By Vanessa Rhodes
Let me start by saying I understand how hectic the morning can be, and how little time you have to prepare for work, college, or anything else. I go through that every morning.
I wake up, and instantly, I think I have no time to do anything, and I rush to get myself ready for work. And in that frenzy and chaotic morning, preparing breakfast can sometimes become the last item on the priority list.
And that is where most people often make the mistake of skipping breakfast. There was a time when I was skipping breakfast as well.
Now, since skipping is not an option, and sugary desserts and unhealthy bars are definitely not the solutions as well, what can you do?
From my experience, a protein shake is the best answer, and the simplest and quickest in the same time.
If you skip breakfast or grab a sugary snack, you are setting yourself up for hunger and food craving the whole day. Usually, that results in overeating, and obesity.
Protein shakes are an excellent choice, and some people even swap shakes for breakfast altogether. For some people, that is not an option, and they want a full breakfast.
But if you are short on time (I know I am, as almost 90% of people in the morning), a protein shake is your answer for losing weight and living a healthy and balanced life.
And the best thing is, you need only five minutes to prepare a protein shake, and you do not need to drink it right now, you can drink it on your way to work or rushing to the airport.
Five reasons you should start your day with a smoothie
There are many reasons why protein shakes or smoothies are the way to kick-start your day, but I will give you only five, for now.
- For starters, they are easy to make. Preparing a smoothie takes the same time and effort as tossing some cereal in a bowl and topping with skim milk. The difference is, you get only empty carbs from cereals while protein shakes offer the same if not better nutritional and health value as a vegetable mixed omelet.
- Protein shakes also provide you with steady and sustained energy. Unlike sugar desserts like muffins that raise your insulin levels instantly, protein shakes provide you with sustained energy that won’t leave you craving for more.
- Now we are getting to the money aspect. If you want/can calculate how much money you are spending on muffins, biscuits, cereals and other high-sugar food you are taking for breakfast. Smoothies cost almost the same price, if not less, and deliver much better price-to-value ratio.
- Protein shakes are also a quick solution for your breakfast. The main reason why people skip breakfast is because they say they have no time. Well, with protein shakes, you always have time.
- Last, but not least, protein shakes help you lose weight and burn fat. They are rich in fiber, good fat, antioxidants, and many other health beneficial ingredients.
Shakes you can prepare in 5 minutes
I will give you three options that are very easy to make and cheap shake options.
The first one is one of the gold standards, which is a banana shake.
You need one banana, one peeled apple, one tablespoon of honey, and milk.
You can toss a pinch of chia seeds or flax seeds if you want the extra protein.
This shake will provide you with enough energy and protein to kickstart your day.
Banana is the core, but you can also add pear, mango, pumpkin or any similar fruit.
The next smoothie on the list is kale and cucumber smoothie.
Kale is a superfood, and there are many reasons why you should start your day with this beneficiary veggie.
The basis for the smoothie is one cup of kale, and you also need 1 cup of water, 1 cup of cucumber, 1 cup of pear, little lemon juice and one serving of protein powder.
If you want a thinner consistency, add more water and blend for 20-30 more seconds.
The last shake on the menu is a purple smoothie or the berry power smoothie.
If your berries are out of season, that doesn’t mean you cannot buy frozen food.
In fact, frozen food is often underrated, and is sometimes way cheaper than fresh fruit. You get almost the same health benefits, for a lower cost.
For the purple smoothie, you need half a cup of water, half a cup of cherries, raspberries, blueberries, quarter of a cup of pomegranate seeds and one serving of whey protein powder.
