Against the grain: Healthy ways to serve grains for breakfast

We've all heard it - "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Why is that true? During the long fast of the night's sleeping hours, our body's metabolism slows down and goes into what might be called an energy saving mode. When we wake and have a healthy breakfast, we stimulate the metabolism to fire up again, powering ourselves and getting the fuel we need for the day ahead. So for optimal health, we need a good breakfast and whole grains are one of the best options.

Super food!

Whole grains are a super food and an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, the body's main fuel. They are loaded with fiber and are rich in vitamins B and E, are trans fat free, and break down slowly to keep us full and energized for long periods of time... and taste great!

Make time

No time for breakfast? It just takes minutes to pour a bowl of healthy whole grain cereal. Add some sliced fruit and low-fat milk or soy and you can be on your way. It's quick, easy and the smart way to start your day. It only takes two minutes to cook oat bran, and a serving (120 calories) has all the nutrition that your body craves. Toss on some honey, almonds, cinnamon or sliced banana for a deliciously mild and smooth breakfast. The cinnamon is an even more powerful antioxidant than berries, so add it whenever you can!

Musli is a cereal with whole grain oats, wheat, rye, barley, sunflower and flax seeds, and nuts - almonds and walnuts. It also has raisins and dates for a delicately sweet taste. Its coarse consistency testifies to the good fiber it contains, and preparation for cooking it is under five minutes. This is a deliciously sweet and nutty breakfast, especially satisfying when served with apple chunks and a dash of cinnamon.

Find options

Other good breakfast options that meet the need for speed in the mornings: whole grain waffles topped with peanut butter or fruit, bran muffins with yogurt and berries, hummus on a whole wheat pita, whole wheat toast with low-fat cream cheese and fruit, or a whole grain bagel.

Breakfast sets the tone for how your body will perform all day, so don't skip it! Whole grain cereals are perhaps the easiest and quickest choice and provide a good range of vitamins and nutrients while not adding a lot of cholesterol to the meal.

Stock your kitchen with healthy breakfast options so you'll be able to grab what you need in the morning rush. Passing up breakfast means you often consume more calories throughout the day, and breakfast boosts brain power! Kids who eat a healthy breakfast have a longer attention span, and better concentration and memory -- helping them succeed at their schoolwork. Everyone's mood and energy is improved with a healthy whole grain breakfast.

More breakfast ideas

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