Best Breakfast for a Productive Day
As medical technology continues to advance in diagnosing, treating, and healing, how we take care of our bodies becomes a different and specific formula for every person. Just because someone looks healthy on the exterior does not always translate to the interior. Medical imaging can help people to find the physical and hopefully, fixable, problems that sometimes plague our bodies. Unfortunately, there are some things that medical imaging cannot explain, like the causes mid-day legarthy, moodiness or digestion problems. Luckily, there are some small, simple improvements you can make to can help you stay healthy and happy. The most important of these improvements is the one your mother always told you about: a good breakfast makes a good day. Here is some food for thought to help you make the best breakfast for a productive day so you can not only look good, but feel good as well.
1. Drinks and Beverages
Most Americans would agree there is nothing like the smell of fresh-brewed coffee first thing in the morning. Although coffee in moderation can have health benefits, for the vast majority of the population, one cup just doesn’t cut it for optimal productivity in the workplace or schoolroom. So instead, you order a venti, triple-shot, no foam latte with a Red-Bull chaser and wonder why you’re speeding through the morning and crashing by noon. Caffeine addiction is a real affliction with serious withdrawals and unfortunately, the more caffeine you ingest, the higher your tolerance becomes until the energy you so desperately need, you can no longer get from your favorite beverages. Replace one morning coffee with tea or water. Not only will this help you from needing higher doses of caffeine, but your teeth and breath will thank you. Keep your coffee and espresso portions to smaller doses and find energy from metabolically-friendly food and juices.
The juicing craze is already a huge hit in Hollywood and is slowly traveling to the rest of the world. The rich and famous swear by the cleansing and anti-aging benefits of fruit and vegetable juices. If you don’t get enough of those things in your diet, juicing is a great way to find new foods that you enjoy as well as being your own barista and creating your own flavors and recipes tailored to your needs. Hate veggies? Don’t be so quick to judge! Mixing veggies with a favorite fruit will mellow out the taste as well as fill up your tummy. Don’t have the budget for a juicer? Try a V8. Don’t worry, this is not your mom’s V8 anymore. The brand has expanded and now includes a variety of yummy fruit and vegetable juices. .
Kids and teenagers are at critical points in the growing period and it is important to give them a breakfast that supports growth, brain development, and hormone regulations. Sugary juices, sodas or coffee for breakfast should be a definite no-no. Kids and adolescents should have beverages like reduced fat milk, organic orange juice, or a cup of cold water. These drinks will keep their energy levels moderated so they can stay focused throughout the school day.
2. Foods and Snacks
To preface these tips, the most important part of any breakfast is to make sure to have one! So many people begin their days without any substantial breakfast and any doctor will tell you that you are doing a major disservice to yourself and your productivity by missing this meal. Always have a little breakfast so you won’t be tempted by the vending machine snacks or the heavenly smell of bacon and sausage when you pass McDonald’s. This leads to the second-most important detail of breakfast, the quality of one’s breakfast.
If you hate getting up the morning to make your own breakfast, keep some granola bars in your car or bag to eat on your way out the door with your one cup of coffee. Keep fresh fruit in your kitchen like apples, oranges and bananas. (Quick fact: Keep apples and bananas separated, the secretions from these fruits cause the other to rot faster.) Bust out that old margarita blender and throw some ice, yogurt and your favorite fruits in and blend until the desired consistency. The calories you consume in the morning are the first fuel your body finds and you must make sure its premium so you can be the brightest version of you.
If you have a little bit more time to make your own breakfast, go ahead and get creative with your cravings! Go with time-honored classics like eggs, breakfast meat and toast or bagels and cream-cheese. Avoid sugary cereals and pop-tarts and instead grab whole-grain cereals and other grain breakfasts like oatmeal with a spoonful of Nutella or iron-rich Cream of Wheat. A small portion of pancakes or waffles with a side of fruit goes over well with any kid or adult. .
3. The Body, Mind, and Soul
Besides breakfast, there are other factors that can affect your productivity throughout the day. A lack of substantial sleep, late-night eating or excessive drinking will curtail your optimum performance throughout the day. Before going to bed remind your brain the time for sleep has arrived and turn off your lights and electronic devices (but don’t forget your alarm) and be sure to get your full 8 hours. Stretching upon waking gets the blood flowing to your brain and limbs and will help you wake up faster and more peacefully. Give yourself enough time in the morning to have something to eat as well as the other morning habits that make you feel good whether thats reading the sports section, watching the morning news, or taking the dog for a walk. You have to take care of more than just your body to have the best and most productive day possible.
If you have special dietary or nutritional concerns, talk to your doctor about a more specialized plan to increase your efficiency and the quality of your day. But all of these suggestions are easy for anyone to do, they just require a bit of forethought and planning. The sacrifice is definitely worth the reward. Your body may not be your temple, but it is your machine and it is your job to keep it functioning a top speed.
This article was written by Eric Kneff in association with Doctors Imaging. They’re Radiologists concerned about quality patient care and helping everyone stay healthy. The views expressed herein are those of the author himself, and not necessarily those of any medical facility or physician. This article is intended to provide those reading it with information about matters of current interest. It should not be construed as legal or medical advice concerning a specific topic and should not be acted upon without contacting the appropriate professionals.