5 Breakfasts That Encourage Our Brain
We’ve heard a million times: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And indeed, breakfast is very important. Because this first meal activates your metabolism, people who eat breakfast tend to have a healthy body weight. But did you know that breakfast also activates your brain?
There are several studies, such as that of Smith in 2009, that confirm this relationship between breakfast and mental health. Of course, we are talking about a proper breakfast, which is not exactly a bowl full of sugary cereals with empty calories. If you eat the right kind of breakfast, you will be more alert, energetic and mentally sharp during the day.
Protein and whole grains are the keys to a healthy breakfast, so let’s take a look at the best foods to start your day. Here are five breakfasts that boost our brains.
1. Oatmeal
When we sleep at night, we are basically fasting. Hence the word “breakfast”, breaking the fast. When you wake up, your brain needs a supply of sugar. Although a sugary breakfast will spike your blood sugar quickly, you will also experience a drop in glucose a couple of hours later.
Whole grain oatmeal (like all whole grains), on the other hand, is slowly absorbed into the body. Instead of getting a sugar rush, your blood sugar will rise at a slow and steady rate.
2. Eggs
Eggs are a traditional breakfast option, but also the smartest one. They are rich in protein and, since protein takes longer to be digested by our body, one feels satiated for longer.
Egg whites are the ones that mostly contain the purest form of protein around. The high quality of egg protein helps the body absorb it better. But not only that: eggs are also packed with vitamins and minerals.
3. Peanut butter on whole wheat toast
Besides being delicious, this breakfast is a burst of energy. With peanut butter you get the benefits of protein (which makes you feel more satiated than if you had eaten a cake with sugar).
If, in addition, you add a little sliced banana to your toast, you will add even more valuable vitamins, and also potassium, which will help keep your brain oxygenated for clearer thinking.
4. Greek yogurt
Eating yogurt for breakfast is nothing new, but Greek yogurt has gone global more recently. This type of yogurt not only has twice the protein of conventional yogurt, but it is richer and creamier. The extra protein will make you feel more satisfied throughout the morning.
Additionally, Greek yogurt is also lower in carbohydrates. The carbohydrates found in a donut or other type of sweet bread will cause you a sugar crash at the end of the day. And these lows cause us a decrease in alertness.
Add some fruit or almonds to your Greek yogurt to improve the flavor, add healthy fats to your diet, and get more energy, among other benefits.
5. Dinner for breakfast
Why not switch things up and have dinner for breakfast? Certainly, there are no rules that say you can’t. And, if you are bored of eating the same food in the morning every day, eating dinner for breakfast can break your monotony.
Of course, we are not talking about cold pizza or reheated wings. Think better of a baked potato with Greek yogurt sprinkled with chives or a hearty vegetable soup with a little whole grain and crusty bread.
Creativity really has no limits and you can create endless nutritious dishes to help you perform better throughout the day. Consult with your nutritionist and change your diet to feel better!