I am a salty person, so even for breakfast, I go for toasted bread with a fresh avocado rather than a cupcake or brioche.
But What we eat for breakfast depends on each person, some prefer it sweet, others salty. The important thing is that it is always balanced. Whether breakfast should be sweet or salty is a matter of personal preference and cultural traditions. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as people around the world enjoy a wide variety of breakfast foods, some of which are sweet, while others are savory or salty.
Traditionally, we move towards a sweet breakfast. However, be careful with the dose of sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels and make you hungry after just a few hours. Here are some considerations for the sweet option:
1. Energy Boost: Sweet breakfast foods, such as pastries, pancakes, and cereals, can provide a quick source of energy due to their carbohydrate content.
2. Satisfaction: Many people find sweet breakfast items to be satisfying and comforting, making them a popular choice to start the day.
3. Variety: Sweet breakfast options offer a wide range of choices, from fruit and yogurt to muffins and waffles. This variety allows individuals to customize their breakfast based on their cravings.
4. Cultural Traditions: In some cultures, sweet breakfasts are the norm. For example, pastries and sweet bread are commonly enjoyed in many European countries.
Savory breakfasts, on the other hand, are less sweet but often rich in fat and salt, hence the importance of limiting the consumption of cold meats and alternating eggs, fresh cheeses, and dried vegetables.
One thing is certain, a savory breakfast has more benefits than a sweet breakfast, for several reasons.
5 reasons why a savory breakfast is better than a sweet breakfast.
1. It provides a greater and longer feeling of satiety
A savory breakfast is more satisfying thanks to the presence of proteins: eggs, fresh cheeses, dried vegetables, or lean meats. These proteins provide a prolonged feeling of satiety and, combined with the fiber present in the bread and vegetables that accompany the meal, allow you to arrive at lunchtime without cravings.
2. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels by avoiding blood sugar peaks
Sweet breakfast usually contains more sugar than savory breakfast because it relies on biscuits, cornflakes, or brioche. These are foods that increase blood sugar levels, give a temporary feeling of fullness, and trigger insulin production. The production of this hormone, however, is short-lived and when it stops, a drop in energy and a feeling of hunger are felt. This is why, an hour and a half after breakfast, the feeling of fatigue sets in quickly, and the craving for sugar returns.
With a salty breakfast, insulin production remains stable and the feeling of hunger only arrives around lunchtime. The savory breakfast is therefore an ideal meal for diabetics or people resistant to insulin.
3. It is practical when you are in a hurry
Carrying milk and cereal after a workout at the gym is quite a hassle. On the other hand, the savory breakfast is practical, because it can be prepared in the evening or the morning before leaving the house. So, for those who like to sleep longer or for those who are always late, it is still possible to eat a healthy and complete meal on the way to work or while sitting at your desk.
4. It comes in several options, suitable for everyone
We have seen why savory breakfast is ideal for diabetics and insulin dependents, as it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels without spikes. More versatile than a sweet breakfast, it offers a wide range of products to choose from to suit all profiles. For example, it is easy for people with lactose intolerance to choose a protein source that suits them, unlike a sweet breakfast where the choice is limited to milk or yogurt.
On the other hand, the choice is wider when it comes to bread, crackers, breadsticks, or pancakes made from rice, corn, oats, buckwheat, or legumes.
5. It is energetic and, therefore ideal for athletes.
An ideal pre- or post-workout breakfast should include a good amount of whole-grain carbohydrates, a good dose of digestible protein, a source of energy-producing fats, and a source of vitamins and minerals (such as phosphorus and potassium). This promotes muscle recovery as well as the replenishment of consumed energy reserves, and this is why a savory breakfast is ideal.
Did I convince you to shift from a sweet to a savory breakfast?
