For a while, since the 1960s until pretty recently, breakfast had a reputation for being the most important meal of the day. Nowadays, according to Medical News Today: "Although research suggests that breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day, it is still important." The good news for those who don't wake up feeling all that hungry in the morning is that that you don't have to feel guilty for skipping what was once considered the most important meal of the day. Still, there are plenty of reasons why having breakfast regularly is a great idea. For starters, it helps set you up to make smart food decisions all day long. Also, there are certain breakfast foods that can really help banish belly bloat.
More from MamásLatinas: Foods that fight gas and bloating
There are a lot of reasons why you might wake up feeling bloated, but a common one is that you ate something the evening before that has you retaining fluids. Think salty foods at dinner. Still, that doesn't mean that you have to spend the whole morning or day dealing with uncomfortable bloating. Instead, you can use breakfast as an opportunity to combat bloating from the day before and prevent any bloating throughout the day. How? By enjoying some of the following foods for breakfast.
Yes, you can have quinoa for breakfast.
Sometimes we get hung up on what we think are breakfast foods and what aren't breakfast foods. The thing is that "breakfast" refers to whatever it is that you eat after hours of not having eaten because you were asleep, so anything can be a breakfast food. Quinoa is a good option because it contains potassium, which can help beat bloat.
If you're more of a traditionalist, you can have oatmeal.
If you are an oatmeal fan, good for you! Oatmeal is a wonderful food to eat in the morning. It has a lot of fiber which makes it very easy to digest. Also, you can add many different ingredients to make it taste great and so you never get bored.
Asparagus helps flush you out.
Asparagus is considered a natural diuretic, which means it can flush out any excess waste and water from your system. Add the veggie to an omelet for breakfast or serve it steamed with poached eggs over it. You could also add it to a quiche that you make over the weekend and have slices of during the week.
Papaya provides powerful papain.
Papaya is ideal for debloating because it gets your digestive system going. It contains the digestive enzyme papain which helps break down the protein in foods you eat and can help reduce constipation and gas. Eat it as is or add it to smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt.
Have some pineapple!
If you are craving something sweet, pineapple is one of the best fruits to reach for in the morning. It contains bromelain, an enzyme that promotes digestion and will help reduce bloating. You can eat it on its own, use it to top your oatmeal, or put it in a smoothie.
Not hungry? Have some mint and ginger tea.
If you just aren't hungry at all and the thought of eating a full-blown meal makes you wince, you can still fight bloat by hydrating with some mint and ginger tea. Mint is known to help reduce bloating, as is ginger. Make a tea out of the fresh ginger and mint or stock up on teabags of both.
Cucumbers are great for you.
Cucumbers are natural diuretics that contain sulfur and silica. These ingredients help flush out your kidneys from any toxins. Have it on its own or with a couple of hard-boiled eggs for breakfast to help fill you up and give you energy until lunch.
Have bananas, will travel!
Bananas are the ideal de-bloating foods because they contain potassium, a mineral known to greatly reduce any excess sodium in your system. They are also super easy to grab and take with you, if you are leaving your home in a hurry, so no excuses.
An apple a day keeps the bloat away.
Apples contain water and potassium, so they help keep you hydrated while banishing bloat. They also have fiber and pectin that help fight not just bloating, but constipation as well. Nice! And, like bananas, they are easy to grab and take with you when you are in a hurry.
Yay, egg lovers, you can totally have eggs!
Guess what? Eggs are the perfect breakfast food because they are all protein, and protein is a great way to get your body going in the morning. They really help kickstart your metabolism and set everything in motion for the rest of the day.
Whole-wheat bread is on the menu.
If you want something hearty and filling in the morning, then whole-wheat bread is your best choice. It's full of fiber and is low in calories. Just make sure to pick 100% whole-wheat bread as opposed to bread made from mixed grains.
Blueberries are anti-bloat berries.
Full of potent antioxidants, blueberries are a great addition to any breakfast. Blueberries help clean the liver from toxins and free radicals that could make you feel bloated. Add them to oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.
Wake up and eat or drink your spinach.
Spinach is a fantastic breakfast food. It is a great source of iron and fiber. It tastes great in an omelet, or mixed in with scrambled eggs, and it works fabulously in a smoothie. There's no doubt about it, spinach is a great way to start the day right nutrition-wise.
Like you need a reason to eat avocados!
Avocados are amazing. Sure, they are delectably delicious, but they are also good for you for so many reasons. For example, they help eliminate bloating because they have potassium, which is super important for balancing your sodium and fluid levels. Enjoy it on whole-wheat toast at home and never pay for overpriced avocado toast anywhere else.
Disclaimer: The advice on MamasLatinas.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health care provider with questions and concerns.
Make celery tacos.
OK, they aren't really tacos, but it's like you are using celery as a taco shell that you can fill with cream cheese, peanut butter, or even avocado. Why celery? Because celery is a natural diuretic, which means it will make you pee more and peeing more helps flush excess liquid and sodium.
*Descargo de responsabilidad: Los consejos sobre MamásLatinas.com no sustituyen la consulta con un profesional médico o el tratamiento para una condición específica. No debes usar esta información para diagnosticar o tratar un problema de salud sin consultar a un profesional calificado. Por favor contacta a tu médico si tienes preguntas o alguna preocupación.
