Many health experts and our mothers stress the fact that we should start our day with a healthy breakfast. But what exactly does a healthy breakfast consist of? How much and what kind of food should it consist of? How do we give our bodies the proper fuel in this all-important first meal to energize us and launch us into our day? With our fast-paced lives, our options seem to consist of sugary starches and grains that simply drain our energy and make us seek a nap before leaving the house.
Fruits and nuts are obviously natural and healthy, but they may not be the best choice for everyone and they definitely don’t work for those with the “stick to the ribs” mentality. And besides, who has time to think about protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, carbohydrates, sugar and fat? We need to hit the streets with something that is healthy and we want to make it easy!
So what? How do we find out what is healthy for us individually?
There is endless information, speculation and opinion on how to start the day in the most nutritious way. Big box retailers flood our media landscape with test result claims that their sugary oatmeal cereals and processed wheat snacks are the best for lowering cholesterol and losing weight on the go. What is missing from those statements is exactly who are the people being tested. If I ate a breakfast made for a lumberjack every day for a year, then accepted compensation to commit to a focus group “test” of eating sugary cereals and starchy snacks, then I would lose weight and lower my cholesterol too!
Don’t get me wrong, these products have been successful for a very select group of people who fall into this scenario, but let’s face it, the universe of people who eat breakfast every day is astounding. The reality is that we all fall into varying degrees of health and wellness categories and there is no “Best Breakfast” for everyone, no matter what the labels proclaim.
We are living in what I call “The Age of the Magic Pill”. The marketers want us to believe that they have finally developed a magic pill that will somehow magically know what each person’s body requires for optimal nutrition and “abra kadabra” we swallow the pill and we are on our way to superior health. . if right.
There is an answer to the question of what food works for just about everyone, and this food can be adapted in countless ways to suit both your health and culinary needs. Once seen as the anchor of all weight loss programs, the shake now has a well-documented history as a complete nutritious meal…and not just for breakfast! Protein, fiber, antioxidants and much more can be packed into a simple and easy breakfast shake. Chalky, bland old-school concoctions have given way to new-school custom recipes tailored to the wellness needs and gourmet tastes of the individual. Why have yet another piece of toast or a bowl of sugary cereal when you can whip up a gourmet breakfast in no time that far surpasses any one-dimensional breakfast option and, best of all, can be enjoyed on the go?
If you’re stuck in a breakfast rut, then shake things up a bit (pun intended). Maybe you’ve even tried them in the past. Give it another try, but be creative. Experiment with the ingredients for a while and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll see many different results. Remember, you are different from others. From your metabolic rate to your daily activity levels, your exercise routines and more. Mixing YOUR perfect combination of ingredients will launch you into your day feeling full and with plenty of brain fuel to tackle anything that comes your way.
There are only WAY to many recipe options to get into right now. It is best to start with your favorite things. Using a base of fruit juices or milk or flavored soy milk, you really can create endless combinations of healthy mixed meals. You can also add fruits and yogurts and peanut butter…there are countless options. Once you’ve crafted your favorite mixes, you can really customize your creations, adding additional protein and fiber powders to really kick it up a notch. Every day can be different and the results will be noticeable almost immediately.