Breakfast is often regarded as being the most important meal of the day, yet many people skip it altogether, perhaps settling for a cup of coffee—and in some case an early morning cigarette.
Smoothies are the way to go if you are pushed for time.
Many smokers would die before skipping their first (health damaging) smoke of the day, yet are quite happy to skip their (nutrient-providing) first meal of the day.
That fact alone says a lot about human nature, but smokers are not the only ones who are guilty of depriving their bodies of important early morning nourishment.
At the other end of the scale many people who live otherwise healthy lifestyles, eating sensibly and taking regular exercise, often neglect the all-important meal that should set them up for the day.
For those who do take breakfast, the first meal of the day often consists of cereal and/or some toast. Such a choice supplies the body with valuable carbohydrates that can provide energy for several hours.
Though not such a healthy option, even a traditional early morning fry-up will provide the body with much-needed nutrients, and help reduce the likelihood of an early morning burnout that leaves the body feeling listless and interferes with productivity at work.
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Why Do People Skip Breakfast?
People skip breakfast for many reasons.
They may have picked up bad habits from their parents or simply feel too tired to pop a pan full of oats onto the stove or fiddle with boxes of cereal (often loaded with hidden sugars and, in the case of granola, hidden fats).
Yet most people have time to prepare a cup of coffee, hoping a caffeine buzz will help pop open their tired eyes. It can take a few minutes to boil a kettle or warm up a percolator though. In the same space of time it is quite possible to prepare a health-boosting smoothie.
Why Smoothies are a Good Breakfast Option
• Can help provide the five pieces of fruit and vegetable recommended per day
• Provides carbohydrate (for energy)
• Provides important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Quick and easy to prepare
• Sets you up for the day
• THEY TASTE GREAT!
Depending on the ingredients used, smoothies can also provide valuable protein necessary for muscle growth and cellular repair
Five Smoothies to Boost the Health and Prevent Early Morning Burnout
1. Banana, Green Tea, and Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie
A healthy breakfast option that provides vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Green tea and blueberries are also rich in antioxidants, and green tea offers the additional benefit of being a powerful fat burner.
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 1 x green tea bag
- 1 small cup of the milk of your choice (cow’s, soy, almond, etc.)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 banana (preferably not too ripe)
- 1 small pot Greek Yoghurt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Preparation: Tear open the tea bag and empty the contents into a blender, followed by the other ingredients and blend until the desired consistency is achieved
2. Oats & Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie
Good for providing protein and complex carbs (for ongoing energy).
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 1 large banana (not too ripe)
- 1 tablespoon rolled oats
- 1 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 cup of the milk of your choice (cow’s, soy, almond, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Preparation: Tear open the tea bag and empty the contents into a blender, followed by the other ingredients and blend until the desired consistency is achieved.
3. Fruit & Wheatgerm Breakfast Smoothie
Great for providing all around nutrition and setting you up for the day.
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 1 cup of the fruit of your choice (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries etc.)
- 1/2 banana
- 1 cup of the milk of your choice (cow’s, soy, almond, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon wheat germ
- 1 teaspoon honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Preparation: Add the ingredients to the blender and blend until the desired consistency is achieved
4. Prune & Banana Breakfast Smoothie
A great energy and fiber provider that takes just minutes to make and will have you feeling in tip-top condition for the rest of the day.
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 1/2 cup prune juice
- 1/2 cup of the milk of your choice (cow’s, soy, almond, etc.)
- 1 ice cube (optional)
- 1 small banana (not too ripe)
- 1 tablespoon almonds
- 1 scoop whey protein (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Preparation: Add the ingredients to the blender and blend until the desired consistency is achieved.
5. Strawberry & Oats Breakfast Smoothie
Provides an initial energy boost courtesy of the honey/sugar, which is backed up by the slow-release energy from the complex carbs in the oats and fruit.
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 1 cup of the milk of your choice (cow’s, soy, almond, etc.)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 6 strawberries
- 1 small banana (not too ripe)
- 2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Preparation: Add the ingredients to the blender and blend until the desired consistency is achieved
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