ConAgra Foods®

Improve Your Day with a Balanced Breakfast

Are your mornings a struggle? Do you find yourself sluggish and unfocused? Don't worry you're not alone. You may be surprised to know these symptoms could just be a result of missing breakfast. In the morning your blood sugar levels are low and need replenishing. If you try to carryout daily activities in this condition, you'll likely end up irritable and unable to concentrate. Not the best way to start your day.

So why do nearly one third of Canadian adults skip this valuable meal? I'm sure you would agree that finding time to prepare a well-balanced breakfast seems near impossible. But given five minutes, I bet I could change your mind. The Egg Beaters 5-day breakfast plan offers simple ideas for a wholesome, low-fat breakfast in just five minutes. With as much protein as eggs, but none of the fat or cholesterol, it's the perfect way to get that lasting satisfaction you need to glide through your morning.

Are you wondering how food consumption influences your brain? Well, blood sugar is the main energy source for your brain and keeping it level allows you to perform daily activities at your best. A good breakfast has been linked to higher productivity, better problem solving skills and a more positive attitude. Properly refueling your body in the morning will keep you satisfied longer and lead to better food choices throughout the day.

If you skip breakfast your blood sugar will continue to drop, causing your hunger to turn ravenous. Soon your stomach will be screaming for attention, making you reach for a quick fix, like a muffin or a donut. Unfortunately, this type of snack creates a spike in blood sugar, but can leave you feeling tired and hungry shortly after.

This doesn't mean that you can eat a chocolate bar for breakfast and expect a good morning. A breakfast mainly of sugar and carbohydrates will give you a rush of energy that diminishes just as quickly as it came. A balanced breakfast of complex carbohydrates, protein and fat takes longer for your body to process, gradually releasing energy. It will keep your brain charged and your stomach feeling full until lunchtime. In particular, a high protein breakfast has been shown to control hunger better than a high carbohydrate meal.

So go on, take 5 minutes and start a healthier lifestyle?
Download 5-day, 5-minute breakfast plan

Sources:
Breakfast: The Right Start Every Day - American Dietetic Association
Breakfast: An Energizing Start to Your Day - American Dietetic Association
Healthy Eating at Work - Region of Peel Health Services
Breakfast Foods and Satiety - Institute of Food Technologies