Okay, collegiettes, I don’t want to hear it anymore. “I don’t have time to eat breakfast before my 8 AM” or “I’m just not really a breakfast person.” Etcetera, etcetera. I’m not trying to bore you with another nutrition lecture that your mom and health teachers have been giving you since before time, but the truth is, the coined phrase, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” is no myth.
Eating a proper breakfast is the best way to fuel your body and your brain for the difficult school day ahead. There are many benefits to eating breakfast, including improved brain function, long lasting energy, and reduced hunger throughout the day. Eating breakfast has been proven to improve memory, focus, and alertness, all of which are essential to getting the most out of each class. In addition, research has shown that those who eat breakfast are less likely to snack throughout the day and overeat at lunch and dinner. And when I say to eat breakfast, I don’t mean a S’mores Pop-Tart, a chocolate chip muffin, or a bowl of Frosted Flakes. If you want to get the best results from your breakfast, you need to make smart choices. Sometimes it can be a struggle to make it to the Pit before class, so here are some easy breakfast quickies you can prepare in your dorm room:
1. Instant Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great breakfast option and can be ready in three minutes or less! Just add water, pop it in the microwave, and voilà: a bowl of nutritious goodness awaits you! Oatmeal is loaded with whole grains, which contain fiber to keep you full and focused. Make your oatmeal fancy by adding a dollop of peanut butter or a handful of almonds for some protein and good fats. Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to enhance communication between brain cells, leading to greater memory retention.
2. Yogurt and Granola
Low fat diary products are packed with protein and B vitamins that help you concentrate and work efficiently. Yogurt also contains vitamin D, which supports memorization. Like oatmeal, granola is full of whole grains. When picking your yogurt, be wary of the fruit flavored kinds, as they usually contain added sugar and less protein. Low fat Greek yogurt is the best bet. I personally like FAGE Total 2%, which contains 20 grams of protein and 4 grams of healthy fat. Also, be cautious when picking your granola, as it can contain lots of hidden sugars as well. Some of the best brands include: Love Crunch, KIND, and Purely Elizabeth. If you’re not a big yogurt person, cottage cheese is a great substitute!
3. Whole Wheat Bagel Thins
When smeared with some peanut butter or cream cheese, bagel thins are another quick and yummy option filled with whole grains, protein, and fiber!
4. Orgain Nutritional Shakes
As much as I am a fan of eating breakfast, I do understand that sometimes it’s not plausible (like when you have a 9 AM class and keep pressing “snooze” until 8:50 AM). So, something you can keep in your room that’s quick to grab on the go is a nutritional shake. Orgain shakes contain 16 grams of protein and over 20 vitamins and minerals, and they come in yummy flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate Fudge, Strawberries and Cream, and Iced Café Mocha. Orgain products can be purchased at Whole Foods and Harris Teeter.
*Article by Caroline Friezo
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/oatmeal-benefits?page=2
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/10/whole-grains-health-benefits_n_5655022.html
http://orgain.com/about-us/our-story/
http://thomasbreads.com/products/100-whole-wheat-bagel-thins-bagels
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-yogurt
http://www.medicaldaily.com/benefits-nuts-eating-10-grams-nuts