The point of this post however, is to share with you something I do feel very passionate about.
Breakfast is a very important part of our day. We “know” this, but yet, do we “know” it? As they say, “To know and not do, is not yet to know”.
Unless you are a Breakky Bestie, like me, then I would URGE you to consider the importance of this meal and just how much of a positive difference to your world this one simple habit, done well and consistently, can make for you. All in the space of 15 minutes in the morning!
Anyway, what I want to discuss in relation to breakfast here, is the lure of all those “rubbish” cereals out there that line the supermarket shelves from floor to ceiling! What prompted this post was the sighting of my mum’s (latest diet) breakfast cereal. A tiny 45g packet that sparked so much PASSION inside of me!
When I looked upon this package, the first thing I noticed was how light and “empty” it felt. Then I noticed the sparkle of the shiny, sugar-laden “nuggets” within. I turned over the packet to glimpse at the Ingredients List (as I do..). “Wheat flour, sugar, malted wheat flour….”
Hmmmmm.......
When I conduct Secrets of the Supermarket shopping tours, I discuss with attendees how to properly discern a product label. One of the most important things I remind them is that the INGREDIENTS LIST is the most important part of the label. It tells you EXACTLY what is in the product, and without giving away the recipe, it indicates in which proportion each ingredient is present. The ingredients listed first are present in the greatest amount within the product, and those last, the least.
Simple, eh?
So many of us overlook this valuable part of the label in favour of the seductive claims about being “high in fibre”, “low in fat” and all manner of other magical promises. Of course there is no mention of the “added sugar”, or “extra processing”, or “added colours, flavours, preservatives”, or the “lost natural vitamins and minerals”…..okay, okay, I will stop there…!
Next, I took a look at the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) of the spoken of cereal. How many sugars per 100g? 22.3g. Interesting. That makes this product approximately 20% sugar. Per “Serve” there is 10g, or approximately 2 teaspoons. Top this with skim milk (as directed), and there is another teaspoon of sugar. So far, 3 teaspoons of the sweet stuff.
Great way to start the day! A delivery of sugar straight into the blood stream, that without accompanying fibre or protein to moderate its release, will lead to a nice little insulin spike. Just the recipe for fat storage, as well as a whole host of immune mediated responses that add to inflammation and ageing.
The intention of this post is not to bag or alarm. It’s just to point out the irony of so much of what drives our food choices, and to pose another approach.
I urge you to look beyond body weight and weight related goals as a driver of your choices. Whilst, in terms of calories the above cereal may seem to fit the bill, when you look at it more closely, what is it really doing for you? At a cellular level, as I mentioned, it is simply just creating aggravation that the cells then have to deal with.
In simplicity, this type of food is TAKING from your cells, rather than GIVING to them!
A key thing to remember is that we are a collection of BILLIONS of cells. Each cell is its own functioning unit, that put together creates a system so intelligent it is beyond true comprehension. If we want to live full, energetic and long healthy lives, it is important to remember that we are not simply one body made up of fat, muscle and bone mass.
We are a large organism made up of a massive collection of cells, and these cells need feeding. They need proper nutrition to deliver back to you the best they can.
So, I urge you, think beyond calories!
Think cell-lories! What are you feeding your cells???
For some brilliant breakfast ideas that encourage healthy, plump, vibrant cells thereby creating a younger and healthier looking and feeling body, try:
• Berries, orange and banana sprinkled with whole oats, cinnamon and topped with a natural yoghurt and a few teaspoons of LSA or ground flaxseeds
• A handful of raw unsalted nuts, a big crunchy apple and a soy latte
• A piece of soy and linseed toast topped with avocado, tomato, and low fat cheese
• Poached eggs served atop wilted baby spinach, sautéed mushies, grilled tomato, capsicum and red onion drizzled with balsamic vinegar
• A warm bowl of porridge (traditional variety, not “quick oats”), topped with a chopped banana, ½ tsp of honey and a teaspoon or 2 of LSA or ground flaxseeds.
Alternatively try warm apple and cinnamon. YUM!
• A small tin of baked beans on a wholegrain English muffin
• Sardines on toast
I say, ditch the cereal boxes and engage your creative side! Break the rules! Who says vegies are for dinner? Look at other cultures and what they eat to greet the day for some great ideas that may spark your inner genius!
Most of all, have fun! Breakfast IS one of the most important meals of the day.
Tell your body it’s time to “wake up”. Break-the-fast and get your metabolism roaring!
Until next time! :) xoxo
BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
www.newleafnutrition.com.au
http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com
Mob 0421332243
Sunshine Coast, QLD
"Your health is everything...Discover your TRUE health potential"
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