It has been said before by many nutritional experts and moms around the world: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day—and it really is. The meaning of the word breakfast is to literally break the fast from sleeping, when our bodies have gone without food and fluids for many hours. Staying fit requires that we feed our bodies proper nourishment and healthy meals at every point in the day, especially if working out is part of a regular schedule.
Why should meat and fish be eaten in the morning as opposed to, say, cereals? The answer comes down to the combination of protein and fat, first and foremost. The same could be achieved by eating three eggs with a good amount of butter or other healthy fats when choosing to follow a vegetarian diet; but if meat is on your list of foods to eat, then start thinking about having it at the start of your day as opposed to just the end. A high-protein diet will keep you full longer and leaner overall, especially if carbs are limited and simple carbs are avoided.
Meat packs a punch in the protein department and protein keeps us full longer and helps build and repair muscles that have been slightly damaged from vigorous workouts. Eating meat and fish in the morning for breakfast will keep satiety levels high, which means no need to snack mid-morning and taking in fewer calories. And that means less chance for weight gain.
Many breakfast menus offer steak and eggs for breakfast, and sausages are almost always on the menu, so it isn’t unheard of to eat a T-Bone at 9 a.m. In fact, it can be quite satisfying.
What to Eat for Breakfast Instead of Cereal
If eating meat for breakfast seems odd, it shouldn’t. Really, people eat sausages and bacon and even steak with breakfast, but here you are making meat the key item you eat in the morning.
Cereals are, for the most part, loaded with sugar and are very high in carbs: two things that can lead to weight gain and spikes in blood sugar levels when combined. Removing them from the diet all together is the best choice. Steel cut oats and regular oatmeal are better choices, but they are still carbs.
These spikes will then crash at some point, causing you to feel tired and sluggish. Eating a protein-heavy meal will not cause spikes in glucose levels and will not allow for crashes and feeling drained. You will feel energized and healthy.
Having a steak with a side salad is an excellent way to nourish the body for the start of the day and it will absolutely keep you full for hours. Your body will thank you for the boost of protein that gets delivered to the muscles as well.
Not into steak? No problem. Ground turkey is a lean protein and can be made into a breakfast scramble with vegetables of your choice. Pair with a couple of eggs for even more protein and some fruit for a fantastic breakfast that will have you motoring through your day like a champ.
Feel like fish? White fish has a mild flavor, so it is a perfect breakfast fish. Pan fry lightly in some oil or butter with salt, pepper, and lemon, and pair with a side salad or some cooked vegetables.
We need to stop thinking of certain foods only for breakfast and start considering what will fuel our bodies most optimally, and protein from meat and fish is ideal for that very goal.
