The world may be split into morning people and those who are not – but regardless of how much of a morning person you are (or not), the importance of a good breakfast remains the common denominator for all. Just how important is breakfast, though? It is almost common knowledge that skipping breakfast tends to lead to overeating later in the day. As the very first meal of the day after a night of sleep and rest, breakfast is literally the breaking of the night’s fast. The food you eat at breakfast therefore is what jump-starts your body and provides it with the fuel it needs for the day, after a night of inactivity.
As an accompaniment to your breakfast for champions, Cheryl W’s range of wellness drinks are perfect pairings, both in taste and function. For that boost of strength, we recommend the Rooibos and Lingzhi tea from our Strength range. The morning is also the best time for your body to absorb nutrients, so the Mango Collagen tea from our Radiant range is a great way to give your body a generous dose of collagen which will help keep your skin supple and beautiful.
We now present to you 5 awesome breakfast ideas that will help you conquer the world!
1) Protein
Breakfast options high in protein will keep you full for longer. Because proteins are more complex than other foods, it takes a longer time for the body to digest and break down. Foods high in protein are also good in the morning as the body needs to replenish its stores from the night’s sleep. Some protein-rich breakfast favourites include eggs done however you please, nut butters spread on toast, cheese, meats like cold cuts, chicken breast and smoked salmon, and even fruit like avocados. Moreover, people who eat at least 35g of protein for breakfast daily report that they actually ate less throughout the day. There are certainly many ways to get protein onto your breakfast plate, so remember to have fun with it as you go along!
2) Whole grains
Eating whole grains is often recommended when people talk about eating a healthy diet. It is a much healthier option as compared to refined grains simply because whole grain foods are less processed, hence leaving more nutrients intact. As an added bonus, more protein is left intact in the whole grain too, helping you remain full for a longer time! It is actually pretty easy to make it a part of your breakfast platter. Love bread? Choose to have it whole wheat. Want some pancakes? Use whole wheat flour to make them. Have a yearning for some cereal? Buy them by the box as usual from your favourite supermarkets, just look out for “whole grain” options 😉
3) Fruits
If you fancy something sweet in the morning to get your engine ready and roaring to go, you should consider laying off the processed sugar and add fruit to your breakfast instead. Loaded with natural fruit sugars, fruits are a great way to sweeten your breakfast. Chop up some strawberries or blueberries and add them to your plain cereal, oatmeal or pancakes. Bake some whole wheat muffins and sweeten with ripe bananas. Make a breakfast smoothie with your favourite fruits and blitz it up with milk. Have some ripe avocado on buttered toast for a protein boost. Or, just have them as is!
4) Oatmeal
Oatmeal is arguably the star breakfast food of champions! Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, which help to stabilise blood glucose levels, reduce bad cholesterol levels and improves your intestinal health by preventing constipation. Oatmeal is also nutrient packed, containing thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron. While oatmeal may seem boring, it is actually a great base for many interesting additions. You can make overnight oats with chia seeds, fruits like banana, berries, dragonfruit or kiwi fruit, or cocoa powder. Nut butters, honey, maple, yoghurt – mix these all in for healthy and wholesome flavour to your oat cup. Simply soak the oats in some milk in a cup with a lid, add the chia seeds or fruit and leave the mixture overnight in the fridge with the lid on.
5) Yoghurt
This choice may seem strange given that many people eat this as a dessert. But yoghurt is actually often overlooked as a great breakfast option. They are a wonderful blend of protein and carbohydrates, and rich in essential minerals and nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and B12. If eating it as is isn’t your thing, you can make a fruit parfait, smoothie, or add it into your overnight oats. For the healthiest choice, opt for a low-fat plain Greek version, and sweeten with fruits or natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Add some muesli, granola or nuts for some crunch and you have a perfect breakfast that is refreshing and tasty!