Start Your Day Healthy: The Benefits of Breakfast

It’s been well-documented that breakfast is the most important meal of the day in regards to its impact on our health and our daily well-being. Skipping meals, especially breakfast has been associated with excess body weight, hypertension, insulin resistance, and elevated triglycerides and cholesterol.

Studies show the intake of at least three grams of soluble fiber from oats can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5-10%.

Breakfast has been the focus of many science-based studies including a study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, that examined the association of eating breakfast and the risk of heart disease. The findings showed that those who skipped breakfast had a higher risk of heart attack or death from heart disease compared with those who did not.

The 16-year follow-up of this study showed that those men who skipped breakfast had a 27% higher risk of heart disease compared with men who did not, and those who ate late at night had a 55% higher CHD risk. Other studies support the importance of breakfast for a healthy appetite, weight management, improved blood sugar levels, insulin, blood pressure and cholesterol, and improved cognition and mood.

Healthy Breakfast Choices

Oatmeal

Oat consumption has been associated with cholesterol reduction. Studies show the intake of at least three grams of soluble fiber from oats can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5-10%. The primary cholesterol reducing effects of oats comes from β-glucan, a soluble fiber found in oats. In 1997, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a health claim for β-glucan soluble fiber from oats for reducing plasma cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. The soluble fiber, β-glucan from oats, has been shown to also have a positive impact on blood pressure and blood sugar, benefiting the treatment of diabetes and associated complications.

Beyond the health-promoting benefits of β-glucan, oats are rich in nutrients such as manganese, potassium, magnesium, B-vitamins and antioxidants with a good boost of plant-protein, all supporting a healthy start for your mind and body. A half cup uncooked (dry) oats has over four grams of total fiber with 1.65 grams of soluble fiber and 6.6 grams of protein.

Whole Grains

Start your day off to a healthy start with whole grains that provide a good source of sustainable energy. This includes whole grain toast or whole grain cereals. Whole grains are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vital nutrients such as B-vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and health promoting antioxidants.

Egg Whites

Egg yolks have been associated with heart disease, but the whites provide a rich source of protein to get your day off to a healthy start. This study, along with other studies with similar results, showed that a protein-rich breakfast led to less hunger throughout the day and saw favorable changes in the hormones and brain signals that control appetite.

Tofu

Tofu is another protein and nutrient-rich way to get your day started in a healthy way. It’s abundant in nutrients and antioxidants including powerful isoflavones that have cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.

Try this Tofu Scramble from the Ornish Kitchen Sample Menu

Produce

The current recommendation for daily produce intake is to strive for five or more servings a day based on your individual needs. By including nutrient-rich produce in your breakfast, you have a running start on achieving your daily produce goal of five or more. Compelling evidence that fruit and vegetables promote health and prevent chronic disease such as heart disease continues to prevail. A high consumption of produce is associated with a lower risk in all causes of mortality, particularly for cardiovascular disease.

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This smoothie is another way to kick off your day with nutrient-rich greens and health-promoting produce. It is also perfect for those whose time is limited in the morning. Just blend a few quick handfuls of heart-healthy produce together, and for an easy boost of morning protein you can include a serving of nonfat Greek yogurt, silken tofu or a scoop of protein powder. As Ornish chef Dennis Malone says, “a smoothie a day keeps the doctor away.” Another great way to get greens into your morning meal is to scramble them up in a heart-healthy egg white or tofu scramble or egg white frittata.

Berries

Evidence continues to emerge on the powerful health benefits of berries. These small, yet powerful nutrient-rich jewel-like fruits have health-promoting phytochemicals and protective antioxidants.

If you’re a member of Empower, we recommend exploring the Ornish Kitchen breakfast section. There are also a couple of great ideas to sample on the Sample Menu.

Do you eat breakfast everyday? If yes, what is your favorite breakfast to fuel you through your morning?