Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Why is breakfast so important?

Breakfast refuels your body after the overnight fast since your last meal and replenishes your blood sugar, giving you a jump-start to the day. Because of this, breakfast is one of the most important healthy habits you can cultivate to promote long life and good health!

Here are four key reasons not to skip breakfast:

1. Eating breakfast boosts your daily nutrient intake Studies in the UK, USA and Australia have consistently shown that breakfast eaters have healthier diets overall. They tend to consume less fat, more fibre and higher levels of vitamins and minerals.

2. Eating breakfast helps control your weight If you start the day with a healthy breakfast you are less likely to consume calorie-dense pick-me-ups later in the day.

3. Eating breakfast improves your memory Glucose is your brain's main energy source. When you eat breakfast you give your brain the food it needs to function at its best - which means you are better able to concentrate and are more productive.

4. Eating breakfast reduces your cholesterol People who eat breakfast tend to include less cholesterol in their diet than those who skip breakfast.

What should you eat for breakfast?

A good breakfast should contain Fruit, Whole Grains, Calcium, and Protein. Which gives you plenty of scope for a delicious and nutritious start to the day.

Here’s a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

• A fruit smoothie - banana, yoghurt, a tablespoon of wheatgerm and whatever other fruit is in season

• Wholegrain cereal with low-fat milk and a banana or some stewed fruit

• Wholegrain toast with a poached or boiled egg and sliced tomato

• An omelette with mushrooms and peppers

• An orange and a wholegrain muffin topped with cream cheese - can be toasted or grilled.

Try this delicious, healthy breakfast pudding. Its quick and easy to prepare and will get your day off to a great start.

• 1 large apple – cored and chunked
• 1 large banana - chunked  
• 1 small orange or tangerine (seeds removed) - chunked  
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seed  
• 6 soaked almonds  
• 1 tablespoon flax seed oil  
• 2 tablespoons rice milk  
• Dash of freshly ground nutmeg

Place all ingredients in a food processor with the S blade in place. Puree until desired consistency. If too thin, reduce or eliminate rice milk. If too thick add a bit more rice milk. Spoon into bowls and enjoy.

From: ezHealthyDiet.com