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Breakfast should be healthy, eaten
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Registered
dietitian Janet Carter will be available to answer nutrition questions
during Wellness Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 in the
Children’s Hospital lobby.
by Janet Carter, Outpatient Dietitian
Heart Health Program
While no one meal is necessarily more important than any other,
research has shown that those who eat a healthy breakfast reap many
benefits, including better concentration and problem-solving skills;
enhanced strength and greater physical endurance; tendency to weigh
less; and incentive and desire to consume nutritious foods throughout
the day.
Some people claim they aren’t hungry in the morning, or they just don’t
feel like eating early in the day; probably because of being without
food during sleep hours. While getting up to eat during the night is
not advised, we should make breakfast the one meal in which we break
the “I’m not hungry, so I won’t eat” rule.
For those who don’t like breakfast food, healthy breakfast choices may
also include leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. While college
students may thrive on leftover pizza, a better alternative could be
soup, a favorite for some breakfast-eaters. What ever the selection for
breakfast, it makes no difference as long as it’s healthy and
nutritious.
A healthy breakfast should include whole grains (whole grain bread,
waffles, and ready-to-eat cereal offer more fiber, vitamins, and
minerals); fruits and/or vegetables (including fruit and/or vegetables
in your breakfast can add vital nutrients, fiber and important
vitamins, such as vitamins C and B); dairy ( low-fat milk and
unsweetened yogurt to provide calcium); lean protein (eggs, Canadian
bacon, turkey bacon, and other sources of lean protein to keep
you from feeling hungry for several hours).
If lack of time is the barrier between you and breakfast, try the following:
- Prepare
your day the night before. Set out clothes, pack your lunch (or your
kids’ lunches), etc.; so you have more time in the morning for a
healthy breakfast.
- Set out the non-perishable items of your breakfast the night before to cut down on the morning, breakfast rush.
- Plan to have something in the car for the trip to work, or right away upon arrival to work.
Stop by the Health 1st Wellness Wednesday table Feb. 4 for more information on the benefits of breakfast.
Upcoming Health 1st events
- Healthy
Habits Newsletter: Check out the Health 1st new newsletter. In the
latest edition, information on events for February as well as helpful
tips in leading a healthy lifestyle are included. This newsletter will
come out every two months and can be picked up in the Health 1st
literature rack by the cafeteria or in the Wellness Center.
- Worksite
Screening: Get a thorough, preventive health screening on Feb. 12 in
the Wellness Center. The cost is $15 for subscribers of one of the
state health plans, and $42 for others. Spouses and dependents can
participate as well.
- Work
It Off: Lose weight the healthy way and do it during lunch. This is a
10-week weight loss program led by the Weight Management Center. It’s
for employees only and costs $98. If you attend eight of 10 sessions,
half of your money will be returned to you. It starts Wednesday, Feb.
25.
For information on any of the event, call 792-9959 or e-mail health1st@musc.edu.
Friday, Jan. 30, 2009
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