BREAKFAST POWER
A NUTRITION-PACKED MEAL CAN START YOUR DAY RIGHT
The literal definition of the word “breakfast” is “to break the fast.” When you are sleeping, your body will not burn nearly as much energy as when you are active during the day. However, your body still requires calories and nutrients to function properly even during rest. If you skip breakfast, you are likely to feel the effects mid-morning when your body runs out of energy. You may notice that you have a hard time concentrating or experience feelings of agitation or irritability within a few hours of waking up if you haven’t eaten breakfast.
Skipping breakfast to lose weight is a common myth that is being busted time and time again by nutritionists and other health experts. According to Canadian Living Magazine; 40 per cent of Canadians still skip breakfast thinking it will help them lose weight. Skipping breakfast sends your body into another “starvation mode” as a method for conserving calories. Instead of burning fat, your body will be doing whatever it can to conserve its calorie stores.
You may have heard the saying, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” The reasoning behind this wellknown phrase is that your metabolism is the most efficient in the morning and the least efficient in the evening. Skipping breakfast can send your system out of whack so that your metabolic rate is slower than it should be around the clock. However, if you eat a healthy breakfast, you will kick-start your metabolism first thing in the morning so that it functions properly the rest of the day.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, a study conducted at Columbia University revealed that people who consumed more calories were able to lose more weight than people who ate fewer calories for breakfast.
Most nutritionists believe this result is due to the fact that people who eat a healthy and robust meal first thing in the morning tend to make wiser food choices the rest of the day. Have you ever noticed that you crave fatty and unhealthy foods when you are very hungry?
Many people who skip breakfast make poor food choices at lunch simply because they are incredibly hungry by that time. Unfortunately, poor food choices lead to fatigue, poor concentration, excess weight, and a number of health conditions.
Of course, to gain the benefits of eating breakfast, you will need to make wise choices about what the meal includes. The key to a healthy breakfast is to avoid foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium. Did you know that just two to three pancakes with butter and syrup can add up to 800 calories and more than 20 grams of fat? The average recommenda- tion for breakfast is 350-500 calories. However, the number of calories that your breakfast should include will depend on factors such as how tall you are and how active you are.
Experiment with healthy breakfast choices to determine what foods offer you lasting energy and help you to make wise food choices the rest of the day. Looking for a healthy alternative to your favourite pancakes? Try out this amazing recipe from Calgary’s Powerhouse Cafe. This is just one of the delightful healthy meals they offer.
If you love syrup (and who doesn’t?) look for sugar-free options from retailers that sell food for diabetics.