Eating breakfast jump starts your metabolism. After going all night without food your metabolic rate slows and you hold on to calories, your brain has less fuel and you are less creative, your muscles have less fuel and you have less energy, and hunger can make you cranky. Who wants to start their day as an uncreative, minimally productive, crabby person?
Eating soon after waking up lets your body know you will take care of it today; it does not have to go into starvation mode and cling to every calorie you consume. Your metabolism can speed up to a faster pace simply by eating breakfast.
What to eat:
I like to eat something with protein and fiber to provide long lasting energy:
- peanut or almond butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread
- bagel with melted cheese
- an apple with peanut or almond butter
- whole wheat tortilla filled with scrambled eggs and salsa
- cheese quesadilla
- ½ turkey, swiss cheese, and avocado sandwich
Although calorie dense but not nutritious, eating a donut or brownie for breakfast resets your metabolism. Your breakfast includes a portion of your daily calories, so eat them wisely to get the most nutrients.
Research shows that breakfast eaters eat fewer calories over the course of the day. They do not arrive home famished at dinnertime; they avoid snacking before dinner, overeating at dinner, and do not need to munch mindlessly throughout the night.
Excuses and Solutions
Excuse: “I’m not hungry in the morning.” Pay attention to how much you eat before going to bed. Stop eating after dinner so you have an appetite for breakfast.
Excuse: “I don’t have time to eat breakfast.” Make something quick like a sandwich or boil an egg the night before or eat leftover dinner food.
Excuse: “I’d rather save my calories for later in the day.” Eating upon awakening can let you burn more calories throughout the day. Your metabolism can run at a higher level simply by breaking the fast.
Excuse: “I’m not in the habit of eating breakfast.” Some habits are simply meant to be changed; create a new habit of eating breakfast.
What can you plan to eat tomorrow morning?
