What's for Breakfast?

As we rise in the morning and scramble to get out the door for work, breakfast usually gets the back burner. While some just plain go without, the other percentage tends to grab an energy bar, a bagel, coffee and/or boxed cereal. Those who eat something tend to do so in a rush, chomping down while gathering up what they need for the day or while lacing their shoes and grabbing the egg sandwich as they race out the door.

The old saying that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" is partially true. I don't give breakfast full credit because all 3 meals are important in maintaining and sustaining energy throughout the day, for blood sugar stabilization, for mental functioning and for overall health and well being. Breakfast does jump start our metabolism and helps to literally "break the fast" from the period of dinner through sleep. However, if we put fuel in our tanks that our bodies cannot run on, if we rush a meal, or skip a meal then we're starting our day off at a disadvantage.

One major problem is that we don't wake up in time to have a relaxed and nutritious breakfast. Instead of incessantly hitting the snooze button we need to make it a priority to arise and nurture ourselves. It is important to sit in the company of family or community and share meals together. Also, food should be chewed thoroughly as swallowing big bites and lack of chewing harms stomach qi. Stomach qi is the energy produced by our stomach's; it is in charge of breaking down, and descending our food which eventually gets transformed into our blood. When we eat hurriedly, standing up, take large bites or forget to chew thoroughly, our digestion is inhibited and may cause belching, acid reflux, nausea, stomach pain/cramping and can prolong and/or interfere with the entire digestive process therefore affecting our quality of blood.

We also need to take quality of food into consideration. Bagels, most boxed cereals and most bread products tend to spike blood sugar providing a quick boost of energy soon tapering off to hunger again a couple hours after breakfast. Such products are also lacking in several nutrients, and tend to have added vitamins which are not absorbed well, if at all, in the gut. Top that with cream cheese, jelly, conventional cheese or margarine and we have a caloric, toxic mess which is not the way to start off our morning.

Breakfast can be simple, pleasurable and extremely nourishing when we are educated and take the time to do so. When we allow time for breakfast and sit with our children or families and eat nourishing, healthy foods it not only benefits us for the day, but it teaches our children the importance of sharing meals together and eating healthily so that they can build healthy habits at a young age and set the example for their families when the time comes. Here are some healthy tips on how to do so:

Forget most boxed cereals, instant cereal (oatmeal), bagels, most packaged breads. Instead, choose whole oats, gluten free oats, rice bread, whole grain bread from your local farmer's market, or amaranth. Stir almond butter, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts or walnuts into your oats or amaranth. Additionally, a little hemp, rice, or raw cow or goat milk can be added, as well as berries and flax or hemp seeds. Not enough fuel for your tank? Add a boiled or scrambled egg on the side.

Breads can be topped with almond butter and flax or hemp seeds with a side of seasonal fruit. Take advantage of the anti-oxidant rich berries that are currently in season!

Scrambled eggs sauteed with extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of turmeric and black pepper is an excellent cancer fighter. Have high cholesterol? One of the biggest myths is that egg yolks increase one's cholesterol. They may be true if we choose conventionally raised eggs that have been fed soy and wheat meal as well as antibiotics. However, when we choose organic, omega-3 eggs, particularly from the farmers market, we actually can lower cholesterol. The yolk is also an excellent of B-vitamins including biotin which helps to maintain energy and manage stress. Top eggs with fresh herbs such as basil, sage, oregano and thyme and enjoy with a side of miso soup, brown rice (cooked the night before/leftover from dinner), rice or whole grain bread.

If you're a coffee drinker caution to females as the intake of coffee has been linked to much higher risks of breast cancer rates. A cup here and there is often a healthy dose of antioxidants however, if drank more than 1-2 times per week can result in addiction, decreased adrenal function, and an increase in cancer and heart disease. Be cautious of drinking French pressed coffee as it is linked with an increase in atherosclerosis. If you drink coffee, try to buy organic, fair trade as often as possible; experiment by gradually replacing coffee with green tea. Oolong, Hojicha, Jasamine and Sencha are good morning teas which are packed with antioxidants, as well as cancer and heart protective properties. In the afternoon, particularly after 3pm, try Puerh tea. Puerh is a type of green tea which is great for the Kidneys and is one of the most highly prized teas in China praised for its health benifits and healing properties.

Breakfast No, No's:
Orange juice, bagels, most boxed cereals, instant oatmeal, apple juice, cream cheese, vegan cream cheese, conventional eggs, bacon, ham, buttermilk pancakes, donuts, muffins, coffee cake; breakfast diners and restaurants are usually the body's worst nightmare unless you live in an area which has healthy eateries, try to avoid eating out for breakfast.

Want juice? If you have a juicer or want to invest in a juicer, this is the gold standard of juices. When juicing, there are no added sugars, you get an abundance of antioxidants in the fresh fruits and vegetables and this is one of the best ways to help cleanse a sluggish liver. Juicing is also highly recommended for chronically ill individuals suffering from auto-immune disorders and chronic illness such as cancer and heart disease.

Take the time to enjoy your breakfast!