September is National Breakfast Month, and for many people breakfast is a low priority or not one at all. If you think you are saving time or cutting calories by skipping breakfast, think again. Making a healthy breakfast a part of your morning can help get you on track to make healthier choices throughout the day, increase your physical activity, and help curb overindulging on convenience foods and overeating at lunch. A healthy breakfast replenishes your body and can have a positive impact on your general health. Check out these tips on why a healthy breakfast is important and how to make it happen.
Tips on Making Breakfast a Priority:
Skipping Breakfast and Weight Gain
- Skipping breakfast may increase your chances for weight gain. Eating breakfast can help reduce hunger and avoid overeating.
- Skipping breakfast may leave you feeling famished, leaving the door open for temptations such as candy, chips, and other foods from the vending machine.
- When you are at the grocery store try buying portable breakfast items such as fruit, low-fat yogurt, and whole grain breakfast or granola bars for when you are on the go.
The Health Benefits of Breakfast
- Research shows that those who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to have a healthier overall diet. · Healthy options include whole grains (oatmeal, whole grain cereals and breads), low-fat protein (peanut butter, lean slices of poultry, meat, or fish), low-fat dairy (low-fat milk, yogurt and cheeses), and fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen or 100% juices).
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
- Small whole wheat bagel with peanut butter, a banana, and a glass of skim or low-fat milk.
- Oatmeal with skim or low-fat milk topped with dried or fresh fruit and chopped nuts.
- Breakfast parfait made with low-fat yogurt, fruit, and low-fat granola.
- Sandwich made with a whole grain English muffin, turkey bacon, and low-fat cheese.
Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Here are some additional breakfast recipes from Champions for Change:
https://cachampionsforchange.cdph.ca.gov/en/recipes/Pages/default.aspx
