Donuts or Oatmeal: How Is Your Breakfast?
By Tom Herrin
It is a little funny how different people are about their eating habits. There are many who stand by what they always knew as a child. If they had bacon, eggs, and toast then, they may still be doing it years later. There are others who eat pastries for breakfast everyday. I am amazed at the number of small towns I pass through that have a donut shop and nothing else. It is obviously a popular choice for a lot of people. The tendency to follow habits doesn’t always mean that people are making wise choices based on sound reasoning. The right breakfast can be a critical part of the daily routine to preserve and protect health.
It May Help Protect Against Issues with Brain Function
More people today are concerned with problems that affect the operations of the brain than ever before, or so it seems. This may be due to increased longevity or a variety of other things. Starting the day with a breakfast with foods enriched with potassium, selenium, and magnesium are believed to have the ability to provide what the brain needs to minimize the risk of problems such as Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases. Making certain there is ample supply of fiber can also help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
It May Help with Hunger Management
Many people get hungry long before lunch. A good balanced breakfast may help a person to feel full longer as well as have the energy to sustain them throughout the day. Proper nutrients can help to boost the metabolism and keep the body burning calories. A poor diet can leave a person craving certain things but unable to satisfy the hunger for them. Finishing off breakfast with a piece of fruit may prevent the urge to eat high-carb, sugary snacks during the day.
It May Boost the Immune System
Many people consume some kind of citrus with breakfast. Orange or grapefruit juice are common while eating the whole fruit is as well. This can provide a good supply of antioxidants and vitamins that can help to fight off lots of illnesses. I have been through the whole nine yards about breakfast. When I was younger, I would eat bacon, eggs, and toast to the extreme. As I got older, I often skipped breakfast. As I learned more about nutrition, I realized that breakfast had a significant place and needed to individualized. I eat pretty light most of the time, with oats as the main component. I will sometimes add something else. I have learned that I have better luck managing weight when I eat breakfast. Eat what you want, but a steady diet of donuts may not provide what you need to perform your best.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Newnan, Ga.