Why to L.O.V.E Breakfast

If you asked me to chose any food that I wouldn't mind eating for the rest of my life, I'd probably say eggs, in all seriousness. I don't sware by eggs just because I am into all the awesome nutritional properties they bring to my diet, I love em' because they taste fricking amazing, and can be made in different variations -- you got your classic scrambled, the sunny side up egg, my favorite fried egg, and poached for those high class mornings ! I also rank eggs as my number one choice because they just so happen to be an option for my favorite meal of the day . . . BREAKFAST, BABY!

So, here is a quick little read about why I chose to start my morning in the BEST way possible, and why you should too !

Or don't . . . it's your choice really !

Let us say you've been fasting for about 12 hours (from dinner time the night before to the moment your whole body turns on in the morning), in reality this twelve hour time period is quite awhile to not have any intake of food, but is necessary in order to allow your body time to rest, and digest all the foods you would have eaten for dinner, or dessert ! So yes, there are some people who wake up with a black hole as their stomach after this long fasting period (Me), and then there are others who get nauseous at the idea of eating so early in the morning, either which way no matter how you're feeling -- breakfast is definitely necessary, it just depends how much your body needs and when.

So listen here, if you really want to tune into what your body needs to start the day, & you may just be sitting on the couch one morning watching Shameless and eating this dope open faced avocado breakfast sandwich pictured above ! YUMMY :)

Ideally, every meal and snack throughout your day should be an equal portion of carbohydrates, protein, and fats (plus some vegetables when you find time to sneak them in there . . . they can never do any harm) BUT no matter how big or small of a meal you are eating in the morning, whether it be before class, an exam, or a workout, you always need a little somethin' to give your body a head start. It is recommended to eat breakfast within 1 hour of waking up, this gives your body a nice little wake up call saying "hello, here is what you've been missing and damn it sure is good !" and simultaneously signaling your digestive system to start kicking into gear with all its fancy dancy hormones and enzymes.

So think of it like this, when you fuel your body with what it needs (aka a bomb ass breakfast), it becomes better each and everyday at burning your meal for fuel , aka your metabolism! Wow, what a neat concept . . . Just by eating food within 1 hour of waking up in the morning, you literally allow your body to burn calories more efficiently than if you would have deprived yourself of these vital nutrients all morning long. Looks to me like your body is doing you a huge favor . . . of course when you help it out a little bit.

Here are some ideas for the breakfast lovers and haters alike:

(you know who you are)

Breakfast Eater Types:

THE ABSOLUTE LOVER: this person will eat breakfast for every meal if possible

THE COMPROMISER: this person will eat it if it's in front of them or requires zero skill

THE HATER: this person rather just fast forward to lunchtime

Options for each type:

1. THE ABSOLUTE LOVER: You probably have your own vision of what your ideal breakfast always consists of but here is some fun alternatives for when you just don't know what else to make:

-2 rice cakes + PB / almond butter + apple slices with cinnamon

- stove top oats + cooked quinoa + almond butter + vanilla + cinnamon + pumpkin seeds + raw nuts

- over night oats + almond milk / cold brew coffee + coconut milk yogurt + cinnamon + vanilla + fresh berries

- protein pancakes / waffles + organic maple syrup + fresh fruit

- avo toast + side salad of arugula and lemon honey dressing + garlic powder + red pepper flakes

- veggie omelette + 2 slices toast + 1/2 avocado

2. THE COMPROMISER: You like breakfast you really do, but the thought of preparing a good meal that early in the morning is not realistic in your mind and you rather just eat something quick, but still filling enough so you don't have to think about your next meal until like 3 hours later -- after you have finished class, and gone to the gym. Here are your options:

- sliced apples + big spoonful nut butter

- Quest Bars / RX Bars / Oatmega etc. (something with some protein and carbohydrates)

- Quick microwave oats + protein powder + maple syrup + super seeds

- Whole wheat toasted everything bagel scooped + avocado or with a fried egg & some full fat cream cheese

- 2 rice cakes + nut butter + bananas

- 2 whole eggs scrambled + pepper + salt + 2 slices of toast

- Frozen banana + lemon juice + milk of choice + ice + cinnamon + heaping spoonful of PB + super seed topping (smoothie option)

3. THE B-FAST HATER: You will live if you don't eat anything until lunch time, but then again what fun is that ? Less awesome food to be eaten during your day? Well that just sucks. Trust me you'll like these quick and small options:

- spoonful of nut butter + banana or strawberries dipped in almond butter with cinnamon

- 1/2 cup Kashi protein cereal + milk of choice + cinnamon

- 1 slice of toast + avocado + lemon juice

- yogurt + granola + spoonful of nut butter

- frozen Kashi 7 grain waffle + honey and granola topping

- handful of mixed nuts + fresh fruit

- an apple

I hope you consider these helpful tips when planning for your ideal breakfast ! No matter how big or how small of a breakfast you consume in the morning, this meal is muy importante, so make sure it's SO YUM & FUN Xo