Breakfast is the most vital part of the day and the way to not only jump start your metabolism, but also your brain. It is the foundation for the day and helps with weight loss and proper mobility and thinking throughout the day. It is important as parents to set an example and eat breakfast, so your kids will know how vital this meal truly is to their overall daily performance. It is also important that you take a look at what they’re eating. Sugary cereals are not a good way to start the day and do not provide the long term fuel needed for school and other activities. Here are some healthy breakfasts from my Fitness Answer Meal Plan:
GRANOLA PARFAIT
½ cup of fresh blueberries
1 cup of sugar-free vanilla yogurt
¼ cup of low-carb granola
Layer the berries, yogurt and granola in a dessert glass
ZESTY BREAKFAST BURRITO
1 whole egg
2 egg whites
1 oz. of Cheddar cheese
1 whole wheat tortilla
1 tbsp. of Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. red pepper spread (found in the ethnic food aisle of grocery or health food store)
Nonstick cooking spray
Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Beat egg and egg whites in small bowl. Add eggs to skillet. Sprinkle with cheese and flip. Spread red pepper spread on whole-wheat tortilla, layer sour cream on top, fill with eggs and roll-up.
BAGEL BLINTZ
Spread nonfat cream cheese lightly over both sides of a multi-grain bagel, top each side a 2 tablespoons of part-skim ricotta cheese, sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon.
PEANUT BUTTER CUP OATS
Combine ½ cup of old fashioned oatmeal mixed with 1 cup of low-fat milk or milk substitute, simmer on low heat. Remove from heat and mix in1 tbsp. of all natural chunky peanut butter, sweeten with natural sweetener such as stevia powder.
BERRY TRIO SMOOTHIE
1 scoop of vanilla yogurt, ¼ cup each of bluberries, strawberries, raspberries, 1 cup of non-fat milk, ice. Blend in blender until smooth.
NUTTY OATMEAL
½ cup of old fashioned oatmeal mixed with 1 cup of low-fat milk or milk substitute, simmer on low heat. Remove from heat and add 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder. Sprinkle with cinnamon and 1 tbsp chopped pecans, sweeten with natural sweetener such as stevia powder.
Joanne Sgro is Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.