Breakfast wakes up your metabolism after a night of sleep and gives your body the fuel it needs to get going. If your body doesn’t get the necessary fuel it needs to ramp up for the day from your breakfast, you may struggle for energy and be more likely to overeat throughout the day. The kind of food you choose for breakfast will set the tone for your energy level that day. A blend of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber is a great way to give your body some healthy energy at breakfast to kick start the day. Carbohydrates will give your body immediate fuel, while protein will kick in a little later to help you keep going, and fiber keeps you feeling full and helps you avoid overeating. Choose whole-grain cereal and fruit, a breakfast smoothie made from healthy fresh fruit or vegetables and low-fat yogurt, or healthy fats and protein such as nuts and nut butters. Studies have shown that beginning the day with a sugar-loaded breakfast can sabotage your day, setting you up to crave sugary foods that can send your blood sugar on an unhealthy roller coaster ride. Read labels when you shop and avoid items that list any form of sugar in the first few ingredients or contain more than four total grams of sugar. Eating a healthy breakfast will support good overall health, lowering your risk of developing diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity, and boosting memory and concentration.
Eating breakfast doesn’t have to mean eating heavy; a healthy breakfast can be low to moderate in calories and still give you the energy you need to start your day and stay satisfied until lunchtime. When preparing your healthy breakfast, include vitamins, healthy fats and nutrients such as dairy, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Eating a healthy low-calorie breakfast full of nutrients will keep your energy levels steady throughout the morning and lead to more healthy choices that can help with weight loss. A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to take a lot of time either, especially if you put your breakfast together ahead of time. Some healthy breakfast ideas that your body will thank you for include:
- Mini Breakfast Frittatas
- Overnight Oats
- Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl
- Overnight Buckwheat and Almond Parfait
- Cinnamon Raisin Harvest Muffins
- Hash brown Egg Nests with Avocado
- Oatmeal Squares
- Vanilla Chia Pudding
- Stuffed Breakfast Peppers
- Honey Nut Bars
Other healthy low-calorie breakfast choices include egg whites, wheat germ, bananas, berries, grapefruit, smoothies, Greek yogurt, green tea, and oatmeal. All of which can be taken on the go.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try some creative breakfast recipes that are slightly outside the typical breakfast “box” but still healthy, and definitely not boring! Here are a few ways you can get creative with your low-calorie meal:
- Goat Cheese Omelet
- Asparagus and Soft Eggs on Toast
- Avocado toast with Radish
- Yogurt parfait
- Poached Eggs with Mushrooms and Tomatoes
- Gingery Berry and Oat Smoothie
- Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes
A healthy, nutritious breakfast is important to your overall health and wellbeing and can set you up for dietary success all day long. When you’re out and about and need a delicious, nutritious, low-calorie breakfast to start your day off right, stop by and try something from the lighter side of the menu at The Original Pancake House. With two locations in the Denver area at Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center, you can enjoy the homemade goodness that makes breakfast at America’s finest pancake house a great idea any day of the week from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you at our table!
