The Best Energy-Boosting Breakfast Foods
Jul 08, 2021
As well-being coaches, we often get asked, "What should I eat first thing in the morning to give me more energy?" Well, we actually think the first and best thing to consume in the morning isn’t actually food!
We recommend drinking a lot of water (at least 48 ounces) with fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to instantly alkalize your body. Now, you may be thinking, “But aren’t lemon juice and vinegar acidic? Why would I drink that?” You're correct, they are acidic, but when they're fully metabolized, they become alkaline in your body – it seems counterintuitive but it's true!
Your first meal of the day needs to be full of energy-boosting and brain-fueling foods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, spirulina, chlorella, fresh leafy greens, dark berries, cacao, coconut, and heart-healthy nuts. Also, eating a light meal for breakfast ensures that you won’t be compromising your digestive efficiency and will ensure that you have energy reserves throughout your day.
Here are our top recommendations for energy-boosting breakfast foods:
Chia seeds – These are prized seeds that were used for thousands of years by ancient Mesoamerican cultures to feed their warriors and athletes. Chia seeds are high in fiber, protein, Omega-3 fatty acids and pack a dense amount of calories in a small volume.
Hemp seeds – Up to 33% protein by weight, hemp seeds are also high in heart-healthy GLAs (gamma-linoleic acid). They’re rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and contain high amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Chlorella – A single-celled, freshwater green algae, chlorella is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth. Chlorella is also 50–60% protein by weight. What's more, it's a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. It’s also backed with brain-nourishing vitamin B12, iron, vitamin C, antioxidants, trace minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Beetroot powder – In terms of energy, beetroot powder supplementation has been shown to improve muscle oxygenation during intense exercise, suggesting that increased dietary nitrate intake has the potential to enhance exercise tolerance during long-term endurance exercise. Using beetroot powder could also improve quality of life for people with cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases, or who find the activities of daily living physically difficult because of lack of oxygenation.
Fresh leafy greens – Adding greens to your breakfast is an easy way to get a boost in the morning. Our favorite greens include kale, which is high in vitamin K for strong bones and teeth. We also love watercress, which has the highest antioxidant value of any green leafy vegetable. And spinach is amazing, especially when paired with a citrus fruit that’s high in vitamin C, which helps to make the iron in spinach make more bioavailable and highly assimilable.
Dark Berries – Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, acai, goji berries... ah yes, dark berries are some of our favorite foods on Earth because of their super high antioxidant content, which helps to scavenge toxins and free radicals from your body before they have a chance to damage healthy cells.
Coconut – Coconut products are high in healthy saturated fats, soluble fiber and contain MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), which bypass the liver and can be immediately used by the body as an energy source. What’s more, coconut oil is awesome externally as a moisturizer as well!
Matcha Green Tea – One of our favorite sources of natural caffeine, matcha green tea is also an antioxidant powerhouse and contains a special amino acid called L-Theanine, which has been shown to improve cognition, memory, and overall brain power.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite non-dairy milk, toss all of these superfoods in a blender, and get your day started with gusto and verve!
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We have a ton of actionable tips like the ones in this post to share with you, like how to:
- take charge of your life,
- feel good enough,
- improve your mental well-being, and
- elevate your wellness brand.
Enjoy and thank you for reading!