Are you eating a healthy breakfast?
There are so many questions surrounding breakfast. What to eat, what not to eat and whether to even eat breakfast at all. For me, breakfast is hands down my favourite meal of the day. If I am following an intermittent fasting schedule then it will be dinner that is skipped and definitely not breakfast. For some breakfast is an additional task to complete in the morning as they tend to their tasks and rush out the door, for others they are eating the foods they enjoy as their morning treat. Eating the right breakfast however, can really change how you feel for the entire day. It can help women balance their hormones, their mood and their energy levels and that is why in my clinic I always start with breakfast.
Ayurveda explains that breakfast is the first meal of the time one that provides us with energy following on from our overnight fast. Breakfast should be digestible and full of nutrients. Over the years I have seen the cereal boxes and juice be replaced with pastries and coffee. Sometimes it maybe porridge or toast. However 9 times out of 10, women are simply not eating the right foods to fuel them for the rest of the day. So here are some of my tips for eating a healthy breakfast to support you throughout the day.
Are you hungry? - so this is the most important question to ask your self, are you actually hungry? Some women think they are not hungry when they are and others and eating even though they don’t quite need to. I see ladies who are pitta/kapha constitutions are often missing breakfast when they need to eat more. Whilst Vata ladies are not often not eating enough.
Plan 5 breakfasts for the week - time is often the culprit as to why so many busy women forgo breakfast. Having to add something to their morning that is about them is not really a priority. So plan ahead. Shop for ingredients and have your 5 breakfast ready to go.
Proteins - we are eating such a carbohydrate heavy diet which for many of us is not adequately balanced with fats and proteins. We need proteins not only for muscle growth, but it supports cellular metabolism and enzyme activities throughout the body. Low protein diets can leave your hormones imbalanced, poor hair, skin, lethargy and disrupted sleep. For vegetarians I suggest tofu, chickpea pancakes, seeds and nuts to add to their protein intake.
Healthy fats - fats are important for hormone production as well as cellular function. The culprit is often not the fat but how it has been stored, prepared and the quality of the fat. Vata imbalances enjoy adding fats to their diet, it feels like an inner hug when the choose warm fats like ghee.
Spice it up - I love using spices for my meals and at breakfast the flavour of my porridge or dish can be transformed simply by my choice of spices. They also support digestion and a healthy gut microbiome.
Drink your tea and coffee away from meals - after all that effort in preparing a nutritious breakfast the last thing you want to do is bind it to tannins and eliminate it through your gut. Tea and coffee contain compounds that do just that so best to enjoy aware from meals!
Let me know what you have for breakfast.