Locked into the habits of a Western lifestyle, many people either restrict themselves in their choices for breakfast food ideas simply because of habits of a perceived norm or by the information around them, and I’m talking about advertising.  Media bombards us with breakfast cereals to eat at breakfast.  Western continental traditions of eggs and bacon, toast, and jam.

Time to break away and explore your diversity, and probably more importantly, your freedom of choice that will be better for you, for both mind and body.

The underside of breakfast cereals

• Ultra-refined grains: The term ‘whole grains’ is loosely applied and can represent either the grains and seeds intact or ground down to a powder to be reshaped (such as Nutrigrain or fruit loops). The state of the grains used will greatly affect its absorption and quality of fiber.
• High glycemic index and sugar content: “Giving you the energy you need to start the day”, usually means two things: Sugar is added, and you’ll see this in the ingredients lists and the nature of the processed grains allows for quick absorption into the blood stream. This ‘high glycemic index’ greatly increases insulin and blood sugars, which is one of the hallmarks of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Sedates the Brain: Carbohydrates (sugars), although provide an energy form, also releases chemicals in the brain the are calming. Handy for helping you sleep and one of TFs reasons to always include carbohydrates in your meals to aid sleep.  But if you read the history of John Harvey Kellogg, and the development of his cereals, you’ll be surprised of the background reason why he invented Corn Flakes, and it wasn’t for breakfast, health, and energy.
• Corn, wheat, and soy: Most breakfast cereals are made of these grains.  And the majority of them are laced with chemicals and pesticides and in wheat’s case, with gluten.  All of these serve as a backward step in your health.  And also the above mentioned processing into a powder, raising the glycemic index.

What’s for breakfast then?

Returning to a primal way of eating, that includes fresh fruits and vegetables and natural cuts of meats (including eggs) is the way to go.  At TF, and especially our nutrition bootcamps, adopting the single ingredient method, and bringing food together yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself.  However, it can be daunting to make a change like this.  Here are some points you can follow to making the change for yourself:

• Fruits and nuts are the simplest and least preparation needed. They’re easy but limited on diversity.  But at least they give you an option on the go or when you are down on your preparation.
• Eggs can be cooked in so many ways with other ingredients, flavours, and spices; explore them.
• You can have chicken, salmon, and other meats for breakfast. There is no law against it and forget what other people say.  You’re not trying to please them.  This is your health.
• Just like meats, vegetables, such as blanched spinach, tomato, pan-fried asparagus, zucchini, capsicum etc.
• Draw upon the ideas of your like-minded colleagues. Look at the pictures of other people’s food ideas that they post on the FB site and try them yourself or inspire your own new ideas (and share them).

The Western style of eating, especially since WW2, has drastically change the way we eat, to one of convenience, and a false sense of health.  Food has become a commodity and a dollar value.  It’s no longer an element of health because it’s a business now-a-days.  You have to take your health back by making your own choices, not the choices the food industry are trying to tell you are good for you.

References:

https://main.poliquingroup.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/1581/Why_Cereal_For_Breakfast_Is_One_Of_The_Worst_Choices.aspx

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/32042/corn-flakes-were-invented-part-anti-masturbation-crusade

https://www.savorylotus.com/3-ugly-truths-about-breakfast-cereal/