Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it not only gives you the energy you need to get through it, but allows your body all day to burn the calories you consumed.

Unfortunately, with busy family and professional responsibilities, too many people are skipping it these days! Luckily, the restaurant industry is beginning to catch up with consumers needs and offering healthy choices that customers can grab on the go!

This week, a reader looking for healthy early morning breakfast choices at her local Starbucks wrote to FitPerez correspondent and certified nutritional therapy practitioner, Margaux J. Rathbun, for help!

Question:

"I get up at 6 am everyday because I have to get to work by 7 am. I don't have time to make breakfast and I always grab something at Starbucks or the coffee shop in my building. What are some good on-the-go choices that will help me stay (and feel) healthy? I always want to grab a bagel or a donut but I know it's not the healthiest thing to do. Any easy alternatives that you can suggest would be great. Thank you!"

Answer:

That's a great question and I can relate to how you feel. These days, it's very hard to slow down and eat any meal at home…especially breakfast! Starbucks has gotten much better about their food selection. They now sell raw food bars full of organic nuts and seeds, organic dried fruits, granola, and green drinks (located in the cooler under the pastries). Try to stay away from any of the refined carbohydrates (bagels, coffee cake, etc) because it can make you feel sluggish mid-morning. Many coffee shops now offer fresh fruit including bananas and apples. These are great foods full of nutrients that won't give you an energy crash.

If you're up for it, switch your coffee out for green tea. If that's not going to happen, make sure you aren't loading your coffee up with sugar or artificial sweeteners. When you eat breakfast at work, be sure that you are chewing your food and really taking the time to taste it. Proper digestion will help you feel happy and healthy during the day.

For more tips about a proper breakfast which includes foods that can naturally boost your energy level in the morning, check out Margaux's website here.

Tags: breakfast, calories, carbohydrates, coffee, morning, on the go, organic, starbucks, sugar