Healthy Breakfast & Snack - Nutrition for a Champion

Ever heard these sayings, "Breakfast is the most- Whole Grain Cereal with 1 cup non-fat, low fat
important meal of the day," "The breakfast ofmilk
champions," "Have you had your Wheaties- Whole Grain Toast with nut butters or 100%
today?" Did you know that breakfast was namedfruit jam
for exactly what the name entails- you are- Small Odwalla or Naked Juice with ½ bran
breaking a fast?Studies have shown over andmuffin
over again that individuals who eat breakfast- Instant Organic Oatmeal served with chopped
perform better at work, school, and otherfruit, raisins or berries, nuts or seeds, or dried
activities that require concentration or thought.fruit
Your brain needs good fuel to function, and food- Frozen Whole Grain Waffles or Pancakes with
provides the fuel for it to function- it's that simple.fresh or frozen fruit
It doesn't stop with breakfast either, mini-meals- Smoothie (yogurt, fruit, non fat, soy or rice
and snacks should make up your entire wakingmilk)
hour's schedule. Doing this helps to keep blood- Hard Boiled Egg with whole grain toast
sugar levels even, resulting in more consistent- Luna, Cliff, Lara, or other organic, whole grain
energy, moods, and concentration andmeal replacement bar
consistently shows a better sense of health and- 1 cup of soup or leftovers
well-being. Without proper, frequent nutritionEASY SNACKS: between meal comforts
individuals tend to experience middle of the day- Fruit
slumps in work performance, less than optimal- Smoothie
performance during exercise or sport practice- ¼ cup of nuts or seeds
sessions, lethargy, irritability and tend to be less- Dried Fruit
rational than a regularly fed person. Unfortunately- Fruit Leather
this not only effects the individual, but more often- Apple Sauce (unsweetened)
than not co-workers, family members and friends.- Raw Vegetables with 2 Tablespoons of hummus
Often sited reasons for skipping feedings include- Celery stuffed with peanut butter
too tired in the morning to eat, not hungry, lack- ½ of sandwich
of time, not sure what to eat, or they are saving- Soup (1 cup)
all their calories for that one great evening meal-- Frozen 100% juice popsicle
one of the worst ideas yet. Too often these- Organic popcorn
excuses lead to poor food choices later in the- Yogurt
day, too many calories consumed and an- Whole grain crackers with low fat cheese
unpleasant feeling of an overfull, gorged gut. Our- Rice cakes with nut butters, applesauce and a
bodies are designed to eat every 2-3 hours, justsprinkle of cinnamon
like a newborn baby. You wouldn't make an- Cereal
excuse for a baby to miss a meal, nor should you- Granola Bars
make and excuse for yourself. There are plenty- Baked Corn Chips & Salsa
of simple solutions for breakfast, snacks and- Trail Mix (1/2 cup)
mini-meals.- Hard Boiled Egg
Below is a list of suggestions for quick and easyREPLACEMENTS: consider substituting these ideas
breakfasts, snacks, as well as several ideas forInstead of White Sugar ---------- Replace with:
replacement options to make meals moreHoney, Maple Syrup (100%), Molasses, Rice
nutritious, less fattening, plus lower in sodium andSyrup, or Barley Malt Syrup.
refined products (white flour and sugar). Make aInstead of Whole or 2% Milk ---------- Replace
shopping list and start planning for tomorrow'swith: Organic, non fator 1% milk
breakfast and snacks.Instead of Whole Fat Cheese ---------- Replace
BREAKFAST IDEAS: Quick and easy optionswith: Low Fat, Part Skim Cheeses
- Fresh seasonal fruit- largest selection, mostInstead of Butter & Margarine ---------- Replace
common in produce sectionwith: Organic butter or ghee and Extra Virgin Olive
- Organic Yogurt with ¼ cup of Kashi cerealOil
or organic granolaInstead of Mayonnaise ---------- Replace with:
- Rice Cakes with nut butters, 100% fruit jam, orHummus, Mustard, Canola Oil & Vinegar
applesauceInstead of Salt ---------- Replace with: Mrs.