The Truth About Breakfast

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And it is....right? Right!...if you know what to eat.


1. True or False. Anything you eat for Breakfast is good as long as you're eating something.


2. True or False. Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs and a biscuit are the perfect meal to eat during breakfast time.


3. True or False. You should not eat "dinner" type foods for breakfast.


The answer to all three of these statements is "false."


The reason breakfast is very healthy and filling is because many people naturally eat foods that are high in fiber. Foods such as oatmeal, cereal and fruit. Food high in fiber gives you energy and curbs your appetite. Many of us in the African American community, however, eat the wrong types of food for breakfast.


Pork Bacon, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, french toast, pork sausage, scrapple, corned beef hash and sugary cereals are high in either fat, sugar and/or calories and low in fiber, nutrition and protein. This is the reason some of us will have a large meal and than feel hungry again 2 hours later.

When preparing breakfast for yourself, make sure the meal contains a lot of fiber and a lot of protein. If you want to eat a bowl of frosted mini wheat, a peach and scrambled eggs...go ahead. On the same token, if you want to have a piece of broiled salmon and a salad.....go ahead. Many other cultures eat what we would consider dinner foods for breakfast and it is perfectly okay. It is not uncommon for me to eat leftover dinner for breakfast. It is much better than eating pancakes and bacon.

So basically, in order to start your day with nutrition and energy without adding extra pounds, make sure you choose foods such as fruit, cereal with a lot of fiber, and lean proteins.