Eating Breakfast
Written by Lynn Roblin MSc. RD
Eating a nutritious breakfast is important to help you feel good, improve your mental performance, and increase your intake of important nutrients. Canada's Food Guide recommends having breakfast every day. It may help control your hunger later in the day.
A nutritious breakfast should include foods from at least three out of four groups in Canada's Food Guide.
After 8-12 hours without food your body needs energy or calories from food to get you going and help you carry out your physical and mental tasks. If you skip breakfast, you may feel hungry and may not perform to the best of your abilities.
Try switching to higher fibre whole grain cereals or bread and having these with protein-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese, or peanut butter. Adding fibre and protein to your breakfast can help improve satiety.
If you simply can't manage breakfast when you first get up, aim to have a healthy balanced mini meal sometime later in the morning.
Here are some fast and easy breakfast ideas:
- Breakfast cereal with sliced bananas, raisins, and a glass of milk.
- Muesli-type cereal with berries and low-fat yogurt.
- Bagel with peanut butter, banana, and a glass of milk.
- Bran muffin, pear and slice of Cheddar cheese.
Always consult your health care professional before making any significant changes in your dietary habits or your physical activity routines. *©, 2010 Trademark of Kellogg Company used under license by Kellogg Canada Inc.