Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day! Not only is it breaking your body from it’s overnight fast, but it is setting your body up with the fuel it needs to get through the day ahead. Without breakfast you are running on empty, like trying to start a car with no petrol. What you fill your tank with each morning can mean the difference between a productive and enjoyable day or a tiring and stressful one.
For most people who skip breakfast, time is the contributing factor. Getting ten more minutes snuggled up in a warm, cosy bed is far more appealing than getting up early enough to make a healthy breakfast. But this short term joy can result in some long term pain!
Skipping breakfast can have a negative impact on energy levels, metabolism, cognitive function and blood sugar levels. It can also lead people to over eat and make poor food choices later in the day which over time can lead to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and being overweight. Extensive research has shown that regularly eating a healthy breakfast will increase your energy stores, increase your metabolism, improve memory and concentration and stabilise your blood sugar levels, so it’s definitely worth getting out of bed for!
A healthy breakfast should be high in protein, fibre, good fats, vitamins, minerals and good quality carbohydrates. A simple, quick and convenient way to make sure you are kick starting your day with a tummy full of these great nutrients is with a breakfast smoothie! Smoothies are a fantastic way to pack a whole lot of nutrients into one meal. With the right ingredients they can help you to feel fuller longer, avoid the afternoon slump and reduce those intense sugar and caffeine cravings that many people experience later in the day. Also being a liquid makes it easier for the body to digest and absorb all these wonderful nutrients!
Here are some great ingredients that you can combine easily each morning to fuel and nourish your brain and body throughout the day:
1 – 2 pieces of fruit of choice
Handful of nuts and seeds of choice or 1-2 spoonfuls of LSA
1-2 spoonfuls of hemp seeds
Handful of spinach or kale
Coconut/rice/almond/oat milk or coconut water
Good quality protein powder or 1 egg
This is just a base line of nutrient dense ingredients to start with as there are so many other nutritious delicious foods that can be added as well, depending on personal tastes.
So give your body the kick start it needs of a morning with a nutrient packed super smoothie and notice the difference it makes to your day!
