Healthy breakfast snacks are an important way to start the day. An article in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition", says that skipping breakfast is associated with health-compromising behaviors such as behavioral dis-inhibition, infrequent exercise and smoking. Healthy breakfast snacks make breakfast convenient and nutritious.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a low fat healthy breakfast snack. It is packed full of dietary calcium to protect and strengthen bones. Made in ready-to-go containers, yogurt is a convenient breakfast snack that can be taken anywhere. Be sure to read nutrition labels carefully to avoid artificial sweeteners, added colors, preservatives and sugars. Plain or vanilla yogurt can be topped with fresh fruit or granola to add flavor, variety and texture.
Cereal, Protein or Ganola Bars
There are a variety of cereal, protein and granola bars on the market that make a healthy breakfast snack. Avoid any bars that contain marshmallows, caramel, chocolate chips or graham crumbs; those are closer to a chocolate bar and will cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Alternatively, choose bars made with oats or whole grains, soy, rice or whey protein, flax or hemp seeds, nuts or nut butter, dried fruit, pure fruit puree, and natural sweeteners. Good cereal, protein or granola bar choices are Kashi, Kellogg's nutri-grain, Nature's Valley, Nature's Path, The Simply Bar, Luna of Cliff bars.
Fruit Cups or Sauces To Go
Fruit cups or fruit sauces to-go are a nutritious and healthy breakfast snack. Individually packaged, and only 50 calories each, fruit cups or fruit sauces to go offer many of the benefits of fresh fruit; fiber, vitamins and anti-oxidants. They can be packed in a gym bag, stored at the office or kept at school as a healthy breakfast snack. There are now a variety of flavors; pineapple and mandarin, peach and pear, strawberry and kiwi, blueberry, mixed berry or traditional apple sauce.
Cheese
There are several varieties of cheese that make a healthy breakfast snack; cottage, riccotta, edam, havarti, feta, goat and mozzarella. Cheese is filling, rich and full of dietary protein. Dietary protein helps to balance blood sugar levels and maintain energy. According to "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition", a diet that is high in dietary protein lowers blood glucose and improves overall glucose control.
References
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Breakfast skipping and health-compromising behaviors in adolescents and adults; A Keski-Rahkonen; August; 2002
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition";An increase in dietary protein improves the blood glucose response in persons with type 2 diabetes; Mary C Gannon; October; 2003
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