You’ve probably heard the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” about a million times before. But are you really fueling your body the right way each morning? The food you eat when you wake up can set the tone for the entire day, so it’s important to make good choices.
Grabbing a bagel is quick and easy, but it’s not going to set you up for a successful, focused day. Those quick-hit carbs won’t improve your mood or energy levels. Instead of opting for simple carbs and sugary cereals, consider “super” breakfast options to improve your entire day.
The Right Food Can Fuel a Successful Day for Kids and Adults
Sometimes, we don’t realize just how important food is for our general well-being. Sure, we know that we have to eat well if we want to stay healthy and fit. But we don’t often realize just how much the food we eat can impact our mood and overall wellness. This is true for both kids and adults.
When your family is stressed out, you can’t always remove the stressors from their lives. But you can get them started with a healthy breakfast that will help them (and you!) tackle the day. Eating well in the morning will help improve your mood, give you consistent energy throughout the day, and allow your family to focus at school or work.
Try incorporating these three superfoods in the morning for a great day!
Coconut Oil Can Improve Cognitive Brainpower
We still don’t fully understand how the brain works. Some days, you feel sluggish and have trouble concentrating. Other days, you’re on top of the world and you feel like you could tackle any problem. A combination of factors affect our cognitive abilities, but diet definitely has an influence.
Coconut oil has exploded in popularity over the last few years for its many health benefits. But one of the most exciting benefits of this superfood is its ability to boost cognitive brainpower. Research is still in the early stages, but the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in coconut oil have been found to improve cognition in people with mild Alzheimer’s, a common form of dementia.
Eating coconut oil probably won’t cancel out other factors that could be negatively impacting your cognitive brainpower, but it could help give you a boost. Plus, coconut oil has lots of other benefits too!
Dark Chocolate for Improved Mood
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes, please! Here’s your permission to indulge at the beginning of the day and treat yourself. You might have heard that dark chocolate is good for you, but you might not have considered adding it to your breakfast table before.
Dark chocolate contains a number of different compounds, including theobromine, caffeine, and N-acylethanolamine. Yes, it contains sugar, but dark chocolate is lower in sugar than milk chocolate while offering more health benefits. Plus, having a little chocolate (emphasis on “a little”) in the morning will boost your mood for the simple fact that it’s delicious!
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Mental Health
Do you struggle with your mood or mental health? Omega-3 fatty acids might be able to help. Studies have shown that low levels of omega-3s are linked to mental health disorders. Your diet alone probably won’t be able to fight off anxiety or depression, but eating more omega-3s might be able to help with your mood and well-being.
When most people think of omega-3 fatty acids, they immediately think of fish, especially salmon. While you might love a bit of lox in the morning, that’s not the only way to get your omega-3s. Flax and chia seeds, along with walnuts, are also good sources.
Breakfast Doesn’t Have to Take All Morning!
Most people are short on time in the morning and can’t afford to spend half an hour cooking breakfast during the week. It can be especially hectic if you’re trying to feed the entire family before sending the kids off to school. Still, it’s important for your family’s ongoing well-being to stay on top of updated health information and to serve healthy food in the morning.
The good news is that incorporating these superfoods doesn’t have to take all morning. You could whip up a batch of granola with coconut oil, flax, nuts, and dried fruit on the weekend and serve it with almond or dairy milk or yogurt, some fruit, and a little dark chocolate. These superfoods are super yummy and simple to introduce into your daily diet!