Breakfast is an important meal and healthy way to refuel your body to get you in gear for the day ahead.  Never overlook this meal.  Learn to select healthy options that fit your taste and lifestyle. Review below some of the benefits of a healthy breakfast:

• A healthy breakfast can start your day off right
• A healthy breakfast refuels your body to help jump-start your day
• Eating a healthy breakfast helps you to consume more vitamins and minerals, less fat and cholesterol
• A healthy breakfast gives you the ability for better concentration and productivity throughout the morning
• A healthy breakfast helps you to control weight
• A healthy breakfast can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease Encourage your children and adolescents to eat a healthy breakfast

It is especially important for these two age groups.  The American Dietetic Association says children who eat a healthy breakfast are more likely to have better concentration, problem-solving skills and eye-hand coordination.  In addition, these children may also be more alert, and less likely to miss days of school.  Creativity may be easier for children who eat a healthy breakfast.

 What exactly is a healthy breakfast? 

A healthy breakfast should be a variety of foods like whole grains, low-fat protein or dairy sources, and fruit.  All these food groups provide complex carbohydrates, protein and a small amount of at.  This is a winning combination to delay hunger symptoms for longer periods of time. One way of being sure you eat a healthy breakfast each day is to choose one item from at least three of the following food groups:

• Fruits and vegetables (if you choose juice, it should be 100 percent juice without added sugar)
• Grains such as rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereal, low-fat bran muffins or Melba toast
• Dairy such as skim milk, low-fat yogurt cups or low-fat cheese like cottage and natural cheeses
• Protein like hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat A quick breakfast on the go could be dry, ready-to-eat cereal with a banana and low-fat or skim milk. 

Choose cereal higher in fiber. If counting calories, choose cereals lower in calories.  Carnation Instant Breakfast drink has always been a favorite of mine for breakfast in a hurry.  Oatmeal is another good choice, but may not be appropriate if you are on the go or in a hurry.  Hard boiled eggs are easy to take with you.  Eggs are full of nutrients.  I could not get through a week without my eggs, either hard boiled or medium over. If you eat out for breakfast you can still make healthy choices.  Whole-grain bagels, rolls and English muffins are better than fat-filled doughnuts, scones, croissants or biscuits.  Try to do without the oversized breakfast sandwiches, the bacon, the sausage and whole milk; these are not your best choices for a healthy breakfast.

If time never seems to be on your side, try to figure out what you will eat the night before and up a little earlier to enjoy it.  You can also try packing something to take with you.  Never think you are saving calories by skipping breakfast.  You will probably end up “starving” by lunchtime and possibly overeat, or midmorning hunger leads you to grab for a high-fat treat just because it is quick to stuff into your mouth.

Remember that making nutritious breakfast choices can lay the foundation for healthier eating all day long.  A healthy breakfast should definitely be something you fit into your daily schedule.

Source:  Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer:  The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.  Please consult your health care provider for advice about specific medical concerns.