Breakfast is touted as the most important meal of the day, but a balanced diet is just as important.
That’s why two nutritionists have revealed the best breakfast foods to avoid if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Dietician Natalie Forester said so The sun that choosing natural, unprocessed foods to start the day should always be your first step.
Natalie said, “If there’s a packaged product you want to consume, check the ingredients first and ask yourself, Can I imagine this ingredient growing?” – And continue from there.’
Nutritionist Rebekah Blakely says Brits should ditch flavored instant oatmeal packs because they’re actually loaded with sugar (stock image)
Processed breakfast foods
For an optimal diet and healthy living, Natalie warns that it’s best to skip most processed foods. Things like cakes, pastries, and cookies are best avoided as they contain a lot of trans fat, which can increase your risk of chronic disease.
The NHS adds that buying processed foods can lead people to eat more than recommended amounts of sugar, salt and fat, as they may not be aware of how much has been added to the foods they buy and eat.
These foods may also be higher in calories due to the high amounts of added sugars or fats.
White bread and refined grains
Let’s face it, some mornings time is a luxury we just don’t have – leading us to opt for quick hunger fixes like a slice of toast.
However, Natalie says that white bread and refined grains lack nutrients and fiber, so you should opt for whole-wheat or sprouted breads, bagels, and quinoa.
In addition, processed white bread is often shunned by health experts because of its low nutritional value.
White bread is made from refined flour, which goes through a milling process to remove the bran and germ. When it goes through this process, many of the beneficial nutrients are removed from the flour.
Nutritionist Natalie Forester says things like white bread and refined grains are deficient in nutrients and fiber, so we should opt for whole-grain versions instead (stock image)
Flavored oats
Dietitian Rebekah Blakely adds another bombshell to the list that will make you clean out the closet.
The expert says you should throw out the flavored instant oatmeal packages, because these seemingly healthy oats are actually loaded with sugar.
She adds that regular oats contain zero to one gram of sugar, while flavored packs often contain 11 to 14 grams of sugar.
So instead, have plain oats to which you can add fresh fruit.
You probably think time is of the essence and getting behind the stove every morning to whip up a plate of oatmeal just isn’t enough.
So Rebekah says you can still cook plain oats in the microwave, and if you really want to stick with instant oatmeal packets, just opt for the original, unflavored version.
Low-fat peanut butter
The childhood favorite is made from ground peanuts – often roasted first – before being mixed into a thick paste.
It’s also a great way to get some protein in the morning, but if you go for the lower-fat option, the expert warns you might be making a mistake.
Rebekah recommends that we buy whole peanut butter as it is known to be healthier for your heart, eyes and immune system.
She said, “Yes, peanut butter is about 70 percent fat, but it’s mostly monounsaturated fat which is heart healthy and you get a good source of fat-soluble vitamin E, an antioxidant important for eye health, heart and immune system.’
Danish pastries
Unfortunately, another breakfast favorite made the list, but here’s why you should put the sweet treat on the shelf.
Natalie says that while Danish pastries can be wonderfully tempting, they’re packed with calories, sugar, and saturated fat.
They say everything in moderation right? But remember that these can be harmful to your health if consumed in large quantities. A single pastry can contain up to 500 calories or more.
Opt for a healthy alternative to a chia bar with added fruit, which Natalie says is sure to cure your sweet fix.