Guest Post: 4 Superfoods to Super-Start Your Day

 

As September marks Better Breakfast Month, it's time to celebrate one of the most (if not the most) important meals of the day. The benefits that come from breakfast are vast vital to our health, and it is one of the healthiest habits to have. Depending on when you wake up, many of us may feel half-asleep during our first meal, but it is important to make sure we are filling our stomachs with nutrient-rich superfoods to jump-start the day.

Leading nutritionist Michele McRae from Rainbow Light has created 4 superfood-filled breakfast tips that are packed with vitamins and minerals that are sure to help you start your morning off right - during Better Breakfast Month and beyond. With 18 years in the field of holistic, natural health and nutrition, Michele helps her patients and readers to feel their best every day through eating a clean, healthy and organic diet.

 

Nutrient-rich breakfast items to fuel your day!

1. Soothing Sips
   Green tea usually gets all the attention, but black tea is packed with theaflavins, antioxidants that a study from Rutgers University in New Jersey suggests may speed up recovery from muscle soreness after exercise. Drinking a cup of any brand of black team may also reduce risk of heart attack - plus it's a great way to warm up on a chilly fall morning!

2. Go with Grains:
   If you're looking for a heartier breakfast choice, go with the powerful superfood combo of Oats and Greek yogurt. The oats are a source of soluble fiber which helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, in addition to lowering cholesterol. Greek Yogurt has double the amount of protein as regular yogurt, in addition to probiotics that aid digestion and boost the immune system. However, regular yogurt has roughly 10% more calcium than Greek yogurt, so if calcium is your focus, you might want to stick with regular yogurt!

   To add some color, and antioxidants to your bowl, add some blueberries into the mix. In addition to antioxidants, this popular superfood contains potassium and Vitamin C. It also has a high water content, which makes them a great source of hydration for your skin and entire body.

3. Pile on the Protein
   If you're looking for extra protein in your breakfast, an omelet is a great choice! I recommend Egg Whites, which have a high amount of lean protein that will keep you fuller, longer. They also help you maintain strong bones, muscles, nails, and hair. Along with your eggs, Spinach is a leafy-green packed with antioxidants that will make a great addition to your dish. Just one cup of Spinach provides about twice the daily requirement of Vitamin K, which plays an important role in cardiovascular and bone health. Toss in some sliced tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta cheese and your omelet will be filled with enough nutrients to get you through the day!

4. Fresh, Flavorful Fruit
   Fruit is a great addition to any breakfast - especially Grapefruit. It's packed with antioxidants such as Vitamin C that provide anti-aging benefits, boost immunity, as well as help in lowering cholesterol. All you need is a half of grapefruit to get all its nutrients - and feel free to sprinkle a little sugar on top for added flavor!
   
   Michele McRae, MS, CN - Certified Nutritionist at Rainbow Light:
   Michele McRae is a nutritional counselor, certified nutritionist and formulator at Rainbow Light. With 18 years in the Nutrition field, Michele's firm belief in holistic, natural health has allowed her to understand and perfect her formula for health success with patients in the form of eating organic, healthy whole-foods and partnering a clean diet with natural supplements and vitamins. McRae graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Nutrition Science and Dietetics degree. Her personal areas of interest include addressing obesity and its related health complications, including heart disease, diabetes and joint problems, through the use of effective, side-effect free nutritional supplementation.