Breakfast Cereal and Weight Control
Many studies have also shown that when breakfast cereal is consumed as part of an overall healthful lifestyle, it can play a role in maintaining a healthy body weight.
A Harvard study of more than 17,000 men found that those who frequently ate breakfast cereal -- both refined grain and whole-grain types -- consistently weighed less than those who rarely or never ate breakfast cereal.
Another study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, evaluated the diets of adults and found that breakfasts of ready-to-eat cereal were associated with lower BMIs in women than other, higher-fat breakfast meals.
Choosing the Right Breakfast Foods
This just goes to show how important it is to choose the right foods for breakfast. A healthy breakfast meal should contain a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, and lean protein.
Even if you think you don’t have time to eat breakfast, there are grab-and-go options that fill the bill. Some quick and healthy choices include:
A veggie omelet and a piece of whole-wheat toast
A whole-wheat English muffin with low-fat cheese, a scrambled egg, and slice of tomato or lean ham
Smoothie made with fruit and low-fat yogurt
Salmon on 1/2 whole-grain bagel with light cream cheese
Whole-grain cereal with fresh fruit and low-fat milk
Oatmeal made with skim milk, raisins and nuts, with 4 ounces of orange juice
Low-fat yogurt and a piece of fresh fruit
Yogurt smoothie and breakfast bar
Hard-boiled egg and a banana