When you’re trying to eat right, choosing what to consume can be a challenge.
As “the most important meal of the day,” let’s start by setting the record straight with breakfast. Most people know that cereal with colorful marshmallows and gooey icing-drenched cinnamon buns are not part of a healthy breakfast. But then what? What is healthful and what could be causing more harm than good are often mixed up in myths. Somehow word spread that X, Y, and Z are solid choices while other foods are diet disasters. And guess what? Many of these long-held notions are not accurate. Let’s bust some of the myths that have been messing with your morning meal.
Oranges do have lots of Vitamin C- about 78% of the daily recommendation). They are part of many balanced breakfasts, and most people think the best source of Vitamin C is indeed the orange. The truth? There are other healthful foods that are packed with even more of this vitamin. One example is yellow peppers. They have more than twice the Vitamin C of an orange in just half a cup. Slice some up and toss into an omelet. Breakfast is served and it’s super healthful. And speaking of omelets…
If you’ve been tossing the yolks because you’ve feared they’d wreak havoc on your cholesterol, it’s time to take another crack at consuming the entire egg. Eggs are a wholesome source of protein and omega-3s, and although the yolk contains cholesterol, it has been cleared of its previous correlation to high blood cholesterol. It’s more likely to be trans fats and added sugars that cause your cholesterol to spike, not the dietary cholesterol found in egg yolks. Not to mention, all-white scrambled eggs aren’t all that appetizing. So, as long as you’re otherwise healthy, a yolk or two every now and then is an egg-cellent choice. Served with some golden brown whole grain toast, the whites and the yolks are finally back together for breakfast. But a little more on toast…
Before every brunch-loving millennial goes mad…this “myth” has some wiggle room. When prepared with nutrition in mind, avocado toast can be quite nutritious. An appropriate serving of sliced or smashed avocado (1/3 medium), real whole grain toast, and some diced tomatoes, onions, etc. make for a balanced breakfast that’s full of healthy fats and fiber, fills you up, and tastes great. But when was the last time you saw such a display of simplicity in a restaurant portion of avocado toast? Often piled plentifully with an entire avocado (or more), buttered or oiled bread, creamy sauces, cheese, and who-knows-what-else, “avocado toast” turns into something closer to a fast-food meal in terms of calories, fat, and sodium. Probably better to stick to your homemade avocado toast with your morning cuppa Joe. Wait…is coffee OK?
If you can’t make it through the morning without your java fix, hearing about how “bad” it is for you only makes your desire run deeper. Be it a habit or just a warm hug that starts you off on the right foot, coffee drinking is part of so many folks’ mornings. And the good news is – like most things, it’s not bad for you in moderation. Unless you have a problem tolerating caffeine, coffee stimulates the brain for increased alertness as it lifts one’s mood and spirits. While you may not feel great about the amount of money you spend at the coffeeshop every day, at least you can have the peace of mind that your mug is dispelling a myth.
Stay tuned to vybe’s blogs for more information and interest pieces like these. ‘Till then, bon appétit to a healthy breakfast!
Be well, but if you’re ever in need of quality healthcare, stop into your local vybe urgent care and be seen.
