Breakfast is considered by many dietitians to be the most important meal of the day. While having a nutrient-dense meal at the beginning of the day is a fantastic idea, it’s easy to let the rush of the morning to derail our plans. This can set us up for failure for the rest of the day. Here are ten breakfast foods you should avoid if you want to get through your day with the energy necessary to attack your goals.
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Sugary Cereal
Yes, they taste delicious, but a big bowl of your favorite highly processed sugary cereal is not the best option to start your day with.
All of that sugar is going to lead to a sugar crash, leaving you feeling sluggish in a few hours. Plus, you’ll likely feel hungry again.
Breakfast Bars
Pre-packaged breakfast bars are convenient to grab and go for a busy morning, but they aren’t the best choice for a healthy breakfast.
They are full of added sugar and preservatives. If you are going to buy them, make sure they contain at least ten grams of protein. If you want breakfast bars, your best bet is to make a healthy version at home.
Premade Smoothies
Premade smoothies are convenient for breakfast on the go, but they aren’t very good for you. These are also full of lots of added sugars.
You can make a healthy smoothie quickly at home by freezing smoothie packets with your favorite fruits. Toss one in the blender with some yogurt or milk, and you’ll have a healthy breakfast in under a minute.
Hash Brown Patties
Hash brown patties are a popular fast food breakfast side, and you can find them in the frozen food aisle as well. However, these aren’t a good breakfast option because they are full of fat from being pre-fried so that they hold together.
Bagels
Bagels are a breakfast staple, but they aren’t very good for you, especially if you load them up with toppings like smoked salmon and cream cheese. They’re little different than a donut when you think about it.
Instead, opt for half of a bagel with healthy toppings like fruit or avocado.
Processed Meats
Traditional breakfast meats like sausage, bacon, and ham are highly processed and full of sodium, which is not great if you have high blood pressure.
You can enjoy these meats occasionally, but they shouldn’t be a part of your regular breakfast routine.
Juice
A large glass of juice is considered a serving of fruit, so you may think that it’s a good breakfast option. However, that glass of juice contains a large amount of sugar and none of the fiber that a piece of fruit would.
Juice can be a part of a healthy breakfast, but not the only thing you have.
Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy are a breakfast staple, especially down south. They should be relegated to an occasional treat and not a regular breakfast, though.
They are made with refined white flour. Because of the bulk of the meal, you will stay full for quite a while, but they aren’t very good for you.
Muffins
Muffins are perfect for breakfast on the move, or are they? Sadly, most muffins are made with white flour and sugar, so they aren’t your healthiest option.
Look for muffins made with wheat flour or whole grains, or make your own instead. Muffins freeze well, so you can make a batch for the freezer to grab and go.
Bananas
Having a banana is an excellent choice for breakfast, correct? Not so fast. Bananas do provide a lot of energy, but there’s one problem – they’re high in simple sugars. Most will go through the available nutrients rather quickly.
If you must have a banana for breakfast, pair it with a high protein food to slow down digestion.
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I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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