Energize the Most Important Meal of the Day

You've heard it said a million times: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Well, the reason you've heard it said so many times is because breakfast is the most important meal of the day—and it's especially important if you are serious about getting in shape.

Eating breakfast each day— a healthy breakfast, that is—provides numerous health benefits unmatched by other meal times. Breakfast can help you get a head start on your day, increasing your alertness and helping you stay focused in class or at work. It can help lower your cholesterol while raising the overall level of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in your diet. It can also help you lose (and control your) weight, as well as give you more strength and energy to boost your exercise efforts.

But if breakfast is so important, why do so many of us skimp on it?

Some of us say we're simply not hungry in the morning and think skipping it frees up some calories to use later. Others of us, unable to come up with anything more creative than, say, cereal or bacon and eggs, might cite a lack of exciting breakfast options. A lack of time is another common excuse. Our lives are (seemingly) so busy that we don't think we have time to put together a healthy, delicious breakfast. Instead, we might grab a cup of coffee and/or juice—and a donut or other quick, unhealthy baked item—and plan to eat our first real meal of the day at lunchtime.

Break Through the Breakfast Blues

Starting off your day with a delicious and nutritious breakfast doesn't have to be a chore—even if you're in a hurry. Jumpstart this healthy habit with some of these 7 quick and tasty breakfast ideas:

• Fill one small, whole wheat pita with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter and serve with a sliced kiwi on the side. (You can also melt a slice of reduced fat cheese on the inside instead and swap out the kiwi for an orange.)
• A tablespoon of peanut butter always goes good on whole-grain waffles. Add some sliced banana, too, if you want.
• Slap two slices of Canadian bacon and two slices of tomato on two slices of rye bread. Or for something a little sweeter, top two slices of whole grain bread with a tablespoon of almond butter and 1/4 cup of dried apricots.
• How about a wrap with turkey, cheese, and carrots? Or maybe peanut butter and sliced strawberries?
• Make a fruit and yogurt parfait with nonfat plain yogurt, sliced fruit, and whole-grain cereal. Or you could mix it up by adding 1/2 cup of blueberries, a tablespoon each of maple syrup and sunflower kernels to the yogurt instead.
• Lowfat string cheese and dried fruit is a tasty pair. As is a low-sugar granola bar and a piece of fruit. Or cottage cheese and sliced fruit or vegetables.
• Top a whole-wheat English muffin or a piece of toast with some fat-free cheese and strawberry slices.
• Going for a hike this weekend? Toss together a batch of trail mix (granola, oats, raisins, peanuts, etc.) to enjoy now—and later. (Just leave out the chocolate.)

In addition to these tasty ideas, DietDirect.com offers a wide selection of low-calorie, high-protein diet breakfast foods. Our portion-controlled breakfast foods provide the perfect balance of protein, carbs and fats for effective weight loss.

We have more than 30 varieties of protein-packed cereals, both hot and cold, nutritionally balanced to promote healthy weight management.

If some of the traditional healthier breakfast options aren't your cup of tea (or coffee) we've got you covered there too. Wake up to our lower-calorie and higher protein than traditional pancakes, and omelette.

‍