I have been trying to decide where to start and then it hit me. I thought it would be only fitting for my first proper post to start with the meal that kick-starts our day. Breakfast is my favourite meal hands down. Every morning, I wake up looking forward to it (the major reason that I am hopeless at sleeping in!), the weekends being even better, because I can string it out and really enjoy it.
It seems however, that not all Aussies are like me. The Australian Breakfast Report, a new survey by Galaxy, conducted on Australian households has found that we just aren't eating breakfast like we used to. One in three of us are eating breakfast on the run, leaving on 8 minutes to both prepare and eat! Even worse, 56% of us are skipping it at least once a week and 30% are skipping is at least 3 times a week. The scariest thing is that of those skippers surveyed, half thought that it was affecting their performance during the day and 35% felt they were lethargic. Does this sounds sound like you?
Breakfast is important for a numer of reasons. Studies have shown that those that eat a proper breakfast have better concentration and energy levels throughout the day, learn better, have less problems managing their weight and even have less cravings for high sugar foods throughout the rest of the day. Breakfast also gives you a whack of nutrients that you would otherwise be missing out on - things like protein, carbohydrates, calcium, fibre, wholegrains and lots of other vitamins and minerals depending on your breakfast of choice.
So what is a proper breakfast? To start the day off well an ideal breakfast would include:
If you sound like the many Aussies mentioned above and you think you are missing out on all the great benefits of having breakfast then I propose a challenge! I challenge you to try to fit in breakfast every day. I know that may sound like something that is impossible but it's not really... I am about to give you no excuse to skip breakkie and head to work on an empty stomach. Here are 5 quick and easy, on the go breakfasts that will give you the nutrients that you need to start your day off on the right foot.
It seems however, that not all Aussies are like me. The Australian Breakfast Report, a new survey by Galaxy, conducted on Australian households has found that we just aren't eating breakfast like we used to. One in three of us are eating breakfast on the run, leaving on 8 minutes to both prepare and eat! Even worse, 56% of us are skipping it at least once a week and 30% are skipping is at least 3 times a week. The scariest thing is that of those skippers surveyed, half thought that it was affecting their performance during the day and 35% felt they were lethargic. Does this sounds sound like you?
Breakfast is important for a numer of reasons. Studies have shown that those that eat a proper breakfast have better concentration and energy levels throughout the day, learn better, have less problems managing their weight and even have less cravings for high sugar foods throughout the rest of the day. Breakfast also gives you a whack of nutrients that you would otherwise be missing out on - things like protein, carbohydrates, calcium, fibre, wholegrains and lots of other vitamins and minerals depending on your breakfast of choice.
So what is a proper breakfast? To start the day off well an ideal breakfast would include:
- a piece of fruit
- a serve of dairy, and
- a serve of whole grains (usually as bread or cereal)
If you sound like the many Aussies mentioned above and you think you are missing out on all the great benefits of having breakfast then I propose a challenge! I challenge you to try to fit in breakfast every day. I know that may sound like something that is impossible but it's not really... I am about to give you no excuse to skip breakkie and head to work on an empty stomach. Here are 5 quick and easy, on the go breakfasts that will give you the nutrients that you need to start your day off on the right foot.
- A peanut butter multigrain sandwich (toasted or fresh) made before you run out the door and a skim latte on your way to the office. You get fibre and wholegrains (from the bread) and protein (from the peanut butter and latte) which will fill you up and get you through the morning, and a serve of dairy to boost to your calcium intake too.
- A bircher muesli made the night before that you can throw in your bag and eat when you get to work. Try mixing 1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup of water or apple juice, 1/2 grated apple and a tablespoon of sultanas and dollop 100g of reduced-fat yoghurt on the top. You can even make one big batch on Sunday night and pack it into individual containers so you have enought to last you through the week.
- A quick banana & berry smoothie in a take-away coffee cup. Blend 1/2 banana, 1/2 punnet of blueberries (or a handful or frozen berries) with 1/4 cup reduced fat yoghurt, 1 cup skim milk and a tablespoon of LSA or rolled oats to up the fibre. Creative Gourmet make brilliant Smoothie Cubes that you can keep on hand in the freezer if you run out of fruit too.
- Breakfast biscuits are a new concept but delicious! Belvita Breakfast Biscuits have just hit the shelves (look for the yellow box). Combine one of these with a piece of fruit and a skim latte and breakkie is done! Lots of slow-release energy and fibre to keep you going too.
- 2 pieces of raisin toast and a skim cappuccino from a cafe on your way past. Raisin toast is low GI and you get protein from the coffee to make it a filling and long-lasting breakfast. Biggest trick - ask for only a thin spread of marg (or ask to do it yourself) as the heavy-handed chef is often where this choice can fall over in terms of nutrition. If you do choose this option, its also wise to remember to have a piece of fruit for morning tea to make sure you aren't missing out on your two serves for the day.
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