While your day might not go as planned, you can certainly start it positively by having a nutritious breakfast. However, what appears healthy may not be so. A healthy breakfast should provide the energy to carry you through the day, packed with a powerhouse of nutrients. While the concept of an ideal healthy breakfast may vary from person to person, here we highlight foods that may not be as ‘healthy’ as they seem.
Breakfast Cereals
Regardless of what cereal packaging labels claim, cereals are not a healthy breakfast option for children or adults. Some cereals boast of containing ‘whole grains,’ but they are highly processed, with minimal actual whole grains and fortified nutrients and sugar added. The sugar content provides a quick energy boost, but this energy level can decline rapidly.
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Fruit Juice
This is perhaps one of the biggest scams in the realm of ‘healthy’ foods. Fruit juices lack the natural fibers found in whole fruits, and they often contain preservatives, sugars, or fructose syrups to enhance taste. Regular consumption of high-fructose-containing fruit juices can increase the risk of diabetes, obesity, and chronic health issues.
Bread with Jam and Cream
While this may be what your heart and mind crave after waking up, it’s not what your body needs. Breads are typically made with flour, sugar, and butter. Adding jam and cream transforms them into a calorie-dense and sugary breakfast option. While sugar provides a quick boost, it can also lead to a rapid decline in energy and increased appetite, often resulting in overeating.
Flavored Yogurt
Plain Greek yogurt topped with your favorite fruits, nuts, and seeds can be considered healthy; however, store-bought flavored yogurt is often not. These yogurts are rich in sugar, artificial preservatives, and sweeteners, doing more harm than good.
Pancakes
No matter how satisfying this breakfast option may feel, it is far from healthy. Made with sugar, flour, and butter and topped with store-bought maple syrup (often containing added sugar and flavoring), pancakes are never an ideal breakfast option.
If you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free breakfast, the options are endless. Choose from oatmeal to smoothie bowls, avocado toast to chia pudding, or upma to poha. However, resist the temptation of opting for something unhealthy first thing in the morning.
