Usually you'll hear, "Eat this and that, but not that; or that."
I tend to be more flexible when talking about eating. It's cultural, it's emotional, it's habitual! The way we eat is hardwired from early childhood. Yes, we can change but it's not always easy. With that in mind, here are some perhaps uncommon answers to common breakfast questions I've repeatedly gotten lately. I'd love to hear feedback or additional questions.
Do I have to eat breakfast?
No, but a lot of people i work with have great success getting started early with food and water intake.
When should I eat breakfast?
Whenever you feel is best, and whenever your body feels best doing so. There is no right answer here, but in my experience, I've seen people have great results starting the day with a macro-balanced, nutrient dense, whole food based breakfast.
What should I eat for breakfast?
A combination of lean protein, carbohydrate, something green and added fat, in some cases. Anything from a Commish smoothie to eggs and toast with some spinach to overnight oats work well. Check out our free Facebook group for recipes and more ideas (click the text).
I do Intermittent Fasting, is that ok?
Sure. If you enjoy IF and it feels good to you, great. I don't feel that IF is a magic bullet but I work with plenty of people that practice it and have success.
I can't eat a huge breakfast, can I break a bigger breakfast into two smaller meals?
Absolutely. Many Dan Planners eat 'double breakfast'. You can break it up into before and after workout or just do one early and one a little later. There is no right or wrong way, as long as you're getting the correct balance (which is, of course, dependent on your individual goals and needs).
I work out early, should I eat before or after?
Most people will eat after a 6am session, but many people will eat something simple like a banana before a workout and feel more energized.
One of my favorite running coaches would tell our team, " Whatever it is, it better taste just as good coming up as it did going down."
Gross, maybe, but very true. You don't want hot sauce and eggs as a pre workout.
What about post workout?
The 'anabolic window' has been debunked, but there's still some merit to getting fuel into your body right after a workout. For me, it makes me feel energized for the rest of the day.
The Final Word
There is no exact right or wrong, but there are definite best practices. Eating a combination of lean protein, quality carbohydrate, green and leafy vegetables and a small amount of fat will definitely help you fuel your busy day. How you do it is based on how and what you like to eat.