Forever tired in the mornings? Here's why.
(Credits)
Here's why you're forever tired.
Imagine this: you wake up to the melodious chirping of birds outside your window, feeling refreshed and well-rested after a good night’s sleep. You hit the shower and get dressed whilst humming your favourite tune; after your daily commute to the office, you take your seat in your office and open your laptop. You’re right on time.
Sounds like a perfect start to your day, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, realistically speaking, things don’t quite go that way. You’re more likely to wake up bleary-eyed (snoozing your alarm three times before you actually get out of bed), nod off on public transport (much to the chagrin of the stranger whom you keep hitting in the process), and reach your office feeling thoroughly exhausted.
If you’re getting in a decent amount of sleep each night, but you seem to still be forever tired, this might just boil down to your choice of breakfast.
(Credits)
For those of you who have the habit of skipping breakfast - regardless of whether it’s because you don’t have the time, you can’t be bothered, or you’re trying to lose weight - it’s time to start eating.
Why are people who don't eat breakfast forever tired?
Amy Goodson, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine, likens eating breakfast to “kickstarting your metabolism, and starting a fire in your body.” According to Amy, whilst you’re sleeping, your body continues using the food you consumed during dinner to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. When you wake up in the morning, it’s time to refuel with breakfast; if you skip your breakfast, you’ll feel sluggish and less energized.
But what kind of breakfast should you be having? You’ll want to go for something which includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fat, and avoid foods that are too sugary.
(Credits)
Strictly on the “to avoid” list? Sugary breakfast cereals.
These may be a yummy and convenient option, but they’re not that great for you. According to Robert Choate, an advisor to the US congress on nutrition, the majority of breakfast cereals “fatten but do little to prevent malnutrition”. Choate analysed sixty different well-known cereal brands for their nutritional quality, and eventually concluded that a whopping two thirds of them offered “empty calories”.
So what should you be having, instead?
Healthier options include eggs with whole-wheat toast and low-fat Greek yogurt, smoothies based with fruit, protein powder, and low-fat milk, or smoothie bowls comprising of the same. If you can get your hands on some superfoods (acai, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc), go ahead and add those in as well!
(Credits)
PS: It’s a myth that protein powder should only be consumed by people who go to the gym religiously. If you’re struggling with keeping your energy levels up during the day, a small amount of protein powder (start with one teaspoon, and slowly increase this according to your discretion) added to your breakfast smoothie or smoothie bowl will do you wonders.
Plus: protein powder comes in plenty of different variants, and you can also achieve different purposes depending on the type you get.
If you’re trying protein powder for the first time and you want something that goes nicely with your smoothies, try the Cacao & Coconut RAW Protein Isolate. This supports digestive balance and assists with the breakdown and assimilation of protein; it also tastes pretty damn amazing!
If you want to get more greens in with your protein powder, try the RAW Prebiotic Greens, a vegan and organic formula which contains several types of alkaline chlorophyll, nutrient-dense sprouts, leaves, juices, grasses, algae, herbs, and over 74 trace minerals and prebiotics. Alternatively, the RAW Immune is chock-full of Vitamin C from Ginger, Rosehip, Echinacea & Turmeric and other herbs, and is great for daily immune health maintenance.
(Credits)
For those of you who have the habit of skipping breakfast - regardless of whether it’s because you don’t have the time, you can’t be bothered, or you’re trying to lose weight - it’s time to start eating.
Why are people who don't eat breakfast forever tired?
Amy Goodson, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine, likens eating breakfast to “kickstarting your metabolism, and starting a fire in your body.” According to Amy, whilst you’re sleeping, your body continues using the food you consumed during dinner to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. When you wake up in the morning, it’s time to refuel with breakfast; if you skip your breakfast, you’ll feel sluggish and less energized.
But what kind of breakfast should you be having? You’ll want to go for something which includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fat, and avoid foods that are too sugary.
(Credits)
Strictly on the “to avoid” list? Sugary breakfast cereals.
These may be a yummy and convenient option, but they’re not that great for you. According to Robert Choate, an advisor to the US congress on nutrition, the majority of breakfast cereals “fatten but do little to prevent malnutrition”. Choate analysed sixty different well-known cereal brands for their nutritional quality, and eventually concluded that a whopping two thirds of them offered “empty calories”.
So what should you be having, instead?
Healthier options include eggs with whole-wheat toast and low-fat Greek yogurt, smoothies based with fruit, protein powder, and low-fat milk, or smoothie bowls comprising of the same. If you can get your hands on some superfoods (acai, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc), go ahead and add those in as well!
(Credits)
PS: It’s a myth that protein powder should only be consumed by people who go to the gym religiously. If you’re struggling with keeping your energy levels up during the day, a small amount of protein powder (start with one teaspoon, and slowly increase this according to your discretion) added to your breakfast smoothie or smoothie bowl will do you wonders.
Plus: protein powder comes in plenty of different variants, and you can also achieve different purposes depending on the type you get.
If you’re trying protein powder for the first time and you want something that goes nicely with your smoothies, try the Cacao & Coconut RAW Protein Isolate. This supports digestive balance and assists with the breakdown and assimilation of protein; it also tastes pretty damn amazing!
If you want to get more greens in with your protein powder, try the RAW Prebiotic Greens, a vegan and organic formula which contains several types of alkaline chlorophyll, nutrient-dense sprouts, leaves, juices, grasses, algae, herbs, and over 74 trace minerals and prebiotics. Alternatively, the RAW Immune is chock-full of Vitamin C from Ginger, Rosehip, Echinacea & Turmeric and other herbs, and is great for daily immune health maintenance.