The Most Important Meal of the Day

We have all heard the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is true that breakfast help to get sugar in your bloodstream and perks you up. Nutritionalists also say that eating 5 meals a day help to keep your body in shape, so eating a good breakfast not only gets you going, but also helps with your eating patterns.

A healthy breakfast can also help you when competing later in the day. Eating breakfast, a light mid-morning snack, a sensible lunch followed by a mid-afternoon snack can keep you energized for your athletic game later that night. It will especially help if won’t have an opportunity to much down dinner before the start of your game.

I hear you yelling now, “But it take a lot to make breakfast every morning, and I just don’t have the time!”

Well, here are a few simple breakfast ideas for those on the run:

1. Fruit smoothies – Easy, quick and nutritious. The simplest way to make a fruit smoothie is to put frozen fruit, yogurt and milk into a blender and whip it up. Prepare, mix and put it in your favorite to go cup and you have yourself a healthy breakfast in a matter of minutes. Fresh berries can be substituted for frozen, but I have found frozen berries to make a better, and cheaper, smoothie. Try different ingredients and amounts until you find the perfect mixture for you.

2. Yogurt – nothing is quicker than peeling a lid off a yogurt and running out the door. Buying in bulk saves money but the individual serving sizes are more convenient.

3. Cereal – … and fruity, sugary, marshmallowy kinds don’t count. Find a raisin bran or other high fiber cereal of your liking and pour your favorite milk over it and you are good to go. Not as portable as the others, but if you have a fridge accessible to you at work, you can buy milk and cereal and eat at your desk first thing in the morning. Try putting fresh fruit on top for more flavor and health benefits.

4. Toast or English muffin – Top your favorite starch with peanut butter, hummus or your favorite spread and hit the road running. Pair it with a handheld fruit (apple, orange, pear) and you have yourself a quick and easy start to the day.

5. Breakfast sandwich – If you have leftovers from the night before put it between two slices of bread and you have yourself a nice breakfast. Turkey, chicken and meat add protein to your sandwich.

6. “Diner Breakfast” – If time isn’t one fo your concerns then make yourself a full breakfast with eggs, toast and some protein. Try staying away from greasy or fattening foods like bacon and sausage everyday, but every once and a while allow yourself to indulge.

Regardless of how much time you have each morning to prepare and eat breakfast, make sure you allot those extra few minutes to having this essential meal. Even if it means hitting the snooze button one fewer times, your body will thank you, and so will your teammates when they see your improved performance.

Do you have a favorite quick breakfast idea? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First