If you’re trying to lose excess body fat, you probably should be eating breakfast. Likewise, if you’re trying to gain muscle, you should be eating breakfast. In fact, most people will benefit from eating a high quality and nutritious breakfast no matter their health goals. Breakfast gives. But are all breakfasts made equal? As it turns out, definitely not. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to turn even the most conventional morning foods into a hearty, healthy, protein-filled breakfast that will help you start the day off right.
Wake Up! A Protein-Filled Breakfast is Waiting…
When you first open your eyes in the morning, your body is in a prime fat-burning state. This is because it’s been fasting all night as you sleep, relying on stored body fat to fuel cellular regeneration, muscle building, collagen synthesis, and all other sorts of wonderful things that happen as you catch those all-important Z’s.
“eating protein and fat in the morning is an excellent way to rev up your metabolism…”
The problem with a standard American breakfast is that most of it is comprised of empty calories: super sugary, processed carbohydrates that don’t offer a lot of nutritional benefits and actually promote body fat storage due to the way carbohydrates affect your metabolism and spike your blood sugar. That’s right: even your high fiber, whole grain cereal prepared with low-fat milk is way less beneficial when it comes to weight loss compared to something as simple as bacon and eggs. Why? Because eating protein and fat in the morning is an excellent way to rev up your metabolism without kicking you out of that fat-burning state. A protein-packed meal also keeps you feeling fuller longer, which can help you avoid those mid-morning temptations at work.
But let’s be real: cereal is yummy! Pancakes, waffles, croissants, donuts, and bagels taste good! Just because you’ve set some health and fitness goals doesn’t mean that you have to cut these food items out of your life forever. And while you definitely shouldn’t be having these types of foods often, there are ways to increase the protein power of some breakfast favorites so you can enjoy your morning faves every now and then without worrying about throwing yourself too far off track.
These Easy Recipes Kick Up The Protein in 3 of Your Favorite, Classic Breakfast Meals
In their conventional form, these 3 breakfast items are classically known as “empty calorie” meals. Check out these 3 recipes to easily pack these breakfast items with protein-packed ingredients to help you start the day off strong.
Spinach-Banana Protein Pancakes// Photo By: Runnin Srilankan
1) The Doughnut
Check out this wheat-free, soy-free, gluten-free strawberry shortcake doughnut recipe from the blog Fresh Fit N Healthy.
2) The Pancake
A flapjack never looked so good–packed with protein, greens, and healthy carbs! This recipe is like a spinach and banana smoothie in a pancake–delish!
3) The Bowl of Oatmeal
This old breakfast staple is as easy to change up as your outfit. For more protein and better taste, try this recipe that includes bananas, almond flour, and egg whites.
What’s your secret to a scrumptious protein-filled breakfast? Let us know in the comments below!
