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Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, considering whatever you choose to eat in the morning can set the tone for your diet for the rest of the day. So choosing a healthy breakfast is important for everyone. Unfortunately, that is much easier said than done. In reality, we often prioritize convenience over health–especially in the morning.
With that in mind, keep reading for the one thing you’re doing to your breakfast that’s actually making it super unhealthy.
Filling Up On Sugar
The best way to eat healthy is to center your diet on whole, unprocessed foods.
Unfortunately, many breakfast foods do not fit this criteria. Rather, they are deceptively high in sugar, making for an unhealthy start to your day. Eating too much sugar is never a good idea, but it can have a really negative impact in the mornings. Sugar will not fill you up as much as other foods, so you're more likely to eat more. Plus, it makes you crave more sugar, adding another obstacle to eating healthy throughout the rest of the day.
Although we might know sugar is a bad idea for breakfast, it can still be a challenge to know which foods are the culprits.
It's not just donuts and cinnamon rolls you need to avoid--many other breakfast foods are less obvious sources of sugar, and can have just as much of a detrimental effect.
For example, if you are opting for a bowl of cereal in the morning, you might want to reconsider. Although there are some exceptions, most boxed cereals contain extra sugar and calories, which can be a problem for your mornings.
Even "healthy" cereals can be high in sugar and a problem for your health.
Healthline explains, "Many breakfast cereals are even higher in sugar than cookies and desserts. Adding whole grains or artificial vitamins and minerals does not make them a healthy choice."
Granola and granola bars are similarly high in sugar, and you should definitely double check their nutrition labels before buying them.
This does not mean that you have to give up on a convenient breakfast altogether. First of all, you can still eat cereal and granola bars in moderation. Plus, there are other ways to make an easy breakfast minus the added sugar.
Try meal prepping your own granola to control its sugar content. You can also start making oatmeal instead, which usually takes under 5 minutes--even with fruit and nut butter toppings.
