Breakfast is a meal that we all should eat, but too many of us are skipping it or opting for foods that aren’t healthy.
These breakfast choices are often loaded with sugar, which can cause a blood sugar spike and a tumultuous energy cycle later in the day. Instead, eat a balanced breakfast that includes lean protein, whole grains and fruit or veggies to get the nutrients you need to start your day right.
1. Bread
A healthy breakfast is crucial for anyone who works hard and wants to maintain their energy levels throughout the day. Most people skip breakfast to save time, but skipping it can cause impulsive hunger cravings and lead to overeating later on in the day.
Bread is a staple food that’s prepared by mixing flour with water and baking, steaming or frying the dough. It’s made from a variety of different grains, including wheat, corn, rye, barley, spelt, teff, chestnut, rice and more.
White bread is a popular choice, but it’s not the healthiest option. The process that creates it removes most of the vitamins from the wheat.
Instead of white bread, you can opt for whole-grain varieties that are rich in fibre, nutrients and antioxidants. These are less likely to cause weight gain and may even help with weight loss.
2. Low-fat or fat-free yogurt
While yogurt can be a healthy addition to your morning meal, it’s important to choose one that is high in protein and low in added sugar. Yogurt is made by fermenting dairy and contains probiotics and many nutrients.
However, too much added sugar can increase your blood sugar and trigger inflammation in your body. This can lead to weight gain and a greater risk of chronic disease, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Besides, too much sugar in your diet can also have negative effects on your mood and energy levels. It can make you feel hungrier sooner, causing you to snack more throughout the day.
To avoid this, choose a plain or natural yogurt with no sugars, artificial sweeteners or flavourings. Then, add fruit and a dash of honey to taste.
3. Eggs
Eggs are a versatile ingredient that can be used to thicken soups and sauces, bind ingredients together and even to coat food for frying.
They have a hard shell of calcium carbonate enclosing a liquid white, a single yolk and an air cell. The white becomes opaque and the yolk turns orange-yellow when cooked or beaten.
But eggs can be a healthy choice for breakfast because they contain high quality protein, which helps lower blood pressure and optimise bone health, along with vitamins B2, B5, B12 and selenium.
However, you should be aware that the yolk is high in fat and dietary cholesterol. It can also cause you to overeat because of its high calorie content.
Fortunately, many people around the world enjoy eating eggs for breakfast. From South African breakfasts that include putu pap to heart-healthy tofu in Korea, dieticians have revealed some of the healthiest foods you can eat for your first meal of the day.
4. Fruit
Fruit is a delicious addition to any breakfast menu, but can also be unhealthy depending on the type of fruit you eat. The main problem is that fruits have a high glycemic index, meaning that they will raise your blood sugar levels quickly and can cause weight gain and other health problems.
In addition, fruit doesn’t provide the sustained energy that protein and fats do. Instead, it gives you a burst of energy that is short-lived and will leave you feeling hungry again soon after.
Another problem with fruit is that some people find it too sweet, so they may need to limit their intake. This can be especially true for those who are concerned about their sugar intake.