Spinach
Low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals, spinach is the ideal vegetable to add to your morning eggs for an easy boost to your metabolism while adding some density to your meal. “Spinach contains magnesium which is essential for speeding up your metabolism, and is full of fiber to keep you fuller for longer,” notes clinical dietitian Jessica Mason. “It also contains only 7 calories per cup making it the ultimate fat-free partner for your eggs.”
Magnesium is essential in the body for providing energy throughout your day as well as fueling your muscles to keep you strong. Not only this, but magnesium can also help to maintain heart health and regulate blood pressure, drastically improving your overall wellbeing.
While the number of calories you’re consuming each day is important in determining how easily you will create a deficit for weight loss, the quality of the calories is just as important, and spinach in combination with eggs can offer great benefits to your health. The protein from your eggs will help to increase satiety and keep you full in between meals, and you can consume high volumes of spinach for very few calories, bulking up your meal while reducing cravings.
Spinach is also a high fiber food, improving your digestion over time. It is important to note, however, that if you are prone to chronic inflammation you will be better served eating your spinach steamed rather than raw as it will be much easier to digest and less likely to cause a buildup of gas in your stomach.
It’s unlikely that eggs and spinach will be the only components of your breakfast, and what you pair these ingredients with can be equally as important in achieving healthy weight loss. Most balanced meals should contain a protein, fat, and carb source, and while eggs check off both protein and fat, you’ll benefit from adding a piece of toast or form of grain into your breakfast to keep you full for longer.
Mason warns to steer clear of pairing your eggs and veggies with white bread as it’s loaded with processed ingredients and minimal nutrients, but a whole-grain or whole-wheat option will add the most value to your meal. “These breads contain lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and will keep you feeling full for longer,” she says.
While eggs on their own are a perfectly viable breakfast option which will fill you up, nourish your muscles and promote weight loss, pairing them with spinach each morning can take your meal to the next level and even offer you the nutrients to reach your goals more quickly.
Particularly if you’re looking to speed up your metabolism to increase fat burning capabilities at rest, spinach is a great source of vitamins D, E, B12 and magnesium which will reduce cravings and keep you satisfied between meals, making it even easier to maintain the necessary calorie deficit for weight loss. Add them to a scramble or omelette alongside a piece of toast and you have the perfect balanced meal to kickstart your day.