Heart Healthy Breakfast to begin your day with.....

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day. Too many of us skip it for reasons such as trying to lose weight, not hungry, not a "morning person" , or for lack of time. But these reasons should not steer anyone away from the many health benefits that can be derived from eating breakfast.
First of all, eating breakfast is a great way to get your metabolism up and running; studies have shown people are more alert and ready for daily challenges when they consume breakfast. This metabolism boost is also a great way to help people shed unwanted pounds. When speaking of heart-health, breakfast is a good way to get a start on the 25 or more grams of dietary fiber you need each day to help lower cholesterol levels.
Preparing breakfast foods does not have to be a time-consuming process. With a little planning, everyone can enjoy the health benefits derived from eating a breakfast each day.

Here are some quick and easy breakfast ideas:

At home –

• Bowl of instant oatmeal or oat bran topped with fruit and/or walnuts, skim milk or low fat soy milk.
• Bowl of ready-to-eat high fiber cereal topped fruit and/or walnuts, skim milk or low fat soy milk.
• 2 slices whole-grain toast, English muffin, pita or bagel topped with 2 Tbsp. Peanut butter, 1 tsp. trans-fatty acid free margarine or 2 Tbsp. Nonfat cream cheese.
• 6-8 oz. nonfat or 1% yogurt topped with fruit, nuts or granola.
• 4 oz. nonfat or 1% cottage cheese, served with tomato or pineapple slices.
• 2 low-fat hard granola bars with 8 oz. skim milk or low-fat soy milk.
• 2 egg-equivalent egg white or egg substitute omelet served on whole grain toast with orange wedges.
• Whole grain bagel topped with ½ cup nonfat or 1% cottage cheese; broiled for 5 minutes until bagel crispy, then topped with berries or fruit of choice.
• 8 oz. yogurt, fruit of choice and 2 Tbsp. Ground flax seeds or wheat germ with ice – blend in blender and serve. 

Enjoy your breakfast.
Cleveland Clinic.