QandAs: Food

What are some Healthy Breakfasts?

Answer:
The oft-repeated advice that breakfast is the most important meal of the day

is no myth or exaggeration. In terms of nutrition and metabolism, a healthy breakfast stokes the fire which sustains a person's energy level throughout the rest of the day. Skipping breakfast entirely or simply grabbing a sugary pastry and a cup of coffee is never a good idea for overall health.

For many of us, breakfast is either a meal heavy in carbohydrates or a meal heavy in proteins. Both plans can be healthy if kept proportional and the right ingredients are used. Instead of having a sugar-filled doughnut, for example, a lower carb food such as an English muffin or a low carb flour tortilla would work as a substitute.

A traditional waffle or pancake drenched in syrup and butter can be replaced with a whole grain equivalent and a low sugar or sugar-free syrup. Pancake batters using whole grains such as buckwheat and fiber-laden nuts such as pecans are considered healthier alternatives to processed pastries made with refined sugar and white flour.

A breakfast high in proteins can also be made healthier. Switching from pork bacon or sausage to a turkey equivalent can shave a number of calories and levels of saturated fats. Using egg substitutes or just the egg whites when making omelettes can reduce the amount of cholesterol found in a traditional egg breakfast.

Real eggs are not necessarily unhealthy, but they should not be eaten every day or fried in saturated oil. Leaner meats such as ham may also be healthier than bacon, and some dieters have been known to prepare fish filets or fish steaks as a healthier meat selection.

Avoiding high carb or high protein foods altogether is another healthy breakfast choice. Fresh fruits and juices can provide ample energy without the need for additional sweeteners or processed ingredients. Sectioned grapefruit is also a healthy breakfast choice, as well as a fruit compote with a blend of berries or sliced fruits. Bananas and fruit juice can also form the basis of a very healthy fruit smoothie, especially when a protein powder or powdered vitamin supplement is added.