Eat Your Breakfast

Now that the weather has broken, and our chilly rain days seem to be a thing of the past, it is getting hotter earlier in the mornings. Many people site skipping breakfast in the summer months stating that it is too hot for them to eat so early in the mornings. The heightened temperatures make them uncomfortable enough to skip this very important meal. However, this is a poor choice in terms of health and here’s why.

When you skip breakfast you sacrifice your body’s ability to undergo certain key functions to the best of its ability. First and foremost you are denying your brain nutrients which will sacrifice its peak function. Breakfast is the first opportunity we have to re-nourish ourselves after an 8-12 hour fast; depending on your dinner, bed, and rising time. When you break this fast, hence “breakfast,” you are giving your brain its first fuel for the day.

When you eat breakfast your body comes out of “famine mode.” This means that your body will be cued to stop holding onto your stored nutrients, which it automatically does once you have not eaten for at least 3-4 hours, because you are eating new ones. What this does is keep your metabolism working which will translate to an energy kick start to get your day started. Even though the best way to kick start metabolism is exercise, having a good breakfast will fuel your body with nutrients needed for energy for that morning workout!

If you’re a heavy breakfast eater in the fall/winter and you trail off in the summer because you can’t fathom eating a whole lot on those hot summer mornings try a lighter breakfast that still packs a nutritional punch. Below are a few examples. As always, be careful of food allergies and intolerances and talk to your primary care physician or nutritionist to make sure you’re making choices that are appropriate for you and your family.

1. Banana split with yogurt (instead of ice cream) and fresh berries/jam(instead of chocolate/strawberry/butterscotch sauces)
2. Yogurt parfait
3. Breakfast fruit salad (if you’re on the go you can even do a fruit kabob)
4. Smoothie (another on the go option. Pick your favorite fruit and greens and toss them in a blender with some ice!)
5. Cold oatmeal made with your favorite fruits and yogurt. (You can let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight to soften the oats.)