healthbreakfastAfter weeks of festivities containing rich foods it is no wonder that January is Weight Loss Awareness Month. One simple way to jump start your weight loss is by eating breakfast. Studies have found that eating a balanced breakfast raises your metabolism by 10% and reduces binge eating throughout the day. What does a healthy balanced breakfast look like? Which foods are going to provide the fuel you need to keep focused and pang-free all morning? Building a healthy balanced breakfast is easy if you choose a food from each of the four categories below:

The Foundation: Protein

Ample protein in the morning sets the stage for the day. It controls cravings and keeps you focused. Start with yogurt, eggs, milk, meat or beans.

The Energizer: Carbohydrate

Without complex carbs, you’ll be dragging in no time. Stick to whole grains, vegetables or fruit for antioxidant power and filling fiber.

The Marathoner: Fat

Fat is in it for the long haul, keeping you full for hours. Choose healthy options, such as avocado, nuts, seeds, pesto or olives.

The Garnish: Flavor

Try a sprinkle of coconut on yogurt, a spoonful of salsa on eggs or chocolate chips in pancakes. Pleasure your palate with a sensory boost of flavor to round out your breakfast. Get creative!

Here are a few favorite balanced breakfasts to get you started:

  • Buckwheat banana pancakes (carbohydrate), spiced yogurt (protein), pecans (fat), maple syrup (flavor)
  • Brown rice (carbohydrate), eggs (protein), tomato, avocado and pesto (fat/flavor)
  • Whole-grain cereal and banana (carbohydrate), milk (protein), almonds (fat), currants (flavor)

— Carrie Huseman, MS, dietetic intern, and Debra A. Boutin, MS, RD, chair and dietetic internship director, Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University.

 

Healthy balanced breakfast challenge!

Keep track of the number of days you had a healthy balanced breakfast during the week of January 25 – 31 and submit your total to Marcia Talicska at mtalicska@nmc.edu by 2/5/15. Be quick, the first person to send me their tally with the highest number of healthy breakfasts wins a VISA gift card. All other entries will be entered in a random drawing for a VISA gift card.