Let's Talk Breakfast

Hey guys,

It is mid-August already (can you believe it!) and all my clients seems to be panicking about September and their shape! I personally am yet to understand why September is the holy grail month that everyone targets, I mean beach weather only comes towards November in Cape Town, yet if that’s the date that gets you guys motivated, then let’s get going!

Someone asked me this week if they can only change one thing, what should that be. I didn’t have to think twice about it. BREAKFAST, of course! Now how many of you haven’t heard that breakfast is the most important thing of the day? I thought so… Do you know why it’s so important?

The easiest way to explain it is that breakfast is like the foundation of your meals for the rest of the day. So, just like you can’t skip primary school, get into grade four and expect flying colours in all subjects, you will have a hard time eating right later in the day if you skip breakfast. Further, eating the right kind of breakfast (like something with loads of fibre, e.g. oats or bran flakes) will keep you regular and you will definitely notice reduction in bloating, if you are suffering from it in the first place.

Plus, breakfast is an easy meal to get right. I mean, how many of you feel like a Snickers bar and a can of Coke of breakfast? Just the thought of something so sweet early in the morning is off-putting! It is much easier to control what you eat for breakfast than any other meal of the day.

While on the subject, the second most common question I deal with (after “you have to eat breakfast every day, even if not hungry!”) is “what should I eat then?”. I am one for variety! As far as I am concerned, you can have a different thing every day and you can make a daily ritual out of it. For me, Monday is protein breakfast day. I eat scrambled eggs (only one yolk and three whites), reduced fat feta cheese and some tomatoes or cucumber. Plus coffee. Tuesdays are smoothies days (probably cause I always oversleep on Tuesdays and need something I can consume while driving to clients!). On Wednesday I will eat bran flakes with fat free milk and strawberries and so forth.

Generally speaking, slow cooking oats, the ones with the large flakes) are better than instant ones. Bran flakes are better than corn flakes, oaties (however their name is spelt) or crispies. Egg whites (with one yolk), scrambled in a tea spoon of olive oil are better than fried eggs. But most importantly, eating breakfast, any breakfast, is better than not eating one at all.

So, to those of you who want to get in tip top shape as soon as possible: I have one piece of advice for you – eat! First thing in the morning. Even if you don’t feel like it. Even if it means you have to cook something before dawn. It is worth your while. I promise.

Ciao!

Jeni