Don't Snooze, Eat Breakfast Instead!
By Donna Stark
I know the feeling. In fact, I did it a couple of times this morning and boy, was it ever amazing. But hitting that snooze button really didn't do me any favors because there is nothing worse than starting the day behind schedule. We all know that every minute counts between the time we wake up and the time we head out the door, and that if we take some extra minutes in bed, we will have to make them up somewhere else. Since we definitely need to shower and get dressed for the day, the only time left to find those extra minutes is usually when we would make ourselves some breakfast, isn't it? And yes, the office does have a vending machine available, but is that really a good option to fall back on?
Fueling Your Body Before the Day Starts
Beginning your day in "scramble-mode" is bad enough, but having to do so on an empty stomach is even worse. Stop compromising your much-needed fuel for the day for those extra 15 minutes of sleep. If you have to choose one over the other, you know that a healthy breakfast is the way to go, but we all understand ... try telling that to your tired brain in the morning, right? So here's what you have to do. If you can't win that battle, you need to prepare ahead of time and here are some great suggestions on how to do it.
- Instant breakfasts - Make a quick grab-and-go meal the night before so it is all ready for you in the morning. Overnight oats, whole-grain muffins, and pre-made breakfast burritos are perfect for this.
- Fruit and yogurt - Prep and package your fruit in the beginning of the week so they are ready to go on those crazy mornings. Eat them on their own during your commute or wait until you get to work and top your favorite yogurt with them.
- Smoothies - Yes, smoothies do take some time, but if you package and organize all of the ingredients the night before, that time is minimal. All you need to do is throw them in the blender and let it rip while you load up your car. In a matter of seconds, your smoothie will be ready to go!
- Emergency stash - It's always good to have a backup plan and when it comes to breakfast, that may mean keeping a stash of healthy items at your desk. Oatmeal or nut butter packets, protein bars, and dried fruit are some great options.
Ensuring a Great Day
Skipping breakfast should never become the norm, so take the necessary steps to make sure you eat something! After all, a healthy meal to start your day will definitely do more for your body than those last few minutes of interrupted sleep will!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Raleigh, N.C.