When you’re training hard you need to fuel your body with the right ingredients in order to stay fit and healthy with enough energy to power through your workouts. Many debate that that would include starting your day with the right meal which means a healthy breakfast!
Many struggle the most with finding a beneficial breakfast as its often the period of the day where people are most strapped for time, hence why grabbing a quick bowl of cereal or piece of toast is often the alternative to a well-balanced meal. A healthy breakfast can also support you against the struggle of snacking later in the day as you’ll feel fuller for longer!
Remember Breakfast Cereals Are The Enemy!
Although many people fall into the trap of thinking these ‘whole grain, anti-oxidant’ rich cereals are healthy, they’re not! As we all know most cereals are delicious but there is a reason this is so! Most of them are packed with loads of sugar and sodium. Two ingredients no one watching they’re weight should become too familiar with. They also contain a lot of ‘fillers’ so in other words ingredients that fill you up at first but don’t have a sustained release therefore you’re hungry again in no time and grabbing for an unhealthy snack.
Changing your eating patterns can be hard, especially when you’re pressed for time. Slowly swapping certain things in your diet for healthy alternatives can help you to change your routine and eventually you won’t even crave the food you used to not be able to live without!
Start Your Day With Protein
Your muscle have pretty much been fasting over the course of your sleep so replenishing them with protein when you wake up is the smartest choice to keep you going. Whey protein is your best option for doing this as it’s absorbed quickly and digested really fast. If you’re looking for something a bit more bulky and filling try adding oats to your shake to give it a fullness and more breakfast feel!
Gulp a Nutritious Smoothie!
Not all smoothies have to be packed with loads of sugar and fruits, some are healthy and can benefit you long after that last sip! Try this healthy alternative to the regular fruit smoothie:
-1 banana (sliced for easy blending)
-¾ cup of natural yogurt (can be substituted for normal vanilla yogurt for added sweetness)
-1 tbsp of rice malt syrup (or honey for those not watching the sugar intake)
-½ tsp freshly grated ginger
The banana provides you with a great hit of potassium and can improve your energy, whilst the probiotics in yogurt support immune function. Ginger is an amazingly beneficial ingredient as it can aid digestion and help with inflammation.
Eggs, Eggs & More Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins and good fats. Eggs are great because they can be made in so many different ways and have so many benefits! Get rid of the idea of the traditional bacon and eggs with fatty sausage and oily badness, and think new!
Try these alternatives:
-Chuck some ingredients like mushrooms and cherry tomatoes into an omelette for a healthy alternative
-Spinach is a great alternative to bread. Try laying your eggs on a bed of spinach for a great hit of vitamins and anti-oxidants
Get Cultured!
Yogurt is a great breakfast idea and holds so many benefits for your body! It’s a great source of the good bacteria your body needs to stay balanced and is such a versatile base. The probiotics contained in it support immune function! Adding fruit or even a sprinkle of your favourite flavour of protein can jazz up any bowl of yogurt! Fruits like berries can add a great hit of anti-oxidants!
When looking to improve your diet start with the first meal of the day! Waking up and replenishing your body and meeting its nutritional needs is the first step to improving your overall health and fitness! Get rid of the traditional breakfast ideas and kick start with something new and healthy!
Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.
