Rise and Dine
Source/Author: SAGE Dining
May 11, 2017
At SAGE, we believe that healthy meals are necessary for strong academic and athletic performance. And although we’ve got you covered at lunchtime, breakfast is the way to prepare for a successful day ahead, arguably making it the most important meal of the day.
Besides supplying your body with immediate energy, a good breakfast:
- boosts your immune system,
- lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
- reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease,
- reduces the risk of anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity, and
- increases attention span, memory power, and creativity.
Breakfast is also a great time to make sure you get enough iron, a key nutrient for academic performance. Iron can be found in standard omelet add-ins like spinach and ham, breakfast burrito components like chicken and beans, and even in cold cereals. The vast majority of cereals sold in North America are enriched; in fact, a single-serving bowl of some cereals can give 50% of the average adult’s recommended daily intake.
An ideal breakfast includes a whole grain (e.g., whole-wheat toast, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), a food with some protein and fat (e.g., yogurt, milk, cheese, peanut butter, eggs), and a piece of fruit, or four ounces of 100% fruit juice.
Don’t underestimate the power of breakfast! With a little preparation you can have a smooth morning.
