37 Worst Breakfast Habits for Your Waistline
By Perri O. BlumbergIt's time for a wake-up call.The savory scent of freshly sizzled bacon. The enticing aroma of just-squeezed OJ and then a waft of syrupy goodness swirling around a stack of pancakes.
Cuppa coffee or tea, that is. "A healthy cup of coffee can [contribute to pound creepage] if you add sugary, fatty creamers.
Put down that can of chemicals or bottle of sugar water, stat! If you're not a coffee fan and need an instant wake-me-up, then what you need to find is your perfect tea.
It's time to cut the salt already, suggests Lisa Hayim, registered dietitian and founder of The WellNecessities. "So many of our favorite breakfast options are loaded with salt.
No newsflash here, but worth a cautionary reminder: "Starting the day with a large high-fat, high-sodium breakfast will give you a bloated belly and you will feel sluggish all day!" exclaims celebrity nutritionist Lisa DeFazio, MS, RDN.
Not only is skipping breakfast a risky move because it may lead to overeating, metabolism drops, and more, hitting the snooze button is doing double damage. You've already interrupted your sleep with your alarm, so you might as well get up and get nourished.
"Eating large amounts of fiber in the morning will make you gassy," warns DeFazio. "Yes, fiber is important, but don't overdose on it.
Coffee on its own isn't bad for your waistline and the caffeine may even help you to work out harder and burn a few extra calories. "But trendybulletproof coffeesupplies very few nutrients and a whopping 441 calories—eighty percent of which are artery-clogging saturated fat—which certainly isn't good for your waistline," say The Nutrition Twins.
"This seemingly-innocent food is almost always loaded with added sugar," cautions Hayim. "In fact, most companies use synonyms or alternative words for plain old 'sugar' to disguise it.
You're told to eat as soon as you wake up, but it may lead to weight gain if you're not hankering for a meal yet. Listen to your body: "Try tuning into your natural hunger/satiety signals and have breakfast only once you are truly physically hungry.
We get it—sometimes we are too tired, too lazy, and too hungry for anything other than leftover pizza or birthday cake. "But don't do it!"
You don't want to be cavalier about this important macronutrient. "It's easy to load up on carbohydrates like bagels, croissants, and cereals for breakfast.
"You do you" is a phrase we can wholeheartedly get behind, but chances are you do oats the way-too-sugary way. "Many clients come to me boasting about their oatmeal breakfast choice.
So, maybe your New Year's Resolution was to keep up with current events better. Sorry folks, still not a good excuse to turn on the tube while you eat.
"This affects your waistline more than most people realize," The Nutrition Twins reveal. "Every process in your body takes place in water—from helping to flush wastes from your colon to the efficient functioning of your metabolism.
"Older generations hear words like 'bran' or 'low-fat' and instantly assume it's the healthy choice," says Hayim. Think again: "These foods, which can be high in fiber, are actually usually loaded with processed flour, high in sugar, and can be high in sodium too.
Got milk for breakfast? Most people do, and coupled with all the cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products we tend to guzzle down on breakfast, it's definitely not helping us stay svelte.
"Most people realize a carb-loaded bagel with a smear of cream cheese may not be the healthiest option because it typically contributes in excess of 500 calories. But even if you're only eating a healthy bowl of oatmeal or a plate of fruit, it still backfires," explain The Nutrition Twins.
But hey, it's whole grain! Not so fast.
Whether you skip the bowl because you're just chillin' on the couch with the GMA crew or because you're too rushed to bother with dishes, sticking your hand in a cereal box is a big no-no. "When you do this, portion control is non-existent because it's nearly impossible to even know how much you consume," advise The Nutrition Twins.
Just because it's "traditional" doesn't mean it's safe. "[Eating these kinds of foods] will not only promote bloat and fat gain, but will cause postprandial lipemia—a temporary condition where your blood is thickened from the fat, cholesterol, and free radicals floating around your arteries.
"I'm not skipping breakfast," you say. "I'll just have coffee!"
"Why is it that breakfast is always associated with dairy, eggs, bread, bacon, cereal, and fruit? What about vegetables?
"When you eat the same thing over and again, you'll get bored. And then your time spent eating—one of life's greatest pleasures—is less fun," says Scritchfield.
Think you're making the virtuous choice? Beware.
If you're in a pinch, you can do better than grabbing a few walnuts from a bag and pretending the brain-healthy, waistline-healthy choice is all you need. "Nuts are healthy and contain vitamins, minerals and good-for-you fats, but they don'