Sure, sometimes you just need a pile of chocolate chip pancakes or a bowl full of the cereal that has you flashing back to Sunday mornings in front of the TV bingeing on cartoons and sugar. But keep in mind that these should be once-in-while treats, not everyday fare. Some breakfast foods to avoid or limit:
• Sugary cereals: That bowl of colorful, sweetened cereal with a cartoon on the box might have as much as 12 g of added sugar Instead, choose a cereal that has 100% whole grain or whole food (such as whole-grain oats, wheat, corn, buckwheat, rice or legumes) listed as the first ingredient. One good choice: Classic Cheerios, which are made from 100% whole grain oats and have just 2 g of sugar per serving.
• Processed meats: Meats that have been processed by salting, curing, and smoking, such as bacon and sausage, can contribute to inflammation, which is linked with cancer, dementia, and heart disease. If you want to have some animal protein with your breakfast, eggs, sliced turkey, or salmon are a better option.
• Sugary juices: Fresh-squeezed orange juice can a vitamin-packed way to start your day. But many of the juices available in the supermarket are packed with sugar, and we know that sugar-sweetened beverages are one of the leading contributors to obesity in the USA. Stick with 100% juice, water, coffee, or tea instead.
