"I will eat something later."
After a few hours:
"Why do I feel I have no energy?"
Psst...It's because you didn't eat!
Skipping breakfast has become the norm for most people. Especially teens. From running late to not wanting to eat first thing in the morning, there are many excuses that have us running out the door on an empty stomach.
And in the moment, it may seem like nothing. But in the long run, skipping breakfast is extremely detrimental to the body and mind.
Image Credit: Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Let us slide into your dms 🥰
Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Skipped Breakfast = Diminished Performance
Most of us feel that if we skip breakfast, we will optimize our day and get a head start on our tasks. But in reality, this couldn't be further from the truth. Skipping breakfast is denying our bodies the chance to perform to their fullest potential.
Depriving ourselves of a dose of healthy nutrients in the morning results in sluggishness, lower energy levels, and decreased creativity throughout the day, which directly affects our performance.
You may feel perfectly fine in the start, but trust me, the crash that comes later is pretty unfabulous, especially when there are deadlines you need to meet.
Image Credit: Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash
Take the Quiz: Are You A Coffee Or Tea Person?
Take this quiz to find out!
The Effects We Don't See
Feeling nauseous, lightheaded, and exhausted are common effects. They don’t threaten your health for longer periods. However, skipping breakfast can lead to some serious health issues.
For example, a study of 2019, published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (JCDD), states that skipping breakfast is linked to high blood pressure and metabolic conditions (health problems linked to an increased chance of heart strokes, contrary to heart disease, etc.)
Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology states that not eating breakfast results in a prevalence of obesity, whereas a greater number of eating intervals lowers the risk of it.
Image Credit: Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash
Embracing Variety & Ditching The “Traditional Breakfast” Mindset
This is something I struggle with myself. My household is one where breakfast is a big deal. So much preparation and so many options.
I am not saying there is something wrong with this. The only problem is that people in these families start to believe that breakfast is an event that has a requirement to be ‘grand’ in a way.
They are conditioned to think that the simple meal to start the day should, in fact, not be simple. And when these people start to prepare their own meals, they don’t feel like they are doing the ‘right thing’ if the food isn’t high-effort. They think it is better to just leave it than negate whatever psychological belief they grew up having.
The first thing is to shed this belief. Your breakfast doesn't have to look like it was prepared for the queen herself. It can be low-effort.
Just some ingredients together in a bowl are perfectly okay. Remember, the main goal of breakfast is to nourish your body with the right ingredients, not impress Gordon Ramsay.
Low-Effort, High-Energy: Breakfast Options That SLAY!
Image Credit: Photo by Aasiya Khan on Unsplash
Breakfast Bowls
Breakfast bowls are the most customizable option out there. Filled with protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, they are not only easy to prepare but also don’t require too much effort. Just put everything into a bowl and eat it.
The best thing? They range from sweet to savoury options, so you can pick out your favs.
They don’t have to be complicated either. Just put yogurt in a bowl and top it off with some fruits and oats, and you have a perfectly balanced breakfast!
Image Credit: Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
Breakfast Smoothies
I can’t eat something right after I wake up. I need at least half an hour before my insides will accept something. In these moments, smoothies are the perfect option.
They are lightweight and don’t have a lot of ingredients in them. Just take some milk and fruits and blend it all together!
Image Credit: Photo by Amin Zabardast on Unsplash
Omelets
Omelets are literally the food equivalent of French tip nails. Just like you can pair French tips with any nail color, you can pair your omelet with any other ingredient in your fridge. You can add a variety of vegetables and even fruits to your omelet.
There are so many recipes out there, but my favorite is my dad’s recipe, which I make all the time. He calls it the ‘veggie omelet,’ and it is quite easy. Following is the recipe if you want to give it a try yourself!
- Take 2-3 eggs and 3 medium-sized vegetables: 1 tomato, 1 potato, and 1 onion.
- Crack your eggs and put in ½ teaspoon of salt and red chili powder. Whisk until frothy.
- Put the eggs aside and grab your vegetables. Chop them into small cubes.
- Put some oil in a pan and fry the potatoes on low heat until they are fully cooked (you can push your spatula into the potato, and if it slices in half, you know it is fully cooked).
- Next, take out the potatoes and put in the chopped tomatoes and onions in the same pan and lightly fry on medium heat. (Don’t leave them on for too long, as they can burn.)
- Put all the vegetables in the egg mixture and add some milk (this step is optional, but I like to add milk because it balances out every flavor).
- Mix everything together and put it in the frying pan.
- Cook on medium heat until golden brown and enjoy!
To Sum It Up
Eating breakfast is an act of self-love. Nourishing your body with the right ingredients gives you the opportunity to perform better in everyday life. Even if you feel like you are extremely busy, just take 5-10 minutes out of your day to give your body and mind the care they deserve, and I promise, your health will thank you in the long run!
