Is there anything that people could pre-make to take and eat as they run out the door that would be tasty and healthy?
There are some ideas on the list -- peanut butter sandwich and juice, breakfast taco with cheese/salsa and egg, if desired, and juice, yogurt fruit parfait, granola bar and milk or juice, cheese and crackers and melted cheese on toast.
If people have to eat from a bag or a box, what should they look for?
The average person needs a breakfast that provides 300 to 500 calories... Smart breakfast ideas should include two or three food groups, which will provide carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber to energize the body longer. When you eat carbohydrates, protein and fat together, the body stays energized much longer than if you just drink a glass of juice. In other words, a healthy breakfast should include some type of fruit or vegetable (whole or 100-percent juice), cereal, bread or grain with peanut butter, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, ham or Canadian bacon. A balanced breakfast gives a sustained release of energy, maintains blood sugar levels and delays symptoms of hunger for several hours.
What should people consider if they head to a drive-through?
Remember that fast-food breakfasts can be very high in calories and fat. Request a copy of the nutrition information so you can select a healthier choice. Watch the portion size. Eat intuitively -- eat slowly, enjoy it and stop when you are full. Don't feel like you have to eat the whole meal -- give yourself permission to leave some leftovers. Canadian bacon or ham are delicious and lower-fat alternatives to sausage or bacon. Have milk or juice with the meal.
A lot of people in a hurry often skip breakfast. Is that a good idea?
Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. People who skip breakfast are more likely to overeat at other times throughout the day. Research shows us that people who eat breakfast have better concentration and more energy than people who skip breakfast... Eating breakfast is an important part of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight as part of an overall healthy lifestyle that also includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity and food journaling (keeping track of food intake for awareness). Sometimes people think that skipping breakfast will help them with weight control by saving calories. We believe that what actually happens is that people who skip breakfast begin to have a harder time with weight loss and weight control... When we skip breakfast, our body is not getting the energy it needs and it slows down. Our metabolism (the rate at which our body burns calories) may decrease because our body is trying to conserve the reserves it has. Over time it may become harder to lose weight.
Anything else you want to add?
Some people don't have much of an appetite in the morning. Even a small breakfast is better than nothing. Start with a light bite small portion, perhaps juice or toast. Then have a mid-morning nutritious snack when you are more hungry. Something is better than nothing.
For more ideas and information about how to energize your day with a healthy breakfast, see the One-Minute Breakfast Ideas at www.hy-vee.com
Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached at cathyw@npgco.com To see more of the St. Joseph News-Press or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stjoenews-press.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.