At HFP, our first meal of the day does not happen by chance, it is a deliberate choice. It consists of a base of protein, some healthy fats and vegetables. While there are some exceptions to the rule, this first meal of the day is generally consistent because the aim of this first meal is to create a specific environment within the body to enable peak mental and physical performance and lean body composition. Here are our top reasons for choosing this type of breakfast.
Focus and Drive
An alert and motivated start to the day is critical to a highly productive day. Focus and drive are dependent on your ability to produce the key neurotransmitters Dopamine and Acetylcholine. Whilst we don’t get these neurotransmitters directly from nutrition, we get their key precursor nutrients, the Amino Acid Tyrosine, Choline and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Needless to say, the most abundant source of these nutrients is from animal meats and healthy fats.
Satiety
Protein, fats and fibre take time to digest and absorb so there is a slow release of nutrients into the blood stream over time. This is ideal for your nutrition planning at breakfast, as it keeps us feeling fuller for longer.
Stability in blood sugar levels
Sugar from a carbohydrate rich meal enters the blood stream rapidly and increases blood sugar levels. This high spike in blood sugar is seen as toxic and in response, the body produces insulin to pull excess sugar out of the blood stream and into our muscles, liver and fat cells. This increase in insulin does its job and returns blood sugars back to normal or even to below normal levels. Consequently, when blood sugar levels become low, we get hungry and are more likely to over consume kilojoules leading to body fat gain.
Preserving muscle tissue, strength and metabolism
The overnight fast naturally sees our nutrient stores run low in the morning. A key nutrient with an abundant use is our pool of amino acids. They serve as a basis for muscle building, immunity, detoxification, tissue repair and recovery. Muscle tissue is an abundant source of essential and non-essential amino acids so when we are in a fasted state, our body will naturally turn to our muscles and break them down to retrieve required amino acids. Given that strength and metabolism are largely driven by the amount of muscle mass we hold, catabolism of muscles is an undesired outcome.
Promoting Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3’s are essential to healthy function and need to come from our nutrition and meal planning. They have a few key functions. Firstly, they are a precursor to healthy neurotransmitter production. They are also anti-inflammatory in nature and help to combat the pro-inflammatory effects of a grain rich or poor diet, stressful lifestyle and rigorous training schedule which tend to be inflammatory in nature. A healthy balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also assists in maintaining healthy blood sugar regulation.
So, there you have it, there is method to our madness and all in the quest for a healthy, strong, and leaner you. Please feel free to respectfully comment and share your opinion and if you liked what you read, please like and share.
