Healthy Breakfast Ideas

So it’s a new year and it’s time to take stock, clean out the pantry and start fresh after all those tasty Christmas meals. If you’re like me, chances are that one of your New Year’s Resolutions involves getting fit.

Pin It

Low-fat muesli, with fruit and low-fat yoghurt

Obviously exercise helps – even just a brisk half hour walk at least 3 times a week. But it’s also important to get back to healthy eating habits after all those Christmas desserts.

If you’re one of those people that skips breakfast, it’s time to change that bad habit. Breakfast is important to help your body get back on track. In fact, skipping it doesn’t actually help you to move any of that festive season excess.

Besides that, a lot of studies have found that having breakfast actually helps with energy and concentration. It’s always difficult to keep your mind on track if your stomach is rumbling. A Japanese study published in Nutrition in 2008 found that medical students who missed breakfast suffered from fatigue. If you think you don’t have time for breakfast, try waking up half an hour earlier to fit it in. Or if you’re really dashing out the door, grab a piece of fruit like a banana and a museli bar on your way out.

For those who are serious about getting a nutritious start to the day, get yourself some low-fat muesli, yoghurt and cut up some fresh summer fruit to put over the top. Fresh cherries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes banana and apple will all add delicious flavour to your museli.

Or if you’re in a rush, why not make a smoothie? Throw a banana (and/or a handful of strawberries or raspberries) in the blender with a couple of tablespoons of bran or oatmeal, low-fat milk and/or yoghurt, honey and cinnamon or nutmeg – and voila! Breakfast in a glass. The combinations are endless

Whole-grain toast is also a quick option, topped with slices of banana (do you see a pattern here?)

I guess the point with eating a healthy breakfast is getting a balance of cereals, grains and fruit to get you through the first part of the day. Skimping on these things mean your rumbling belly will be pestering you all morning and you’ll probably overeat at the next meal. So take the time to give yourself a healthy start to the day – and set the tone for 2012.