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Healthy You Archives |
Eating Healthy
Stoke Your Engine With a Healthy Breakfast Would you set out for work in a car with an empty gas tank? Of course not. So why start the day without proper fuel for your body? “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” says registered dietitian Shelley Book of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Studies repeatedly show that a good breakfast not only keeps your physical energy up, it also improves mental performance, concentration and memory.” Children who eat breakfast have a more positive attitude toward school and get better test scores than those who don’t, Book says. You can encourage their positive breakfast habits by setting an example yourself. “And if you’re trying to control your weight,” Book says, “a decent breakfast is your friend. When you skip it, your metabolism slows down and burns fewer calories. You’re more likely to reach for junk food or overeat at your next meal.” What makes a breakfast healthy? An ideal one includes protein (such as low-fat dairy, soy or meat), complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain bread or cereal) and fruits or vegetables (fresh or juice). For some examples, see chart below. High-fiber foods keep you full longer than simple carbohydrates (like sugar and white flour), which cause energy to spike and drop. And avoid high-fat foods, which can make you feel sluggish. If you’re rushed in the morning, take a few minutes each evening to organize the morning’s first meal by picking one or two ingredients from each column in our chart, doing whatever preparation you can ahead of time. Dinner leftovers can come in handy, too.
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
ARTICLE TOOLS:
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 May June 2006 Eating Healthy
Staying Fit
Caring for Mind and Body
Just for Women
Just for Men
Raising a Family
Heart of Healthy You
Protecting Your Health
Coping with Illness
Aging Well
Keeping Up to Date
Weight Control
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