“I started eating breakfast.”

Me, “That’s it?!?”

“Yep.”

This guy has the right idea

So what are your best choices? Anything with low calorie density, which means you get a lot of bulk (yay fiber!) for fewer calories. Here are a few of my favorite kick-ass-cheap-and-easy breakfast ideas:

• Oatmeal with low fat milk and prunes (aka Colon Blow)
• A slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and banana
• Low fat yogurt and a piece of fruit, whatever is in season
• Whole wheat tortilla, a few slices of smoked turkey and some low fat cheese rolled up

The idea is to combine something with fiber with a low fat protein. I confess that when I’m regularly exercising I need two small “breakfast snacks” before noon. I usually start with yogurt and save the high fiber snack for when I get to my desk. Spreading it out like that helps keep my hunger at bay until lunch.

Will you accept a breakfast challenge? Try to eat breakfast at least five days a week for the next four weeks. I’d love to know if you see any difference in your health, whether it’s weight loss, more energy, or a reduction in snacking, binging and cravings.

Photo credit Elston

While most nutritionists say whole grains are best, it’s just not practical for us busybodies to sit down with a bowl of cereal before we race out the door. My favorite get-in-my-belly-quick breakfast snack is yogurt, which I’m sure comes as a huge shock to you. I can slurp it down in a minute or eat spoonfuls while I’m doing some other task (usually my makeup). I have a pretty gnarly commute, so if I don’t eat my yogurt by the time I get to my desk I’m ready to bite into my own hand. If you don’t like yogurt, no problem. A hard boiled egg, whole grain toast, even one of those cereal bars is better than nothing. Just go easy on the pastries and donuts.

I want to be clear, I’m not advocating that you ONLY eat a container of yogurt for breakfast. Once you get settled into work you should try to eat another small meal, or “second breakfast” as the Hobbits like to call it. After about an hour of email and the usual morning catch up, I heat up some oatmeal or some other more substantial breakfast treat. This is the part of the day that I shoot for a FIBER BLAST. Oatmeal, flax seeds and prunes are a favorite combo of mine. Let’s just say it keeps things moving.

TMI?

Just to prove to you that you can start eating breakfast, even if you ONLY eat a container of yogurt, I do something kind of gross in the video below. I’m no video expert, so I apologize for the half-assed, half-headed offering. In the interest of not making myself puke, I only had one shot at this today.

My challenge to you is this: if your habit is skipping breakfast, start with a small snack every morning for a week. See how it affects your routine, and better yet, how it makes you feel.