Do You Break Your Fast?

In other words: Do you break your fast by eating every morning?  Breakfast really is an important meal, and as part of a ritual for preparing to have the best day you possibly can, it’s worth spending some time finding just the right fuel for you! 

So, what do you do?  Are you a 'mad dash out the door with nothing' kind of girl?  Or do you sit and have a full bacon, eggs, toast and juice American breakfast bonanza?   Even though some people can't handle all that food in the morning, everyone should have something!  Here are some great light and healthy options for you to consider:

Green Tea or Hot Water with Lemon - Lots of people enjoy the comforting ritual of a hot steaming mug in the morning!  Green tea, or even just hot water with lemon, are great ways to gently wake up your tummy and you at the same time.  The steam refreshes your face and nasal passages, while the warm liquid washes away the night from your mouth and let's your digestive tract know that more is on it's way!  Green tea also has 'catechins' that help your body rid itself of fat, and that have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.  This stuff is pretty good for you!  It contains caffiene, but far less than in coffee, black tea or even hot chocolate!  You can get decaf varieties if the caffeine is a problem for you.

Toast - How about a little something to calm the hungry acids in your tummy?  Just of piece of whole wheat or grain bread will do wonders in calming the monster that arises just around second period!  Bread does break down easily into sugars, but the more whole grain you can get, the longer it takes to break down...and the longer your body gets energy from it!  Any kind of spread is okay - the less sugar the better to avoid a sugar crash! - and just don't over do it!  Too much of anything is just plain too much!  If you need more, you can add a lightly fried or poached egg to give your breakfast more protein and oomph to get you through to lunchtime! 

Yogurt - This wonder food is full of healthy pro-bacteria (they're the ones you need to be healthy)and a good dose of protein to start off your day.  It even comes in low-fat options, which can also help if you have issues with lactose.  Just stay away from the kinds with lots of sugary flavorings already mixed in!  If you need some flavor, go with mixing in your own fresh berries, fruit, granola or a little bit of honey.  These add more natural sugars that are easier for your body to process, and in far lower concentrations, while also adding some vitamin and mineral kick!

Another thing to consider if a healthy weight is your priority: To keep your body processing (and not storing as fat) the nutrients you taking in, you must get the fires of your digestion burning in the morning.  That way, your body will burn, and not store, the foods you eat all day long and not just from lunchtime on.  When you don't eat, your body thinks a famine has come, and stores up everything it can to help you survive.  Eating regular meals and not starving yourself convinces your body that there is no danger, and allows it to rid itself of unneccesary fat and stay lean and healthy. 

So eat a healthy breakfast, and burn, baby, burn!