains: Whole-grain rolls, bagels, bread, tortillas, cereals or muffins
4. Protein: Eggs, lean turkey or chicken, smoked salmon
5. Fat: Olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado

No time? No excuse.

Here are some easy portable ideas:

• Bran muffin and vanilla yogurt
• Whole grain pita sandwich with one to two slices of lowfat cheese and an apple
• Breakfast wrap (whole grain tortilla with scrambled egg, sprinkle of cheese and salsa)
• Trail mix and 8 ounces of milk
• Yogurt and granola
• Multigrain bagel with a dab of cream cheese and a couple slices of smoked salmon
• Smoothie made with high protein Greek-style yogurt
• Peanut butter and jam sandwich on whole grain bread

Extra tips:

• Most packaged breakfast cereals are highly processed and loaded with added sugar. Choose packaged cereals with less than five grams of sugar and at least five grams of fiber per serving.
• When choosing bread, check out the label first. If the label says "enriched" it probably contains white flour, meaning it's low in fiber and nutrition. Choose breads with at least three grams of fiber per serving. The first ingredient listed should be "whole" wheat or "whole grain.

Warm Breakfast Grains with Dried Cherries and Toasted Pecans

Yield: 3 cups; 6 (1/2-cup) servings

In this unusual whole grain dish, coarse ground bulgur takes a sweet turn. A warm and satisfying breakfast dish, it makes a delicious snack or dessert. This dish is loaded with fiber. Leftovers can be reheated.

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup coarse ground bulgur
1 1/2 teaspoons peeled, finely minced fresh ginger
2 1/4 cups 1 percent lowfat milk plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons agave nectar or dark honey
3-inch cinnamon stick
1 cup chopped dried cherries
1/3 cup slivered almonds or other nuts, toasted (see Note below)

Heat oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add bulgur and ginger to pan and toast lightly, stirring occasionally, for about three minutes.

Carefully add milk and agave nectar and stir well. Add cinnamon stick and heat mixture over medium-high heat, but do not boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, but grains are still loose and creamy, about 13 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cherries and nuts.

Serve warm, passing additional hot milk and cherries if desired.

Note: To toast nuts in the oven, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for five to eight minutes, or until fragrant. Stir nuts a few times during baking to ensure even browning. To toast on the stovetop, place nuts in small sauté pan over medium heat. Toast nuts, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned, about two minutes. Set aside to cool.

Banana Fudge Smoothie

Creamy and delicious, this smoothie is great for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up.

Yield: 3 cups; 3 servings

1 1/2 cups very cold 1% lowfat milk
1/2 cup plain non fat Greek-style yogurt
2 ripe medium bananas, frozen and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1 teaspoon agave nectar or dark honey

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

For more by Cheryl Forberg, RD, on The Huffington Post, click here.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

For more by Cheryl Forberg, RD, click here.

Cheryl Forberg, RD is a James Beard award-winning chef, former nutritionist for NBC's "The Biggest Loser" and NYT bestselling author. Her latest book is Flavor First (Rodale). She lives on a farm in Napa, California. For plenty of scrumptious whole grain (and other) recipes, check out her website or follow her on Twitter or Facebook

Flickr photo by George M. Groutas

 

 

 

Follow Cheryl Forberg, RD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CherylForbergRD

Comments

[maribelles]

03:30 PM on 01/29/2012

I disagree with this advice. All suggestions are loaded with carbs, which metabolize into too much sugar, and the tone is still the old "low fat" refrain. Most of the breakfast products suggested are loaded with trans-fats and sugar. The medical industry "science" that registered dietician (RD) is trained within is corporate sponsored, and has been for decades. These corporations exist to push cheap processed sugars and fats into all products to raise their profits. Even cereals with the recommended amounts of sugar are going to be highly processed and made with trans-fats. Bran muffins, trail mix and granola are likely to be loaded with sugar. Read "Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food" for more updated information that isn't toting a party line.

[eFitnessbuzz]

08:15 PM on 01/26/2012

Couldn't agree more! And appreciate the recipe tips. The Warm Breakfast Grains sound perfect for a cold, Chicago morning. I also thought the info on the Glycemic index is very interesting to keep in mind. I went through a similar breakfast experiment to try something new. I should have read your article first as this info would have come in handy -

http://www.efitnessbuzz.com/2012/01/what-happened-to-my-appetite/

[CColpetzer]

12:07 PM on 01/22/2012

Great article! Breakfast is very important and this article tells you why and shows how you can make breakfast even healthier with plenty of nutritional information and some delicious breakfast recipes.

[William Anderson LMHC]

11:37 AM on 01/22/2012

Cheryl, I was an obese diet failure for 25 years until I discovered Therapeutic Psychogenics, lost 140 pounds, and started training others. I've maintained my ideal weight for over 25 years with this method.

Here's some interesting info not many people know: I and many clients were overweight with a lifestyle that skipped breakfast (we weren't hungry from late night eating), ate little during the day, and then ate all night long. However, when we added breakfast (at the insistence of diet helpers) we were famished by 10, ate more during the day, still ate all night, and gained weight! We were more convinced that we shouldn't eat breakfast.

With my method, people who never eat breakfast are left to make their own eating plan and are very successful losing weight without having breakfast. However, after a while, they all seem to switch to having breakfast. This happened with me and it happens with almost all of my clients, all quite naturally, without really intending to. Then, when we were interviewed by NWCR, we answered that we ate breakfast. However, how that came about is never discussed. People who model NWCR behavior (a strategy I pioneered in pre-NWCR 1984) are not aware of this.

Your food science observations about breakfast are helpful, but for my NWCR successes, eating breakfast is a result of weight loss success, not the initial cause.

