This one is for the kiddos: What you eat for breakfast sets the tone for your day.
Parents, I get it… there’s no shame in a delicious speedy breakfast. A bowl of cereal, oatmeal, or a piece of buttered toast more easily fits with everyone’s hectic morning schedule but high carb breakfasts with little to no fiber, protein, healthy fat and a chock-full of synthetic vitamins, minerals and refined grains can cause a sharp spike in blood sugar levels, leaving everyone feeling wired and then tired and hungry, making it hard to focus.
Instead, offer up a glass of room temperature water upon waking, to rehydrate the cells, before that glass of milk, or juice and aim for something naturally rich in protein— be it scrambled, organic eggs, with a side of organic turkey bacon, cottage cheese, or yogurt with fresh blueberries and a drizzle of honey, or a sprouted piece of toast with sun butter and sliced banana.
Most kids are still growing until they hit 16, so it is essential to give their bodies something that will properly fuel that growth. When we provide the body with the proper nutrients it needs to thrive, we can establish more stable energy, moods, sleep and overall well-being.
Moms: This one's for you.
Back to school can be a chaotic time of the year. In some regards, it can feel like training for an Olympic sport. If you are like most of my patients with children, you often prioritize everyone else’s needs and settle for mediocre nourishment in between tennis matches and after-school activities.
Note to self: It is not selfish to prioritize your own well-being, in fact, it is paramount to being a good parent.
While there may be lunches to pack and never-ending schedule adjustments— this year, instead of waiting for January to reset, create a morning routine that offers balance.
Start your morning with at least 8 ounces of room temperature water, prior to caffeine and then, prioritize a simple, single ingredient protein before 11am, instead of nursing a coffee until lunch.
When you choose to enjoy a simple serving of protein, you can better balance blood sugar levels, prevent cortisol spikes and thus have more sustainable energy, enhance metabolism and prevent those 2:00pm energy lulls that have us thinking about carbs. Need some ideas? Try a Good Culture cottage cheese, Bellwether Sheep yogurt, or 1-2 fried organic eggs.
Find me @laurentgillan for more nutrition and wellness tips.