A Fast Easy Solution to a more Balanced Breakfast
As every parent knows, little people are a roller coaster of emotions and balancing them can be a hair pulling experience. Most of the time those tough to deal with emotions and behavior are caused from the child’s body chemistry being unbalanced and usually, easily remedied with a more balanced diet. Starting the day out right and keeping blood sugar at an even level is key for optimal brain and physical function.
If kids are eating a breakfast meal of just toast and jam or a bowl of sugary cereal with milk, they are loading up on carbohydrates without counter balancing them with protein to prevent the insulin surge into their young bodies. Carbohydrates are converted to sugars (glucose) and digested quickly activating a high concentration of insulin to flow into the blood stream. This sudden increase of insulin causes a burst of energy and often externally interpreted by others as hyperactivity. Just as quickly, the insulin drops, causing low energy and irritable feelings of which those little bodies then crave eating more sweets and carbohydrates to get the energy back. A cycle interrupted and corrected only with better balanced nutrition.
The solution to leveling out blood sugar highs and lows is to consume some protein along with the toast or cereal in the morning. All it takes is adding a protein food to the breakfast, like plain yogurt with no added sugars and flavorings, some cheese, nut butter an egg or a small serving of meat or meat alternative. It not only balances nutrition better, the feeling of being satisfied and not hungry lasts longer. Just a little slows down the sugar from moving into the blood stream too quickly.
Yet adding protein foods when rushed can take time that we don’t always allow for in our morning routine. It is possible to nourish the body with foods that are quick to prepare and that kids will like. I found an easy solution to be a “milk shake” made with a good quality protein powder. Several brands of protein powders are available at health food stores and almost anywhere nutritional supplements are sold. They have been a popular dietary supplement for nutrients and to help build muscle mass for several decades. The kind of protein powder you choose will depend on your dietary needs. Egg and whey protein powders usually have the highest concentration of protein. Soy and pea protein based is also available and all usually come in vanilla, chocolate or strawberry flavors. Personally we use vanilla and flavor it to our preference.
Although I don’t advocate using commercially processed foods as being the main part of our food consumption, good quality protein powder is an exception when our diet looses out because of other life demands and can offer more benefit than harm. However, like all commercially produced foods to protect oneself, one must read the label to avoid added sugars, artificial sweeteners, in particular aspartame and it’s counterparts and artificial flavorings —there are many cheap forms. Milkshakes-smoothies with some added protein powder are delicious, loaded with support for the body and can be a satisfying meal replacement as well.
This is what has become a mainstay at our house when in a hurry or for an afternoon pick-me-up. If making shakes and smoothies are new to you, keep it simple in the beginning until you figure out your own combination preferences.
Banana Milkshake and Variation:
I haven’t met a kid that wouldn’t drink up this simple nourishing shake.
In a 2-liter blender add:
Place lid on blender and whirl until smooth.
Add 4 good scoops of vanilla protein powder with the blender on slow speed until well mixed.
If you need it sweeter, add honey or maple syrup to taste or even a small amount of blackstrap molasses for a boost of nutrients if the flavor is desirable. Top the blender with milk or water while whirling on slow speed.
Serves 4-6 people.
The possibilities are limitless, Enjoy!
Gaye Chicoine is a professional photographer by trade who loves to travel and experience the world. She is a mom to six life learning entrepreneurial young adults, and partner to husband Ed, chiropractor. After several years working in the photographic profession and teaching photography at the college level, Gaye became a full time mom and home-schooled—un-schooled all six children throughout their formative years and beyond. In 1997, Gaye, her husband and children, aged three to twelve at the time, sold everything and drove from Canada to the bottom of South America and back, over a three and a half year period.
To learn more about Gaye Chicoine and her work visit her website HERE