What is the optimal mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fat to eat for breakfast?
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and many people believe that it should contain an equal amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. It's a natural belief, since a balanced meal would be the most healthful. But a growing body of research suggests that this isn't necessarily true—and it might not even be ideal.
Average American Breakfast
The average American breakfast today consists of cereal or toast with milk or juice and coffee or tea. It's a carbohydrate-heavy meal that provides little else in terms of nutrition. The simple logic behind its widespread popularity is that humans have been eating this way for centuries.
But what does the human body really need for breakfast? While some studies have shown that increasing protein in the morning has no effect on appetite later in the day, other research has shown that increasing fat during breakfast can help to reduce overall calories consumed at lunch (i.e., more fat in your breakfast means you're likely to eat less at lunch).
In addition, if we're looking at the effect on total calorie consumption throughout the day, one study found that eating cereal with milk and fruit for breakfast resulted in lower calorie consumption than eating eggs with toast and jam.
A Dietitian Can Help You Maintain Your Diet
A nutritionist can help you figure out how to balance your diet in a number of ways. All those dietary restrictions like eating gluten-free or limiting your sugar intake are great, but there's a lot more to health and wellness than that. The most holistic approach is to give you advice on how to eat for what your body needs—how much and what kind of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates.
Furthermore, a nutritionist can also help you figure out what foods are best for you based on your lifestyle and budget. Maybe you're living on campus during the school year and don't have access to a kitchen; in that case, a nutritionist can recommend the best foods for you to pick up at your local gas station or supermarket.
Perhaps you're someone who works long hours and doesn't have the time or energy to cook; then, they might suggest easy-to-make meals that you can whip up when it's time to eat.
Meal Planning
It all comes down to common sense: if we tell someone without any cooking experience that they need to make three balanced meals a day from scratch, they're not going to be able to do it. It would be like trying to teach math using Roman numerals.
A nutritionist can help you figure out the best way to balance your diet. I know it sounds complicated, but it's almost as simple as eating a healthy meal.
A nutritionist can help you figure out what your diet should look like by analyzing your current diet every step of the way, and creating a personalized plan that will get you where you want to go.
When you need help from a nutritionist and body trainer, contact Ike Cella. He can help you.
Ike Cella Nutrition Coaching
7891 S 6100 W
West Jordan, UT 84081
(801) 643-3878
