Carbs and Breakfast

July Blog

Date: July 2009
Author: Sam Silvester

Many people skip breakfast which results in a rapid drop in blood sugar mid morning, causing people to grab something quickly that isn’t always healthy. There are two main reasons for missing breakfast:

• the person isn't hungry because they ate too much the night before or ate too late;
• they haven't got time.

Ideally large quantities of food should not be eaten near to bedtime as it is not used up very quickly as fuel, and can cause indigestion and sleep disturbances. If you simply aren’t hungry for breakfast, then eat it mid morning.

If you haven't got time, take it with you. Here are some ideas for portable healthy breakfasts:

• Buy a frozen fruits smoothie mix (available in most supermarkets), defrost and blend with a small cup of fresh fruit juice, large tablespoon of natural live yoghurt and a tablespoon of mixed seeds. Place in watertight container.
• Natural live yoghurt with added blueberries and 5 or 6 chopped walnuts.
• Oatcakes or Ryvitas with cottage cheese and fresh dates.
• Fruit compote (made with stewed dried apricots, prunes and figs) plus mixed natural nuts.
• 2 Tablespoons Crunchy oat cereal mixed into natural live yoghurt with 1 dessertspoon of seeds.

Our modern eating habits mean that we are eating large amounts of carbohydrates and less protein. This coupled with a more sedentary way of life leads to weight gain and blood sugar imbalances. One way to combat this is to only eat wholegrains and avoid anything made with refined white flour which means it has been stripped of its nutrients. Wholegrains include wholemeal bread, wholemeal crackers such as Ryvita or oatcakes, brown rice, brown pasta, quinoa and oats. Try to eat wholegrains and protein at each meal which ensures that blood sugar levels remain stable and we experience more energy and less cravings. Proteins include meat, fish, pulses, eggs, nuts and seeds, cheese and yoghurt.

If you would like to find out more please contact me.

Keep healthy - enjoy life!