The most important meal of the day? breakfast! it is very important to start off your day right, and what better way to do so than pampering yourself with a yummy breakfast? Eating best foods for breakfast will definitely help to energize your day.
“You want to aim for a breakfast that combines good carbs and fiber with some protein,” says Erica Giovinazzo, MS, RD, a nutritionist at Clay Health Club and Spa, in New York City. Luckily, your options are plenty.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite breakfast foods, along with expert tips for making them even healthier.
1. Greek Yogurt
This tangy, creamy yogurt is loaded with calcium and boasts plenty of protein—nearly twice as much as regular yogurt—to keep you feeling full throughout the morning. Your best bet: Choose a plain, nonfat variety, and add some fruit to give it some sweetness and flavor (and a dose of added nutrition).
You can find good Greek yogurt breakfast recipes here.
2. Grapefruit
Trying to lose weight? According to one study, eating half a grapefruit before each meal may help you slim down faster, thanks to the fruit’s fat-burning properties and its beneficial effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. Grapefruit is also hydrating, filling, and packed with immunity-boosting antioxidants.
For a well-rounded breakfast, pair it with protein—such as yogurt or an egg. But check with your doctor first if you take any medications, as grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interfere with some prescription drugs.
3. Almond butter
Don’t eat eggs or dairy? Almond butter is an excellent alternate source of protein, and it’s filled with monounsaturated fat (one of the good fats). Plus, it’s really delicious spread on whole grain bread or paired with a banana or an apple.
Nutritionally, almond butter is comparable to peanut butter, and they each have about 100 calories per tablespoon. Almond butter contains slightly less saturated fat, though—a definite point in its favor, even for people who aren’t allergic to peanuts.
4. Watermelon
As its name suggests, watermelon is an excellent way to hydrate in the morning. What is less well known is this juicy fruit is among the best sources of lycopene. It is a nutrient found in red fruits and vegetables that is important for vision, heart health, and cancer prevention.
Best of all, watermelon contains just 40 calories per cup. It is a so-called negative-calorie foods that supposedly burn more calories during digestion than they add in. (Actually, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s no reason to not eat watermelon!)
5. Strawberries
One cup of strawberries, for instance, contains your full recommended daily intake of vitamin C, along with high quantities of folic acid and fiber.
Strawberries are good for your ticker, too. A 2013 study found that women were less likely to have a heart attack over an 18-year period if they ate more than three servings of strawberries or blueberries per week. (Strawberries, like blueberries, are a good source of anthocyanins.)
