At POW8R, we are passionate about encouraging all of our clients to lead an active and health-conscious lifestyle. In addition to ensuring that you are meeting your physical needs, it is important that you build healthy habits around any exercise routine that you have.
A big mistake that we see some of our clients make is skipping breakfast, either because of their schedule or to save calories. At POW8R, we recognise the importance of your first meal of the day for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of having breakfast and how you can introduce having a nutritious breakfast as part of your routine.
Busting The Breakfast Myth
There is a myth that skipping breakfast is a great way to reduce calorie intake and aid fat loss. This is actually far from the truth, as eating a nutritious morning meal can actually help your weight loss and fitness journey.
Breakfast can help you start the day off right, but regulating your blood sugar levels and providing sustained energy can actually aid you in your fitness routine, providing you with the fuel to push yourself.
If you are pregnant or postpartum and seeking to adopt a healthier, more fitness-oriented lifestyle, it is essential to include breakfast in your routine. This will help you achieve the best results while taking care of yourself.
At POW8R, not only do we provide tips for building the perfect postpartum diet plan, but we also create diet plans which help our clients learn about healthy breakfast foods for pregnancy.
Ultimately, the myth that breakfast is bad for you is something that we need to work towards dismissing, particularly within those that are looking to start physical activity as part of their morning routine.
Why is Breakfast Beneficial and Healthy?
Of course, if you only eat high-calorie breakfast foods in the morning, your breakfast will not exactly be healthy or beneficial. However, breakfast can be incredibly beneficial if you are eating the right food.
Some of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast include;
Improved Cognitive Function
Living a healthy lifestyle is about more than having a healthy body; a healthy mind is just as, if not more, important than having a healthy body. A healthy mind allows you to make better decisions and take a healthier approach to your daily routine.
Eating a healthy breakfast can enhance cognitive functioning, memory, focus, and concentration. This is because breakfast provides your brain with glucose, which allows it to function optimally.
Provides Energy
If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle and exercise as much as possible, you need to eat breakfast. Breakfast replenishes your body’s energy stores, providing the fuel necessary for your body to function after a night of fasting.
Without the proper fuel, your body will not be able to perform at its maximum capacity. By having this fuel to burn, you can push your body and perform well in your exercises, supporting weight loss.
Stabilises Blood Pressure
If you skip breakfast, you are not giving your body the chance to replenish essential nutrients that you need to get through the day.
Eating breakfast regulates your blood sugar levels by reintroducing glucose into your system, which is fantastic for improving insulin sensitivity or reducing hypertension.
Putting Your Health First
With all of the benefits discussed above, it can be hard to deny that eating breakfast can be incredibly beneficial for your health and fitness journey.
We know that it can be difficult to plan and maintain healthy meal plans, so we include nutritious meal plans as a part of our membership to ensure that all of our clients have the guidance to make the right decisions for their health.
Our members have access to over 600 delicious, healthy meal ideas and recipes, allowing them to eat sustainably beyond the usual chicken and rice meal. Take a look at our membership options if you’re searching for the ideal breakfast recipe to support your fitness journey.
Top Breakfast Picks for Improving Energy and Performance
If we have managed to convert you and you are now considering introducing a healthy breakfast to your daily routine, you might not know where to start. The first thing we will say is to put down the unhealthy cereal and introduce any of the following to your breakfast.
Sources of Protein
You need to introduce protein to your breakfast. Protein is the king of breakfast, keeping you full for longer and aiding in muscle recovery and fat loss. In order to feel fulfilled from your breakfast, it is recommended that you aim for around 30 grams of protein for breakfast.
Some foods that you can easily include in your breakfast to reach your protein goals include:
- Eggs (boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs)
- Greek Yogurt
- Protein Oats
- Smoothies (can be made with frozen fruits for simplicity)
- Lean Meats
Incorporating any of the options mentioned above into your routine can effectively help you consume protein effortlessly and sustainably.
Slow Burning Carbs
Something that you want to avoid at breakfast is triggering a sugar crash. Eating slow-burning carbs can help provide sustained energy, keeping your body and brain power for the day and controlling your blood sugar.
Some slow-burning carbs that you can introduce to your breakfast include:
- Oats
- Wholegrain Toast
- Berries
- Bananas
By enjoying these foods as a part of your breakfast routine, you are setting yourself up for success and fueling your body in a sustainable way.
Healthy Fats
People tend to overlook the fact that it’s not fats that cause weight gain but rather consuming too many calories. Healthy fats are beneficial for hormone regulation and brain health, and they help you feel satisfied until lunchtime.
When people read the word fats, they instinctively want to avoid anything that may be fatty, but healthy fats can ensure that you do not overeat through snacking throughout the day.
Some healthy fats that you can include in your breakfast include:
- Avocado
- Nut Butters (eg. almond or peanut butter)
- Chia Seeds
Not only are these potential additions to your breakfast delicious, but they can help to boost your health substantially.
Boosting Your Breakfast
Often, tiny ingredients yield significant advantages. These elements enhance digestion, immunity, and overall health wellness. These extra ingredients can add extra health benefits and are easy to include in your meal.
Some additional ingredients that you should consider include:
- Flaxseed
- Cinnamon
- Leafy Greens
- Lemon
Adding small ingredients can push your breakfast further and benefit your body substantially.
Make Breakfast Work for You
If you do not eat breakfast and breakfast has never been a part of your schedule, the idea of incorporating it into your daily routine may seem intimidating.
While we suggest specific food items for your breakfast, you are free to incorporate them into your routine however you like. As long as you maintain healthy and sustainable eating habits, there’s no strict formula for starting your journey towards healthier breakfast choices.
Our Tips For Maintaining Healthy Breakfast Habits
If you want to start habits that you can stick to, you need to employ methods that will allow you to sustain your new healthy habits.
Prep the Night Before
A common way people ensure that they can sustain healthy habits is through prep. If you prep a week’s worth of breakfasts on a Sunday night, you can then enjoy them, hassle-free over the coming days.
If you are someone who has a busy lifestyle, the idea of having to prepare a full breakfast in the morning might be offputting, so avoid it entirely by taking care of the hard work the night before.
Grab-and-Go Options
We understand that not everyone has the time to prepare a full breakfast in the morning, but some people have such busy schedules that even finding time to meal prep can be challenging.
If you can relate to this but still want to lead a healthy lifestyle, we would recommend getting a grab-and-go option ready. In most major supermarkets, you can find an affordable option that is prepared and ready to take with you on your commute to work.
Places like Aldi and ASDA offer some great protein-rich, low-calorie options, making it easier than ever to live a healthier lifestyle.
Invest Time in Your Health
We know that life can be hectic, and it can be tempting to choose that extra 20 minutes in bed over eating breakfast. However, it is important to note that you only have one body and that body needs fuel in order to function properly , especially if you lead an active lifestyle.
Though making breakfast may seem like a waste of time, that is far from the truth. You are actually investing that time into your health and ensuring that your body is getting the fuel it needs to function properly.
Spend time eating properly and exercising regularly now, and you will reap the benefits for years to come.
Change Your Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle with POW8R
If you want to move more and eat better, we would strongly recommend the POW8R app and becoming a member. With the app, you have endless resources at your fingertips, providing you with the knowledge you need to live a healthier and happier life.
At POW8R, we are passionate about making a healthier lifestyle more accessible and sustainable for all of our clients. Want to learn more about how we aim to achieve that? Find out how through our app.