| Breakfast Excuse Busters! | |
In part one of our article series about breakfast, we learned why eating a good breakfast is so important to our health, well-being, and weight loss efforts. So, why do we tend to skip this all-important meal? What are the solutions to the issues that stand between a healthy morning meal and us?
- Breakfast Bum Excuse: "I need my sleep!"
You're Busted!: Surrender the Snooze Button
If you're anything like me, you'd prefer to sleep a little later rather than get up in time to prepare a meal in the wee small hours. When you're not a morning person, it's hard to resist that snooze button, but it will pay off more than those 10 blissful moments of laziness. In time, you'll find that working in a good breakfast will give you much more energy to face the day than spending a few more moments under the covers ever could! - Breakfast Bum Excuse: "The munchkins make it impossible!"
You're Busted!: Make it a Priority
Maybe it's so hectic getting the kids off, you just can't seem to find the time to put anything together? It's easy to settle for Pop Tarts or doughnuts for the kids, but the whole family will benefit from a better breakfast. Studies show that children perform better in school when they've eaten a healthy breakfast. Plan your family's breakfasts the night before and re-assess your morning schedule and tasks so you can make meal preparation a priority. Don't forget to partake yourself -- children who see their parents eat breakfast are more likely to eat it themselves. * - Breakfast Bum Excuse: "I get hungrier sooner when I eat breakfast!"
You're Busted!: Give your Breakfast a Protein Punch
Lots of typical breakfast foods are comprised of simple carbohydrates: white bread for toast, many cereals (especially kids' brands), regular bagels, etc. Simple carbs send your blood sugar through the roof because they are so easily digested. When your blood sugar comes back down, you feel ravenous. Punch up your breakfast's staying power by including protein. Examples: spread peanut butter onto fruit or whole wheat toast; choose a whole wheat bagel and pair it up with some cottage cheese; eat yogurt with your Nutrigrain bar.
