It’s safe to say that our mornings predict the nature of the rest of the day we are about to spend, which is why we must be conscious about how we start it off. One of the major things that we tend to pay less attention to is our breakfast routine.
Breakfast is a big part of how our body and mind will fuel us for the rest of the day. Maintaining a balanced breakfast routine has multiple benefits that include better metabolism and hunger management, plus we all know breakfast doesn’t have to be a boring meal.
Yes, that’s right, in this article, we will present cereal hacks for healthier breakfast bowls to make your mornings much tastier.
Why You Should Never Skip Breakfast
The main reason why breakfast is the most important meal of the day is that you are feeding your body after a fast of eight to ten hours. Breakfast refills the energy and nutrients you need in your body to function for the rest of the day.
Plus, if you choose to eat a low calorie cereal for breakfast that has adequate nutritional value, you are a winner. Here are reasons why you should never skip breakfast ever again.
Energy Levels
Glucose is the prime source of energy in our body. Our bodies are known to store most of our energy as fat from the food we consume. It also stores glucose in the liver, distributing smaller amounts all across our muscles.
When we fast or don’t eat anything for long hours such as overnight, our liver assimilates the glucose and gradually starts to release it into our bloodstream. This is what keeps our blood sugar levels stable. This particular system of glucose is transformed into energy enabling our brain to function the way it does.
Now how does breakfast help in this entire process? If you have ever observed how you feel in the mornings after waking up from not eating anything for over ten hours, your glucose levels are relatively low. This is where a healthy breakfast plays a huge role in replenishing our energy levels for the rest of the day.
Here’s a fact: people who eat breakfast regularly are more active during the day compared to people who skip it.
Nutritional Benefits
Breakfast items are usually packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. People who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to consume their daily intake of vitamins and minerals than non-breakfast eaters.
Please note that essential vitamins and minerals requirements are only met from healthy food, and not just any breakfast item. So, it’s important to have a diet that ensures your vitality too.
Weight Check
Breakfast boosts your metabolism. Regular breakfast eaters are more likely to maintain a balanced weight than people who do not eat breakfast. This is because it controls your blood glucose levels, which keeps your appetite in check.
You will no longer be grabbing food on the go when hunger strikes. Your body will not demand high fat or sugary foods if you fulfill your dietary requirements by eating a healthy breakfast every day.
Why Should You Make Better Food Choices?
Consuming breakfast regularly means that you have an overall healthy diet. It also means that you have good eating habits, provided you are not eating burgers or fried items for breakfast.
If children, especially, develop the habit of eating unhealthy meals for breakfast, they will more likely to make bad food choices in the future, even during adult life.
Did you know that skipping breakfast makes you super hungry throughout the day, and in fact is one of the triggering reasons for nibbling on unhealthy snacks?
There is a saying that you should eat breakfast like a king. This means having larger portions of “healthy” food, and not making poor breakfast choices. Breakfast options should always include fruit, yogurt, protein-rich cereals, and fiber to keep you going until lunch.
For example, grabbing a bagel or a muffin on the go may keep your sugar levels stable to start your morning with a bang, but it will surely make you uncomfortable within a few hours. You need to make sure that your breakfast plate has a combination of nutrients that support each other.
This brings us to eight delicious, healthy breakfast recipes that you can make with cereals easily. They are packed with nourishments and will keep you filled up for hours. Let’s get started.
1. Protein-enriched Mornings
Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast choice. It has ample fiber to keep your cholesterol levels stable. You can enjoy it with cottage cheese, eggs, Greek yogurt, or nut butter and seeds to transform it into a protein-packed meal. The extra protein from yogurt, nuts, and eggs will keep your tummy full for hours. Plus, if you are at work, you won’t feel lethargic by 10:00 a.m. and hunt for snacks to munch on.
Well if it still does, you could always have a mid-morning fruit.
2. Savory Cereal Bowl
Time to say goodbye to the bacon and egg sandwich. You can easily enjoy a similar but healthier meal without having to sacrifice the taste. Add ¼ cup of cheese (your favorite kind) to a bowl of cooked oatmeal. Throw in an egg, just the way you like it, and garnish with pepper and hot sauce. Voila! It’s the best way to enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast packed with protein and fiber. Yum.
3. Add Fruit to Sweeten It Up
Add a splash of color to your cereal bowl with fresh seasonal fruits. It is the best source of natural sugar, especially for morning meals. You have the rest of the day to burn the sugar calories.
Just cut up whatever fruit you have at home, fresh or frozen—bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mango, peach, kiwi, etc. for the sweet fix. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and a few drops of vanilla. You’ll be surprised at the bursting flavors after tasting the first spoonful. You’ll never start your day any other way, we promise.
This is also a great snack in case you feel hungry between lunch and dinner. You can make yourself an extra bowl and take it to work to satisfy your late afternoon hunger.
4. Cook It Overnight
Overnight cooked cereal bowls are trending now and for the right reasons. The main reason we skip breakfast is due to our morning rush. People find it difficult to manage time in the morning to fix up a hot meal for breakfast. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Exactly why you should choose to cook your cereal-based breakfast overnight.
Simply cook your choice of cereal overnight in a slow cooker with apples and cinnamon. If you have time at night, you can even stir it around a few times for the grain to grow and double in portion.
Now you have the healthiest prepared meal the following morning before heading out of the house.
5. Switch Between Grains
It’s not unusual to get bored of eating the same meal every day. Here’s an idea—how about buying different cereal packs for different days of the week to maintain a healthy relationship between you and your cereal bowl?
Switch between buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum, barley, etc. Did you know that you can replace your unhealthy breakfast choices with Cheerios for a healthy, low-carb diet too? All these grain-based cereals can be prepared in the same ways we have mentioned above, but all have different textures and tastes. After all, change is the only constant.
6. Texturize Away
Speaking of different textures, you could add in various items to enhance the nutritional value of your cereal bowl, as well as add texture to your meal. Add crunchy nuts, honey, chia seeds, etc. if you like your breakfast to be sweet.
For savory lovers, you can add shredded chicken and crunchy salad toppings, then drizzle yogurt and sesame oil with toasted seeds to create the perfect texture.
The best thing about choosing cereal for breakfast is that you can use it as a base to create your choice of the dish with additional toppings, whether sweet or savory.
If you like a silky smooth textured cereal bowl, adding Greek yogurt does the trick. What a perfectly balanced meal full of fiber and protein!
Conclusion
Lastly, let’s agree that all breakfast cereals don’t qualify as healthy. Having said that, you still have plenty of options to keep it healthy. The starting point should be the list of ingredients and portion size on the packages. Read them carefully and use your own judgment. Try to avoid excess sugar and processed options.
Make sure you pick a few options to keep it interesting between you and your cereal bowls. With our list of cereal hacks for a healthy breakfast bowl, let’s hope you’ll never skip breakfast ever again.