Tips for Eating a Healthy Breakfast

It is important to note, however, that not all breakfast foods are created equal. Reaching for a sugary donut, say, is not the same as starting your day off with a bowl of cozy poha or a plate of protein-packed tomato omelette.

Ensuring that your first meal has a balanced amount of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and is rich in vitamins and minerals may seem overwhelming, but the practice is actually quite simple:

1. Opt for whole grains over refined flours – They retain more fiber, protein and nutrients than all purpose varieties.
2. Choose fruits and/or veggies with lots of color – The natural colors of foods demonstrate different phytonutrients. For example, orange foods like carrots or sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, while purple and blue foods are loaded with anthocyanins. Try and eat the rainbow!
3. Stay away from excessive amounts of sugar and sodium – this is so much easier when you make your own meals! Processed foods are loaded with sugar, salt and unhealthy fats as a way to hook us, not to mention the artificial preservatives and colors they add.

Don’t feel tied to eating “typical” breakfast foods either – there are plenty of egg free, dairy free and grain free options to choose from!