The most important meal of the day (part 2)

I previously emphasized the point that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.  I also pointed out some common breakfast mistakes people make and what effect this can have on your body throughout the day.  What good would it do you if I didn't follow that up with some useful information for you to implement and start making your breakfast work for you rather than against you.

As you noticed from my last post, blood sugar levels are a very important aspect of your overall health (I ain't just talking about diabetes here).  Your ideal breakfast will give your blood sugar levels a boost, but will not cause them to spike and then crash.  Ideally, you want your blood sugar levels to rise and fall in a very slow and gradual manner.  This is why adequate amounts of protein and fiber as part of your breakfast meals are absolutely crucial!

When you are digesting your meal, adequate fiber content will cause this process to go at a slower rate and will allow you to properly digest your food and will result in a more gradual elevation of blood glucose over a longer period of time.  Protein eventually becomes broken down into sugars as well, but it will take your body much longer to accomplish this compared to breaking down carbs.  As a result, there is also a slow and gradual elevation in your blood sugar levels after protein.

When your blood sugar levels are gradually rising and falling over a longer period of time, your cells constantly have just enough fuel to execute their functions without their being any excess or deficiency of fuel.  As a result, your cells are operating efficiently, you will not experience any fatigue or cravings, and you will have the right amount of energy to take you through to lunch-time (before you fuel-up again).

Please note that I equate food with "fuel".  Would it help you to make better food choices at times if you thought of healthy foods as a "high-octane fuel" and junk foods as a poor source of fuel that will actually damage your car over time??

For more health information you can visit the Newmarket Naturopathic Health Centre website.

Yours in health,


Dr. Michael Morsillo, B.Sc., N.D.
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Nature's Emporium
16655 Yonge St.
Newmarket, ON
905-898-1844
www.drmorsillo.com