Is breakfast really that important to our overall health? The answer is yes! If you regularly skip breakfast you may well also be skipping out on some essential nutrients for good health. Not to mention you may feel more tired and irritable!
Why do people skip breakfast?
Has anyone heard the following lines from friends or family? Or do you find yourself using them?
- “Skipping breakfast will help me to lose weight”
- “I’m too busy”
- “I’m not hungry in the morning”
- “All breakfast cereals are full of sugar”
- “I don’t know what to choose for breakfast”
No matter what your age is, there are actually many benefits to eating a healthy breakfast.
Regular breakfast eaters:
- Are more likely to be of normal weight compared to non-breakfast eaters
- Are more likely to have improved levels of alertness, concentration, mental performance and memory
- Are more likely to be in a better mood
- Are less likely to snack on not so nutritious food during the day which can result in weight gain and poor nutrition and health status
- Are more likely to be meeting their daily fibre needs for good bowel health
- Eat more nutrients (including essential vitamins and minerals) than their breakfast-skipper counterparts
Busy? Here are some tips:
- Keep a supply of healthy wholegrain cereals in the house, these are quick and easy and very nutritious. Keep a carton of low fat UHT milk in the cupboard too, just in case you run out of milk and don’t have the time to head out and get more
- If you have trouble getting to the shops regularly, many of the major supermarket chains are not offering online shopping orders which can be delivered to your home
- Keep some low GI bread in the freezer so that you always have it on hand
- Keep some snack size cereals at work just in case your morning routine goes out the window
- A number of food companies make quick and easy breakfast drinks with added vitamins, minerals and fibre. These could be an occasional alternative when you are too busy to sit down and eat
So…what are some healthy options for breakfast?
- A bowl healthy cereal, like wholegrain or high fibre varieties, with low fat milk and sliced fresh fruit
- A delicious smoothie made from low fat milk, fresh fruit and yoghurt
- Fresh fruit and yoghurt with some wholegrain/low GI toast
- Bircher muesli with a variety of fruits and nuts added
- Pancakes topped with fruit and yoghurt
- Poached or boiled eggs on wholegrain/low Gl toast
- An omelette made with added vegetables such as onion, capsicum, mushrooms, spinach and tomato
- Wholegrain or wholemeal muffins topped with asparagus, tomato and low fat melted cheese
- Raisin toast spread with ricotta cheese, and a piece of fruit
- Wholegrain/low GI toast with a variety of toppings such as avocado, baked beans, tomatoes, peanut butter and a piece of fruit
How to choose when the options seem endless?
Why not attend a Healthy Shopping Tour. The tours are free of charge and are run by an Accredited Practising Dietitian who will assist you to understand food packaging and labels so you can make healthy choices for all the foods that you purchase. Phone 1300 136 588 to make a booking.




