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Advice / Succeeding at Work / Break Room

Easy Ways to Eat A Better Breakfast

You’re short on sleep. You have a busy morning ahead. And it’s so tempting to hit that snooze button—one more time—and just skip breakfast.

Don’t do it.

Having breakfast is the best thing you can do for yourself in the morning—even if you're tired. Eating early starts your metabolism, revs up your energy, and puts you on pace for a good day.

Try these great breakfast ideas: healthy and quick, so you won’t miss out on too much of that delicious delicacy: sleep.

Yogurt

Easy and portable, yogurt comes in a variety of flavors and promises never to bore. Try a yogurt higher in protein, like Greek yogurt. Avoid adding extra fat and carbohydrates by choosing a light or fat-free yogurt with no added sugar.

Oatmeal

Even if it doesn’t really “stick to your ribs,” oatmeal is a reliable breakfast option for a time-starved young professional. It’s easy to make, and you can stir in protein-rich additions (like nuts) to keep you healthy. Or try adding low-carb vanilla protein powder, a delicious supplement that brings a touch of sweetness.

Egg whites

These delicious and healthy egg-parts will scramble in under five minutes, and pack plenty of protein. Plus, you can always mix in last night’s leftover vegetables for a well-balanced start to the day.

More Breakfast Tips

  • Power up with protein. If you have more than three hours between breakfast and lunch, steer clear of carbohydrate-heavy breakfasts and aim to fill up on proteins. You digest carbs faster, and are likely to find yourself starving by lunch time or snacking by mid-morning. Proteins will keep you satiated you for much longer.
  • Skip the sugar. Extra sugar is not your friend. Let the natural sweetness of fruits shine through as your main sugar source.
  • Know your nutrition. Muffins are not healthier than doughnuts. Starbucks’ healthy-sounding Zucchini Walnut muffin has 490 calories and 28 grams of fat. Compare to their Old-Fashioned Glazed Doughnut: 420 calories and 21 grams of fat. Point made.
  • Just add water. Starting the day off with two cups of coffee (or a Venti) isn’t going to set you up to stay hydrated through the day, especially if you aren't drinking water. Coffee is a diuretic, and will dehydrate you if you don’t replenish your fluids. A rule of thumb: aim to drink twice as much water as coffee.
  • Photo courtesy of The Bitten Word.