Is Breakfast A Necessity?
One day I was in class and found I was falling asleep in my hardest class, which was accounting. My energy was lacking and I hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast that morning. But is breakfast truly that important? As a busy college student, I found that the importance of breakfast can be lost in the commotion and that it’s easier to run out the door either without eating anything at all or grabbing an unhealthy snack on the way out. Even though I prefer the convenience of running out the door without eating, I found that my energy was lacking throughout the day when I wouldn’t eat a good breakfast. I would feel sluggish, have brain fog, and get low blood sugar later in the day. It was time to bring back my energy ASAP. I had to ask myself (and the internet of course) the following: is breakfast necessary and what is a healthy breakfast?
I started to research the importance of breakfast. Research done by PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) showed that people who regularly skipped breakfast were more likely to have low energy and atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries) which can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. People who had high energy breakfasts were less likely to experience cardiovascular issues or low energy. Learning that was the motivation for me to take my health into my own hands and learn how to jumpstart my day with a healthy breakfast.
In the beginning of my breakfast journey, I tried eating “healthy cereal” or Larabars because it was quick and easy. Both items were marketed as “healthy” but I continued to experience fatigue. That’s when I realized I needed to begin my day with high protein breakfasts with little to no refined sugars. High protein breakfasts help to keep your blood sugar low for up to four hours, and keeps you from that afternoon crash. One of my favorite healthy breakfast meals are scrambled eggs, half an avocado, a sliced apple, and an energy drink.
The need for low refined sugars also means that you shouldn’t be drinking heavy sugary coffees with your morning breakfast, which is why 50Cups tea is my drink of choice to keep my blood sugar regulated and energy high. Matcha, English breakfast, and refresher teas are my personal favorite blends to drink first thing in the morning. Matcha and English breakfast contain caffeine, but the refresher energizes me through hydration and natural herbs and fruits. With the change in my breakfast habits and healthier morning beverages, I found my energy come to life again. So, eat healthy and drink healthy.
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