Dear Chesna: What do you eat for breakfast?

This is such a popular question- second only to the more general question, “Well, what do you eat as a trainer?” – that I’ve decided to post about it.

The breakfast meal is my favorite meal of the day.  Ironically, I tend to eat “dinner” foods for breakfast and “breakfast” foods for dinner.   When eating my first morning meal, I opt for hearty proteins, vegetables and a fruit.  If working out however, my first meal is a lot lighter but the post workout meal is much more substantial.  Basically, I can eat anything but fish for breakfast; and that has more to do with timing than anything else.  I prefer fish later in the day.  Click on the image above for the recipe to Wok-Seared Chicken, as featured on the ACE website.

When craving more traditional breakfast foods, it varies from egg-white omelets with vegetables (onions and peppers) to good old-fashioned oatmeal with a sprinkling of raisins, a drizzle of honey, lots of cinnamon and egg whites as the protein source.   And I must admit that there are times when I want pancakes.  So, I treat myself to whole-grain pancakes, no butter, every blue moon. 

My advice to my clients is to think outside the cereal box and get creative.  Just be sure that the meal is healthy and balanced.  Many restaurants have added healthy options to their menus so it is not that difficult or expensive to grab good grub when on the go.  My favorite: Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal.  Try it with their dried fruit or cinnamon and a little honey.  It's tasty, hearty and it won't break the bank.