Start 2013 off right: Eat breakfast
Breakfast literally means, “breaking the fast” of night and, nutrition experts say it’s the most important meal of the day. It fuels the body to provide energy, better concentration and problem-solving abilities.
Read how Virtua’s champions of breakfast fuel their days.
Here’s how some of Virtua’s busiest experts fuel their days:
Jane Ryan, RD, PhD, Director of Nutrition and Diabetes Services
A healthy breakfast jump starts your day and benefits overall health and weight management. I have a busy work schedule, so I pack a healthy breakfast-to-go the night before. I always have coffee and either a banana or apple with peanut butter in a portion-controlled container that’s easy to pack. Watch Jane Ryan discuss healthy breakfasts for everyone in Holly’s Kitchen at backstory.virtua.org.
Diane Gillum, MD , Breast surgeon
I never skip breakfast – a good habit that I’ve instilled in my three kids. I always start my day with whole-grain cereal and fruit and, of course, my coffee. Research shows that eating breakfast helps prevent binge eating later in the day that can cause weight gain.
David Greenbaum, MD , Bariatric surgeon
I eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a pauper. Occasionally, I enjoy bacon and eggs for breakfast. If I ate a big dinner the night before, then breakfast is a grapefruit or a protein shake. I encourage my patients to vary meal sizes, so they’re not eating multiple large meals in one day.
Charles Dennis, MD , Cardiologist
I am not much of a breakfast person, but sometimes my family and I will eat breakfast out. We are very health conscious and watch our fat intake. We look for places that display the calories or nutrition facts. At home, everyone cooks without much added fat or salt.
Jennifer Naticchia, MD , Sports medicine primary care physician
When I need a quick breakfast, I grab a Fiber One bar. With approximately nine grams of fiber, it keeps me feeling full through the morning so I’m not starving two hours after eating. When time allows, I eat instant Cream of Wheat, oatmeal or grits, all which provide healthy serving of fiber.
Smart ways to manage your weight, diet and nutrition. Call 1-855-VIRTUA-8 (1-855-847-8828).