Breakfast that works
Would you drive to work on an empty fuel tank? You may be able to start the engine but the car would stop at some point.
That is what you are doing to your body when you skip breakfast. Food is the fuel our bodies need and after functioning all day long and some hours of sleep, the tank has barely any gas. Going to work without eating something before is like trying to drive there with no fuel.
Bear in mind, your car only will work as good as it is maintained, so make sure to handle your body engine right and start every day having a good, wholesome breakfast even if your a busy working parent or you are fully immersed in the corporate world.
Working parents' breakfast
If you are a working parent, you know how busy the mornings can get. Trying to get everyone dressed, book bags packed, lunches packed, sanity packed and get out of the door before the bulk of rush hour can lead to the no-breakfast conundrum. As studies have shown, breakfast is probably the most important part of the day because it has the only chance to wake you up and get your body's metabolism working in a positive direction right from the start. Let's take a look at a few ideas for some quick and easy breakfast ideas for working parents.
One-handed wonder
If you are the type of person who gets kids dressed with one hand while trying to pack lunches with the other, then you know how important a free hand can be. There are plethoras of breakfast options that only take up one hand and are pretty mobile when it comes to multitasking. For the simple breakfast ideas, you can always go with the staple foods, like bagels and toast, but if you want something with a little more pizzazz, try a breakfast wrap or perhaps even make your own French toast sticks.
Another idea would be to make pancake tacos. By taking a pancake that is not all the way cool, spread some peanut butter across it, lay down a little honey, fold it in half like a taco and ad some diced bananas. The breakfast is not only one handed, but it is simple, delicious and well-rounded way to start your day.
Easy clean up
Another big vice of working parents is a big breakfast that leaves a big mess. It is not fun to come home at the end of the day to a kitchen that looks like a tornado came through. No-mess breakfasts are great go-to ideas for working parents who are in a rush to get out the door.
These types of breakfasts can include frozen biscuits, some fruit and a cereal bar and even a breakfast burrito, if done correctly. Sure, you might have to wash a pan or two, but the trick for all of these breakfast ideas is to make something that can be transported in a paper towel or in a Ziploc baggie.
Break fast.
If you were to ask any working parent what the absolute must-have trait of a great breakfast is, you would probably get one word; fast. If breakfast wasn't designed for those people on the go, then it would have been called break slow or take-a-snooze-meal. OK, you get the point. Breakfast is meant to be a quick meal that is ready to go for those people who are constantly on the go.
Great ideas for quick meals include popping a couple frozen pancakes or waffles in the toaster while you do your hair or tie your shoes. Another great idea is making a fruit medley with some apples, grapes and bananas. In the section above, we mentioned breakfast burritos; prepare the ingredients the night before and all you have to do is combine and heat. Try and think of a couple things that you can prepare the night before so that all you have to do is warm them up and enjoy.
Corporate breakfast conundrum
If you lead the corporate lifestyle, you understand how difficult it can be to have a proper breakfast. Just because you are working your way up the corporate ladder, doesn't mean that you have to skip out on a great breakfast. Actually, being in the corporate world gives you a better chance to grab a healthy breakfast if you make wise decisions and do not rely solely on speed.
Better than doughnuts
Doughnuts are quick, easy, and oh so yummy. However, those doughnuts are packed with fats, sugars and simple carbohydrates that all lead to the bottom line; your bottom line. Sure, you don't have a lot of time while running out of the door to make something healthy for yourself, but that doesn't mean you have to eat junk all day.
There are plenty of healthy options to choose from, rather than the sugar-laden doughnut. You could have just as easily grabbed a bagel from your freezer, a banana or apples and some peanut butter, or perhaps even a frozen waffle you previously made. While a doughnut seems good at the time, it is filled with fats and sugars that will give your metabolism a quick boost, but then drop your energy off the side of the desk as the sugar high comes crashing down.
Vindictive vending machine
The vending machine is another bottomless pit when it comes to corporate jobs. It is so easy to get up from your desk, reach into your pocket and get back to work with cheesy orange fingers or a look of pure chocolate bliss on your face. The vending machine is no way to get your morning meals in hand. If you are a sucker for the peanut butter crackers, bring your own from home. Pack some peanut butter along with some basic crackers and even throw in a few slices of cheese. It turns out you have a better snack then you could ever get from B3.
There are many options to replace your vending machine craving with simple foods from your home. Plain popcorn sprinkled with a little cheese powder can make a great snack and can be popped fresh in your office instead of sitting inside a sealed baggie for who knows how long. Your other options are packing some healthy chips or even veggies and dip to bring with instead of hitting the vending machine to cure your breakfast hunger.
Don't forget your briefcase
Believe it or not, your briefcase can actually double as a highly sophisticated breakfast traveling compartment. Within the slim walls, you have the ability to carry everything you need for a completely balanced and healthy breakfast. Just think about it, you can easily toss in a cereal bar, banana and a pouch of V8. Your briefcase is a great way to store your breakfast foods while still allowing you a free hand for coffee or the paper.
Treat yourself to breakfast
No matter where you have to be, however quickly you have to be there, breakfast is always do-able. All it takes is a little prior planning and some down-home creativity and you can serve your speedy family a great breakfast on the go.
Your breakfast is the most important part of your day. Even if you are wound up in the corporate race, there is always time for a decent breakfast, whether it is a bagel from the freezer, some popcorn and pretzels or a whole spread from the comfort of your briefcase. Work should not interfere with your health and your health starts with good choices for breakfast. Simply put, having breakfast every day has too many benefits to miss. Give your body the best you possibly can and start the day on a full tank.
