Food Focus: Breakfast

Okay, so breakfast isn't really a food, I know I know. But if you are a breakfast-skipper, read on. Want to lose weight? Be sure to eat breakfast. Want energy throughout the day? Eat breakfast. Want to end cravings? Get that breakfast. Am I sounding like a broken record? Breakfast is the most important meal. Your body needs energy first thing in the morning to fuel its cells after its long fast from the previous night's dinner. Breakfast speeds up the metabolism and prepares the body for using nutrients and burning calories. If you miss breakfast, the body tends to hold on to the next meal it gets because it fears starvation. Additionally, skipping breakfast can increase your risk of obesity by tampering with your body's insulin response, increasing your body's fat storage. If you're new to breakfast, start simple: fruit, toast with butter, yogurt, or eggs. Don't let it be daunting, and remember that healthy foods should be your body's first intake of sustenance, not a donut on the run.

My favorite breakfast is two eggs fried in coconut oil with oatmeal that was soaked overnight to increase its enzymatic activity and nutrient content. When I'm in a hurry, I reach for a morning smoothie of yogurt, fruit and coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great fat to incorporate into your diet. It is a medium-chain fatty acid, which means the body burns it for energy immediately. Coconut oil has been shown to speed up metabolism and consuming it first thing in the morning sets the stage for proper calorie burning all day long. It's also antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, and definitely a good mainstay during the cold season. See the recipe linked here for a simple morning energy boost!