Best wishes.

William Anderson, LMHC
Author of 'The Anderson Method - Secrets of Permanent Weight Loss'
www.TheAndersonMethod.com

[Phoebe917]

08:35 PM on 01/21/2012

i am always ravenous in the morning, sometimes even in the middle of the night. however, i am a "grazer". i never eat a lot at one time, but i probably eat a small portion of whatever 5-6 times a day. my husband is diabetic, so we follow a low glycemic index diet. if i wake up hungry in the middle of the night i munch on cold fruit and a glass of low sodium V8. i think "grazing" is the way to go. you keep your metabolism going strong all day and all night. just my opinion of course.

[Judster]

07:58 PM on 01/21/2012

For breakfast: Monday thru Friday, I alternate between a veggie omelette with low calorie cheese spread on homemade whole wheat bread and coffee, or oatmeal sprinkled with flaxseed. On the weekend, breakfast is a protein fruit shake and a handful of nuts or a fruit. I don't drink fruit juices, and have water all day, including a glass first thing in the morning.

I have to eat within a couple hours of waking up, otherwise I develop a horrible headache so skipping breakfast is not an option, thankfully.

[ckinsobe]

09:51 AM on 01/21/2012

People have different needs, what works for one may not work for another. I personally function best with a small breakfast, and always have the same thing: 2 slices of wholegrain bread with either cheese, fruit spread or a slice of ham and a cup of coffee with almond milk.

At times I have tried the Fir for Life method of only eating fruits for the first hours and that works fine as well but I always go back to the first option.

[local21]

09:16 AM on 01/21/2012

I have fresh orange juice and a bowl of oatmeal or cereal with blueberries every morning and a greek yogurt a couple of hours later.

[babybelle]

08:44 AM on 01/21/2012

I always enjoy breakfast. Could be because I don't snack.
Dinner is my last meal of the day and it's usually 13 to 14 hours before I eat again.
So breakfast for me really is breaking my fast!

[Fromageball]

02:45 PM on 01/20/2012

I used to be a person who couldn't eat in the morning - felt nauseous, but it's easy to change that habit. Just eat something in the morning. Whatever sounds good. I made myself at least have a piece of fruit or something. Then gradually I started having more of an appetite in the morning and now I wake up looking forward to breakfast.

[evecaren]

02:32 PM on 01/20/2012

Breakfast is really an important meal. As the name implies, it breaks the fast., i.e. the time
between dinner the previous night and eating your first meal in the morning. Let's say you have
dinner at 7:00 and nothing else until the next morning. By 7:00 the next morning, you've gone
12 hours without food. Even if you don't feel hungry initially, it's important to have something to
eat for breakfast, preferably some protein and carbohydrates. Your body needs it for energy
and to think properly. It's really like fuel for your body. So don't skip breakfast. It's a long time till lunch.

[Beatriz Sandoval]

01:04 PM on 01/20/2012

It's very important to have a nutritious breakfast specially when you have a long day ahead of you at work. Breakfast is the main meal, it balances your eating habits throughout the day.When you're on a healthy diet breakfast keeps your body from starving. I actually made a list of my own because I think the morning meal is very important.

http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/betty_sand/what-do-you-eat-in-the-am-

[Kimberly Krause]

12:21 PM on 01/20/2012

Why force yourself to eat if you are not hungry? Breakfast is over-rated.

[John Rathe]

02:38 PM on 01/20/2012

Did you read the article?

[Eet Metabolicmemory]

10:53 AM on 01/20/2012

The conventional wisdom of eating a balanced breakfast is harming people's health, causing weight GAIN and is not metabolically sound. We work with hundreds of people and specialize in working with diabetics. EET produces consistent improved weight loss and health results using timing concepts nearly the complete OPPOSITE of almost every point made in this post. Don't starve yourself at wake up, but the food choices you make are critical. A "Bran Muffin" for breakfast is a nearly guaranteed recipe for weight gain, as are most fruits, and a bagel might be the worst food at that time of day of all -- not to mention the high fat "schmear" you'll put on it!!

Here's a study that you didn't mention that tells you all you need to know about the value of eating a "healthy breakfast". "Training in the fasted state improves glucose tolerance during fat-rich diet" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837645. In this study, those who delayed their breakfast had less weight gain (almost NONE vs 3 lbs for those who ate breakfast) had better fat loss and less insulin resistance, even with a high fat high calorie diet. Interestingly, we've found you don't even need to exercise at wake up to achieve these benefits!

Just look around to see where advice like balanced breakfast is getting us -- fatter and fatter and less healthy, and we have the results to prove that timing your morning eating produces far more favorable results -- ESPECIALLY FOR DIABETICS!.

[Fromageball]

02:50 PM on 01/20/2012

I think what a person eats for breakfast is very important. Sure if you have a white flour bagel with schmear or a bran muffin that is probably more nutritionally similar to a cupcake than anything else, you're probably not doing yourself any favors. There is so much junk in the grocery stores that people mistakenly buy thinking it's healthy when it really isn't. That's a major problem that makes it more difficult for people to make healthy choices.

[mymatrix]

10:51 PM on 01/20/2012

The only way I lost weight, and kept it off, was to throw out the "wisdom" and listen to my own by having nothing but 2 cups coffee and maybe a few almonds, maybe a half piece of toast, maybe a few bites of yogurt. I found that morning was the one time I had control over my appetite and was extra busy, but I made sure that when I really felt hunger I'd pop a bite in my mouth, preferably protein. At lunch I'd make a point not to make up for lost time, same with dinner, and then come evening, when I had the least self control, I still enjoyed my favorite healthy munchies.
There is just a lot we don't know though experts keep telling us. We have more wisdom than we think.