18 ways to make breakfast healthier

       


We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But do you know why?

Eating a healthy meal first thing has been shown to increase attention span and the ability to concentrate. Physically, after a night's rest, it gives you a kick-start of energy. Ensure you start the day with a healthy breakfast and you'll feel satisfied, be more focussed and keep mid-morning hunger pangs at bay.

A simple breakfast of cereal and milk can provide you with valuable vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin B6, riboflavin, folic acid and iron. These vitamins and minerals are important for: strong bones and teeth healthy nerves and muscles healthy red blood cell formation; good for healthy eyes, hair, skin and nails amongst other things

Complement a cereal breakfast with a healthy fruit juice - the vitamin C is not only good for you on its own, it helps the body absorb iron.

Here are some more great tips for breakfast that fits your appetite and your schedule.

Spice up your cereal
Skip the milk and pour yoghurt over your usual bowl of cereal for a different kind of calcium boost. Add a handful of your favourite cereal directly to the yoghurt container for a portable version Don't like dairy? Splash some orange or grapefruit juice over your flakes instead Tired of raisin bran? Top cereal with fresh fruit in season, such as currants, grapes or slices of peach. Go the dried route with dried cherries or cranberries. Or add nuts like slivered almonds or cashews for crunch Your favorite fruit's not in season? Get tinned fruit packed in its own juices for sweetness without added sugar Give toast and bagels a boost
For a light bite, spread a thin layer of margarine or Marmite on hot toast or a bagel Make a bagel melt: tuna topped with swiss or cheddar and toasted under a broiler Get your full English breakfast in a handy package by frying up rashers, scrambled eggs and mushrooms, sandwiching in between two bagel halves or bread slices and wrapping in a paper towel to avoid spills Add colour and vitamins to a bagel and cream cheese by topping with fresh tomato slices, salsa, chopped red and green peppers or fresh strawberries Love cream cheese but don't like the calories? Try low-fat or no-fat cottage cheese instead Make these breakfast bites ahead of time
Banana and almond muffins Blueberry muffins Fruit salad with yoghurt dressing Breakfast smoothies Kedgeree Pancakes Hash browns Soho omelettes More breakfast ideas from iVillagers