Breakfast Booster

YOUR mom always told you it was the most important meal of the day, now research proves her right8212;yet again. Breakfast, apart from kick...

YOUR mom always told you it was the most important meal of the day, now research proves her right8212;yet again. Breakfast, apart from kick-starting the metabolism after a 10-12 hour break, also plays an important part in boosting memory and concentration.

So what are the benefits of breakfast?
Very simply put, it8217;s the key to being healthy. A Harvard Medical School study says, those who skip breakfast are also the ones likely to develop obesity and blood-sugar problems linked to diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.

The significance of the meal multiplies in summer. 8216;8216;Empty stomachs can lead to heat strokes. Breakfast staves off dehydration. Plus, since high heat often saps the appetite, the morning is a good time to take care of basic nutrition,8217;8217; says Delhi-based nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma.

What, then, makes for an ideal breakfast?
Swearing by Ayurveda, Dr Sharma suggests you plan your breakfast according to your dosha body composition. And yes, ensure you sit down to it between 7.30 am and 9 am.

KAPHA: A light breakfast8212;maybe a bowl of fruit8212;is ideal.

PITTA: Breakfast should be filling. Maybe two toasts and a glass of milk or a stuffed roti and buttermilk.

VATA: Light, frequent meals are the best. Breakfast could be anything in small quantities.

		A.M. MANTRA

			DON8217;T 8226; Wolf down breakfast while making a dash for the door or at the red light, when your stomach and your brains are both too occupied for food. 8226; Start your day with food straight from the fridge, fermented or marinated foods. 8226; Combine melons or citrus foods with milk, which cross-react and lead to indigestion and bloating. Story continues below this ad DO 8226; Start your day with water8212;half a litre for women and a full litre for men. 8226; Eat after 9 am if you8217;re planning to skip lunch and want a heavy breakfast.

In food terms, what does that mean?
Choose nutritious carbs wholewheat produce, proteins and fats, such as fresh fruit, whole grains, yogurt and soya. Idlis, plain dosas, grilled wholewheat sandwiches, poha, dhokla, wheatflakes and milk warning: cornflakes are fattening are all good options.

If lunch is an often-skipped meal, you can go in for a stuffed roti with a light brushing of oil and a bowl of raita.

What about the groggy kid who hates breakfast?
If school starts early, don8217;t make the mistake of pressurising your half-asleep child to down something heavy, says Dr Sharma. 8216;8216;Just milk, a fruit juice, or even an apple or an orange provide a good start for the day. Make sure you pack a healthy home-made tiffin8212;poha, wholewheat pasta, muesli, wraps8212;for the time the metabolism kicks into action.8217;8217;