Is Breakfast A Struggle? Still Hungry?

Many online articles and posts about healthy living share one thing in common; "Never Skip Breakfast".

It seems to be the first step towards a healthier life, so it's the first thing you try. You decide to get up earlier and prepare a "healthier" breakfast before work or school but still feel ravenous an hour later, much to your disappointment! Why?! Whey?!

Here's why...

You Could Be Eating The Wrong Thing
Your breakfast should generally always be healthy balance of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates. Especially if this is all new to you and you have yet to learn which foods make you feel more energised than others.

Some have insane energy after a few whole scrambled eggs and veggies whereas some need a warm bowl of oats along with those eggs.

If healthy eating is new to you, you want to have a balance of all the macronutrients (carbs, protein and fats)

The most common mistake I see with breakfast choices is choosing ‘breakfast’ packaged foods. Most quick breakfast options like  breakfast muffins, cereals, smoothies and granola bars are highly processed and full of sugar and tend to just be a carb source, missing out on the needed protein and healthy fats.

If you start your day with sugar, it won't be long until the body cries out for MORE sugar.

Are You Eating Enough?

A small bowl of fruit will not be enough to get you through to your mid-morning snack or lunch meal. You'll find a quick burst of energy before an equally as quick energy crash. Your body has been fasting, resting and recovering all night, breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day to fill up on nutrients for the day ahead, to keep the fire burning,  it is so important that you are filling up on the right foods. 
Processed breakfast cereals can cause a huge dip in blood sugar levels just a couple of hours after eating.You are more likely to crave more unhealthy high sugary foods throughout the day, which is your body calling for more cheap and quick energy. 

If you're not yet able for a bigger breakfast, it's ok to begin with a light but smart breakfast and then it's completely cool to have a snack before lunch! A snack with the right balance of protein and fats or carbs  will  keep you satisfied until your next meal and avoid the dreaded blood sugar drop which in turn leads to yucky cravings. 

If you're not yet able to stomach a bigger breakfast early in the morning, have a quick smoothie or if you really cannot get out of bed, prepare the fresh shake the night before and take it on the go! 

TIP: Re-blend with a few ice cubes the next morning to freshen it up as the oats will absorb the fluid overnight.

Here's a quick tasty favourite:

Ingredients

30g old fashioned oats, soaked overnight in ½ cup water, refrigerated

10 raw nuts, hazelnuts or walnuts are good here

20g chocolate or vanilla protein powder

1 small ripe banana

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 

2 tbsp 0% fat plain Greek yoghurt

1 tbsp cacao powder (optional)

4 ice cubes (if preparing fresh in morning)

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy. 

Love, Lisa xx