Thursday, January 11, 2007

Don't skip breakfast

“Children and adults do better on attention and memory tests [when they eat breakfast],” says dietician and exercise physiologist at Health Magazine Samantha Heller. “It helps prevent or lower the risk of obesity and heart disease and diabetes so what you want to do is make sure you get some breakfast in. It doesn't have to be big.”

Heller recommends you have a combination of protein, whole grains and a little good fat in the morning. One option? An egg white omelet with vegetables cooked in olive oil on whole wheat toast.

“The whole grains are really good for you,” says Heller. “They give you the vitamins and minerals and fiber that you need and some people only get their whole grains at breakfast so we encourage that.”

Heller says a diet rich in whole grains has been proven to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Other food choices include: whole grain cereal with low fat milk, a whole wheat bagel with tofu or low fat cream cheese even a peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread. You may also want to supplement your meal with fruits.

For more tips on nutritious meals, pick up the latest issue of Health magazine.