Does Your Breakfast Make You Amazing?

Quaker has a new slogan and I definitely approve!  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and just so happens to be my favorite meal of the day.  A recent study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that children and adolescents who skipped breakfast had a higher body mass index-for-age and a higher waist circumference than those who ate breakfast.
The benefits of breakfast are countless!  According to the Mayo Clinic, adults and children who choose a health breakfast are more likely to:

• Consume more vitamins and minerals
• Eat less fat and cholesterol
• Have better concentration and productivity throughout the morning
• Be more alert
• Have better problem-solving skills
• Miss few days of work/school
• Get more physical activity

AMAZING Breakfast begins with Quaker's New Oatmeal Campaign: "Announcing 3 new ways to start each day in the right direction each ready in just 3 minutes or less.  Mouth watering instant oatmeal varieties for  all ages at an Affordable 37 centers per bowl, there's just no reason to skip out on the most important meal of the day.  New flavors feature Zero trans fat and cholesterol and are low in saturated fat.  Inspired new varieties include flavors like Apple Cranberry Almond for adults and "Banana Slamma" for kids.  In addition, current favorites are Now made with 25% less sugar and a simpler list of ingredients.  Quaker products are Good sources of fiber from heart-healthy whole grains."
Oatmeal, regardless of the brand, has a heart health advantage with a high amount of soluble fiber (helps reduce cholesterol) and insoluble fiber (facilitates digestion).   It is also considered to be a low fat food and is loaded with whole grains as MyPyramid recommends that we eat half of our daily grains as whole grains.  If your oatmeal is made with milk, you will get a bonus serving of calcium and vitamin D as well as other vitamins, minerals and protein....plus it's creamier!  For the non-oatmeal lovers out there...here are some additional breakfast options to help your Breakfast Make You Amazing!

• High Fiber or Whole Grain Cereal with Milk and Fruit
• Grab a Fresh Fruit (the Fastest Breakfast there is!)
• Fruit and Low Fat Greek Yogurt or a Higher Protein Yogurt
• French Toast made with Whole Grain Bread and Cooking Spray
• Homemade English Muffin and Egg Sandwich (If you HAVE to run through fast food...order an egg-english muffin sandwich without cheese)
• Small Bagel with Skim Milk Cheese and Ham Slice or add a Tomato Slice
• Toast with Peanut Butter and Apple Slices
• Fruit and Cottage Cheese
• Omelet with Spinach, Tomato Slices and Feta Cheese
• 1/2 Bagel topped with Goat Cheese and Blueberries
• Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms, Peppers and Parmesan Cheese + Toast
• Heart Healthy Pancakes Topped with Fruit
• Egg and Black Bean Quesedilla
• Homemade Bran Muffin and Banana
• Fruit, Greek Yogurt, Spinach - Blend to Make a Smoothie
• Cream of Wheat made with Milk and add Fruit
• Top a slice of Raisin Toast with Cottage Cheese
• Egg Scramble with Salsa and Soy Sausage
• Breakfast Quesedilla with Goat Cheese and Fruit Slices
• Glass of Milk and a Banana

Those are just a few to get you started.  When in doubt....grab a protein and a carbohydrate to keep you fuller longer.  The National Weight Control Registry has thousands of members who have lost an average of 70 pounds and kept it off for more than 5 years.  Nearly four out of five registry members eat breakfast every day whereas only 4% never eat breakfast!  Breakfast starts your metabolism for the day.  This means that calories start burning early and keep burning all day as long as we continue to fuel the fire.  Ideally, if we consume your calories during the busy waking hours, our body will be able to use them more efficiently and therefore require less food in the evening.  Set your alarm for a wholesome breakfast!
Share your favorite breakfast combinations with us.