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Breakfast should be healthy, eaten


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



The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.