I’m a dietician – here are five breakfast favourites I would never eat… including instant porridge
A REGISTERED dietician has revealed the five breakfast foods she would never eat – and they’re some of the most popular options among Brits.
Dietician Natalie Forester claims you should avoid any foods that you can’t imagine growing, which knocks a lot of options out of the running for a morning pick-me-up.
Natalie said: “f there’s a packaged product you want to consume, first check the ingredients and ask yourself, can I imagine this ingredient growing?
“Then ask your ever-so-wise great-great-grandmother’s spirit if she knows what each ingredient is—and move forward from there.”
The first group of breakfast foods to avoid are the packaged pies, pastries and biscuits.
Many of these pre-packaged morning goodies contain high trans fat, which can increase your risk of chronic illnesses.
Natalie said: “This is why they’re technically banned in the United States and many other countries.
“However, it is important to note that even if a package lists 0 grams of trans fat, it is not always the case.
“In the U.S., if a food has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat in a serving, the food label can read 0 grams trans fat. Therefore, it is important to recognize and avoid foods that may contain it regardless.”
The second group to avoid? White bread and refined grains, which lack nutrients and fiber.
Instead of white bread, opt for whole grain or sprouted bread, bagels, and quinoa in the morning to ensure you begin your day with nutrients.
Another popular option among Brits is the flavoured instant oatmeal packs – but these seemingly healthy oats are packed with sugar, according to dietician Rebekah Blakely.
She said: “Plain oats will have zero to one grams of sugar, while a flavored pack will often have 11 to 14 grams of sugar.
“That means you’ve already had half your sugar for the day with one 150 calorie oatmeal pack!”
The better option for those who love oatmeal are plain oats, which you can add fresh fruit to.
Rebekah said: “You can still cook regular oats in the microwave in one to two minutes if needed—and if you really want to stick with the instant oatmeal packs, choose the original unflavoured version,”
Peanut butter on top of toast is a great way to get some protein in the morning, but if you choose the reduced fat option, you may be making a mistake.
Rebekah says the full-fat peanut butter is healthier for your heart, eyes and immune system.
She explained: “Yes, peanut butter is about 70 percent fat, but it’s primarily monounsaturated fat which is heart healthy and you get a good source of fat-soluble vitamin E, an antioxidant important for eye, heart, and immune health.”
The last breakfast food to avoid are fruit danishes – which may be enticing to grab in the morning, but they’re not healthy.
Natalie said while she understands the appeal, the calories, saturated fat and sugar are not worth a moment’s joy.
Instead, opt for a chia bar with added fruit for your sweet fix.
Another dietician revealed the reasons why it’s difficult to stick to a new diet – and they may surprise you.