Breakfast is touted as the most important meal of the day! It kick-starts your metabolism and gives you fuel to run on until lunchtime hits. The healthiest breakfast choices contain a combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats along with a moderate amount of unrefined carbs to provide quick energy.
Unfortunately, many common breakfast foods don’t meet these criteria and may leave you feeling hungry shortly after eating and at other times, uncomfortably full.
Here are some breakfast foods you should never start your day with. These unhealthy options are better left in the store than in your shopping cart!
Cereals are not the best everyday breakfast option. Cereals that are high in carbohydrates and sugar and low in fiber could cause your blood sugar to spike and then quickly drop, which can lead to mid-morning cravings and moodiness. Always choose a cereal with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving and boost it further by adding berries, a sprinkle of flaxseed or sliced almonds.
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Pancakes and waffles are not a nutritious way to fuel your mornings. Despite their tasty profile, these comfort foods are often made with refined white flour and topped with butter and syrup, which is essentially pure sugar. So, while they can fill you up quickly, they won’t keep you full for long.
If your cravings for pancakes or waffles are too strong to ignore, opt for versions with whole grains or other nutrient-dense ingredients like almond or chickpea flour.
Buttered toast is a simple and easy breakfast option but it won’t sustain you for long due to its lack of protein. The vast majority of the calories in buttered toast come from the carbs in the bread and the fat from the butter.
Yet, it can still be an appropriate breakfast option if you choose whole-grain bread and add protein-rich toppings like eggs or shredded chicken breast.
Even though you might think that quenching your thirst with fruit juice is healthier than drinking sugary sodas or sweetened teas, it’s not the best drink choice. Fruit juices are high in sugar, low in fiber and not at all filling. Thus, it’s best to only enjoy this colourful drink occasionally and stick to whole fruit most mornings.
There are many varieties of breakfast bars in the market, from granola to cereal to oat bars. The vast majority of these are highly processed and full of added sugars, which makes them a suboptimal breakfast choice.
Also Read: How to choose a breakfast cereal? Here are some tips that’ll help you
If you still opt for a breakfast bar, look for one that’s made with whole food ingredients, contains limited added sugar and has at least 10 grams of protein per serving to promote fullness.
Lastly, make sure you're choosing a breakfast that’s made from whole foods rather than processed foods or refined carbs.