Starting the Morning Off Right

If you are anything like me, you love mornings and you love breakfast. Since recently discovering that I have diabetes, I have been trying different recipes and experimenting with various foods to see which ones work the best for me at breakfast time. I'll share with you some things that I have found I enjoy. These tips and suggestions are not only for my fellow diabetics out there. Living with diabetes is all about getting into a healthier lifestyle. And, as it is important that we all learn more about our health, anyone is welcome to take these tips as some food for thought. ;)

There are countless options for breakfast. Sometimes I love to spend time and make pancakes, muffins, coffee cake, and so on. But other mornings, I just need to get the carbs in me as soon as possible! Either way, you know what works for you. I'll be sending some recipes I like for the more time consuming breakfast preparations in the coming days and weeks. So now, let's focus on the quick-but-filling morning meals.

I'm a cereal lover and am used to eating whatever is in my cupboard. But, having diabetes has taught me to study the labels a little closer and find out how these seemingly similar cereals differ. Two tips:

1. Check the serving size: You may assume that one serving size fits all cereals...not true. In fact, a lot of cereals are tricky in that one may be 1/2 cup serving, another 3/4 cup, and others still 1cup. Get used to checking the serving size before you look at the Carbohydrate count.
2. Check the carbs: Make sure that the carb count is reasonable and healthy considering whatever dietary plan you are on. For my nondiabetic friends, check the sugar and even the fat. You may be surprised. There are plenty of fat-free cereals in stores now, so why put some unneeded fat in our bodies so early in the morning? ;) 

Usually for me, my cereal counts as two starches. I am allowed three at breakfast, so I always have one remaining. Here's where it gets yummy! This is one of my favorite quick breakfast treats. I get 12-grain, low carb bread. (8 carbs per slice)  (2 slices = 1 starch) I toast them, then I put fat-free cream cheese on both. (1 tablespoon of fat-free cream cheese = FREE FOOD) I still need to get a fruit in with my morning meal. So I will slice 2-3 strawberries (it depends on the size) and put them on my cream cheese covered toast. This is a surprisingly filling treat! And I get my last starch and fruit taken care of. 

Okay, breakfast would not be complete without...coffee, of course! It was a great moment in the hospital when I was told that coffee was a FREE FOOD! *Sigh of relief* I make my regular coffee and put sugar free, carb free (well, there's like 1 gram) Hazelnut creamer in and I'm set to go. 

Let's recap: I've got my cereal which is fat-free and low-sugar, my two slices of fresh strawberry and cream cheese toast, and a lovely cup of hot coffee. Now I am ready to face the day and tackle whatever exciting plans God has in place! I hope that this has helped to give you some ideas to start the morning off right!

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" ~Psalm 118:24