We all know that breakfast is the most important part of the day, yet so many people struggle to fit it into their schedules. Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast is the best way to give your mind and body the energy it needs to be productive. Eating breakfast can be as simple as grabbing a protein bar on the way out the door, but ideally, a breakfast would include sitting down, eating, and enjoying your meal. Instead of skipping breakfast, build in the time in your schedule to eat breakfast, and make sure it’s packed with protein.
Getting enough protein with breakfast is one of the most critical elements of building a healthy breakfast habit. Protein is necessary for a variety of reasons. Our bodies use protein to build tissue and muscles and make essential chemicals. But, protein also helps keep us full and gives us the energy to sustain us throughout the day. Do you find that the days that you skip or skimp on breakfast, you find yourself with constant hunger throughout the day? That’s because eating a protein-packed breakfast keeps you fuller for longer, meaning less of those snack cravings.
Some people don’t feel hungry right away in the morning- which is fine! Although some people report that eating breakfast within an hour of waking up is the best way to go, it’s essential to listen to your body. However, eating a breakfast packed with protein is an excellent way to lessen your hunger throughout the day and speed up your metabolism.
And if you don’t have the time to make breakfast every morning, that doesn’t mean that eating a healthy breakfast is out of the question. Meal prep is key! A great source of protein for breakfast is eggs. There are about 6 grams of protein in one egg, and even if you don’t have time to cook in the morning, eggs are great for meal prep. Make a batch of hard-boiled eggs at the beginning of the week and grab two and a piece of toast on the way out the door. Or, you can meal prep healthy egg breakfast sandwiches to bring with you to school or work. If eggs aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of ways to get protein in the morning. Chia pudding is perfect for meal prep and will last you throughout the week, same with smoothies that you can make it baggies to throw into the blender with liquid for a quick protein shake. A lack of time doesn’t mean a lack of nutrients!
Eating protein is essential with every meal, but you definitely shouldn’t skimp on breakfast. Just make sure you have a good source of protein with every meal. Whether you’re plant-based or not, there are endless ways to get enough protein in your diet. So, next time you claim you “don’t have time” to make breakfast in the morning, remember this: meal prep is your best friend, and breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.
