Introduction
If you’re trying to lose weight, you may be wondering what breakfast habits you should avoid. Eating a healthy breakfast is important for weight loss, but there are certain breakfast habits that can actually hinder your progress. According to experts, there are certain breakfast habits that you should avoid if you want to lose weight. From eating too much sugar to skipping breakfast altogether, these are the breakfast habits that you should avoid if you want to reach your weight loss goals. Fortunately, the experts at Eat This Not That have some great tips and tricks to help you make healthier breakfast choices that will help you reach your weight loss goals.
Breakfast Habits to Avoid if You Want to Lose Weight, Say Experts — Eat This Not That
If you’re trying to lose weight, you may have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what you eat for breakfast can make a big difference in your weight-loss success. Experts say there are certain breakfast habits that can sabotage your weight-loss efforts, so it’s important to know what to avoid.
1. Eating Too Much Sugar
Sugar is a major source of empty calories, and it can quickly add up if you’re not careful. Many breakfast foods, such as cereal, pastries, and flavored yogurt, are loaded with sugar. To avoid consuming too much sugar, opt for breakfast foods that are naturally low in sugar, such as oatmeal, eggs, and plain yogurt.
2. Eating Too Many Processed Foods
Processed foods are often high in calories, fat, and sodium, and they can be difficult to digest. To keep your breakfast healthy, opt for whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. These foods are packed with nutrients and fiber, which can help keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
3. Skipping Breakfast
Skipping breakfast can lead to overeating later in the day, which can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. Eating a healthy breakfast can help you stay on track with your diet and give you the energy you need to get through the day. Try to include a source of protein, such as eggs or Greek yogurt, to help keep you feeling full.
4. Eating Too Much Fast Food
Fast food is often high in calories, fat, and sodium, and it can be difficult to make healthy choices when you’re in a rush. If you’re short on time, try to make a healthy breakfast at home or look for healthier options when you’re out. For example, you can opt for an egg sandwich on whole-grain bread instead of a greasy breakfast burrito.
5. Eating Too Much Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates can be a source of energy, but eating too many can lead to weight gain. To keep your breakfast balanced, try to include a source of protein and healthy fats, such as eggs, nuts, or avocado. This will help keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
By avoiding these unhealthy breakfast habits, you can set yourself up for success with your weight-loss goals. Eating a healthy breakfast can help you stay on track with your diet and give you the energy you need to get through the day.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—but in many cases, your morning meal may be the one that makes or breaks your weight loss efforts. However, it’s not just downing donuts day after day that can have a profoundly negative impact on your weight. Experts say that many of the seemingly innocuous breakfast habits you’re engaging in on a regular basis could be hindering your weight loss—or even causing the numbers on the scale to move in the wrong direction. If you want to get your healthy living efforts back on track, read on to discover the worst breakfast habits for weight loss, according to experts. And if you want to slim down the healthy way, start with these 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.
While you may find yourself short on time in the morning, having only coffee for your first meal can prove detrimental to your weight loss efforts in the long run.
“Replacing a nourishing breakfast with coffee may seem efficient, but you’re actually missing out on some key nutrients like protein, fiber, and antioxidants from food,” says Amy Davis, RD, LDN.
Without these essential nutrients, you may find yourself feeling sluggish or looking for foods that provide quick energy later on.
RELATED: Breakfast Habits That Help With Weight Loss, Say Experts
While grabbing a bowl of sugary cereal may be enough to temporarily quell your hunger, doing so may eventually backfire.
“These products lack nutrition and contain very little fiber, leaving you starving not long after! You should be opting for wholegrain cereals, such as rolled oats,” says obesity specialist Nick Fuller, PhD, a research program leader at the University of Sydney’s Boden Collaboration for Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders and founder of Interval Weight Loss.
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It’s true that fresh-pressed juices may be hydrating and contain nutrients, but Fuller says they’re a poor choice of breakfast for most people.
“Calories from liquid are not as satiating,” says Fuller. “When you juice or blend, you do not get the same filling effect when compared to eating the whole food. Plus, a large glass of juice will typically have 2.5 times the energy content and one-third the fiber content of a piece of fruit.”
While black coffee may have negligible calories on its own, those sugary additions you’re making to it can seriously derail your weight loss.
“Whether it be from a ton of real sugar via cane syrup sweeteners, or from multiple colorful packets of non-nutritive sweeteners, having your taste buds start the day off super sweet is not ideal. It sets your body up to crave sugar later on during the day,” says Marissa Meshulam, MS, RD, CDN, founder of MPM Nutrition. Meshulam also notes that by starting your day with an ultra-sweet beverage, healthier sweets like fruit won’t taste as satisfying.
If you want to ensure that you’re not famished by noon, it’s important to make sure you’re eating plenty of fiber at breakfast.
“Diets rich in dietary fiber have been shown to be beneficial for reducing fat mass. Pairing a fiber source (fruit, vegetable, or whole grain) with breakfast helps to maintain blood sugar levels and manage hunger throughout the day,” says Dana Norris, MS, RD, of Eleat Sports Nutrition.
For some easy ways to stay full for longer, check out the 43 Best High-Fiber Foods For a Healthy Diet, and for the latest healthy eating news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!
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