Off to the races! We are back to school, CLM! For some of us, this means waking and feeding one or more children, plus yourself. Monday through Friday is now game day, and that means tackling each day with breakfast. It’s a new school year, the perfect time to make breakfast a habitual staple for the family. Personal Trainer Jessica Rudloff shares some of her nutrition expertise on the subject.
WHY IS BREAKFAST THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY?
Breakfast is the meal that literally breaks the overnight fast that occurs when we are sleeping. After (hopefully) 6-8 hours of sleep and the absence of nutrition, the body is running on fumes. It is making its own fuel in the liver, rather than readily absorbing it from the blood. This process leaves the brain sluggish, foggy, and not quite ready for long division. Without breakfast, our number one tool for work and school is operating at less than optimal speed. The brain is hungry in the morning!
Studies across groups of students have shown multiple times that those students that eat breakfast have lower rates of behavior problems, higher scores in math, longer attention span, and overall a better nutrient profile. Breakfast fuels the brain. The nutrients allow our brain cells to fire signals to one another with speed and precision. Check out some make ahead and on-the-go recipes to feed your brain!
WHAT ARE SOME HEALTHY ON-THE-GO BREAKFAST IDEAS?
Here are two of my favorite make ahead breakfast treats that you can grab and go when you’re caught in the morning rush.
Healthy Banana Bread (or muffins!)
AND, OF COURSE, THERE’S ALWAYS THE SMOOTHIE!
The Magic Bullet is your new best friend. If you are notorious for chasing your tail in the morning, a Magic Bullet is a necessity. Below are two recipe favorites! Just add the ingredients to the bullet, blend, and enjoy!
Peanut Butter Banana
- ½ Cup Spinach
- 1 frozen Banana (keep frozen banana pieces in the freezer)
- 2 Tbs Peanut Butter
- 1 Cup Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 Tbs Chia Seeds (adds extra fiber and protein)
- 3-4 ice cubes
Strawberry Chocolate
- ½ Cup Spinach
- ¾ Cup Frozen Strawberries (sold in bags in the freezer section)
- 1 Cup Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 Scoop Vega Chocolate Protein Mix (Target and Wegmans)
- 3-4 Ice Cubes
