Breaking the Fast

I do have a few regrets this morning....What are my regrets you ask?? Well that I didn't have a chance to write a post yesterday of course! I do have a good reason why grace should be given though, IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY :) A great day spent with family and friends, shopping (D totally spoiled me), and a special birthday dinner. It really was a GREAT day.

So for my lack of posts yesterday, I want to write you a special one on my favorite meal. BREAKFAST!

Here it is, enjoy!

I believe the best lesson I ever learned from my Mother was, “Don’t skip breakfast!” I’m sure you can think back to a time in your own life when your Mother used to lecture you about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. Have you ever wondered why your Mother was so persistent about your morning meal? Well I’ve sought out those reasons and I’m prepared to bring them to you now!
They call it the most important meal of the day, and that is for a reason. It is supposed to kick start your metabolism; improve overall nutrition and control weight gain. Pretty impressive isn’t it? And all of this takes only 10-20 minutes every morning. I’d say that’s worth getting up a little early for!
Our metabolisms are directly related to our overall energy levels. The more energy you have to burn, the higher your metabolism. When you haven’t eaten for 8-14 hours, your body has to work extra hard to convert stored carbohydrates, fats or proteins into a usable energy source. Skipping meals also tricks your mind into believing that you are starving. This will cause your metabolism to slow down and you will over compensate during your next meal, causing you to consume too many calories. This tendency to overeat is thanks to spiked hunger hormones, like ghrelin (a hormone created in your stomach, which simulates appetite).
Although breakfast is an important step you should do every day, eating foods that are high in fat or sugar will create the opposite effect you are looking for. Eating a simple breakfast of cereal with milk and fruit can provide high amounts of calcium, riboflavin, folate, iron and B6, all-important for a healthy body. This is just one example of how eating a proper breakfast can improve overall nutrition.
How could eating more calories increase your chances of losing weight? Gail Frank, a registered dietitian from Los Angeles and who is also a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Society, has said, “Breakfast is also very important for weight loss and weight management. You ‘break the fast’ of not eating for the past eight to 12 hours. It helps curb your hunger and prevent binge eating later in the day. Breakfast is important to manage your weight and potentially lose weight by eating less calories throughout the day.”
So now that you know the importance of ‘breaking the fast’, let me show you some examples of what a healthy breakfast can look like. Add these healthy breakfast dishes to your current eating plan and you will be amazed at how they improve your metabolism, nutrition and help to control your weight. A breakfast smoothie, a vegetable omelet, peanut butter toast, or a bowl of oatmeal are the best options for a healthy way to start your day. Do yourself a favor and indulge in a healthy breakfast each morning for a controlled metabolism, good nutrition and to control your weight!