Your Morning Routine May Be Costing You Your Health
article by Emily Collyer
Is This Really the Top Breakfast Search on Google?
Did you know that one of the most searched breakfast queries in Australia is "Mcdonalds breakfast menu"?
Yep. I fell off my chair too.
Unless that's you?
Here's the thing: you could take a 3 minute detour, sit in a drive-through queue for 5-10 minutes, and drop $12 on a burger that leaves you hungry and foggy by 11am.
Or, you could spend 5-10 minutes making something at home (or at work) that:
- Keeps you full for hours
- Balances your blood sugar
- Provides a wide range of nutrients
- Get through the day with clarity and focus
- Helps you feel fuelled and ready for the day
(And probably costs less per serve)...
Let's talk about why breakfast is so much more than a meal.
Fuel Your Body The Way It Was Designed To
The first meal you eat sets the tone for your entire day- from your brain chemistry, your cravings and your ability to regulate your nervous system throughout the day.
When you start your morning with the wrong foods, your body spends the rest of the day trying to rebalance. That's because breakfast isn't just about calories- its about communication. The food you eat sends a powerful signal to your brain and nervous system, influencing how you function for the rest of the day.
Whole, nutrient dense foods provide your body with the raw materials it needs to function, repair and thrive- vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes that fuel cellular processes. Every system in your body relies on this input: your hormones, neurotransmitters, immune health, skin and brain are all built and regulated by whats on your plate.
Start your day with a balanced meal prioritising
- Quality protein: chicken, beef, fish, legumes, tofu
- Fats: butter, extra virgin olive oil, avocado, fatty fish, nuts and seeds
- Carbohydrates: fruits and vegetables
This method supports:
- Blood sugar stability
- Reduced cortisol and adrenaline
- Fewer cravings
- Better energy regulation
- A more resilient nervous system
The Result?
- No 3pm crashes
- Fewer mood swings
- Longer focus and clearer thinking
- A stable responsive metabolism
The Problem with "Traditional" Breakfast Foods
Did you know that the "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" slogan was a marketing effort by Kellogs in the 1950's to sell more cereal?
Traditional breakfast foods like Special K, Rice Bubbles, muesli, toast and jam, flavoured yoghurts - Lets call them what they are: ultra- processed foods (UFP's). These may contribute to blood sugar fluctuations and energy dips, especially when eaten first thing in the morning.
Not much has changed. Breakfast foods are some of the most misleading marketed foods "superfood," "fortified." "low carb," or "detoxifying," while still being loaded with sugars and synthetic additives.
Singing "Im Lovin' It" at the drive thru? Just pause and ask- will your biology be lovin' it too? Because from where I'm standing, it looks more like a list of numbers than real, nutrient dense food.
Micronutrients Are the Real Breakfast Crisis
No wonder nutrient gaps are increasingly common in modern diets. Add to that, over 3 billion people cant afford a nutrient-adequate diet. And many who can... still aren't eating one.
This is why we care so much about nutrient density.
A common misconception is that eating fruit and vegetables will fill the gap, and while they provide phytonutrients and fibre, some plant compounds may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients in specific contexts. Animal sources like red meat, poultry and beef organs (liver, spleen, heart and kidney) are incredibly nutrient dense. And, this forms the idea behind why we created our products.... freeze dried organ meats.
They've got the golden arches. We've got the sacred cow. Freeze-dried organs: Packed with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
5 Steps to Victory
If you're ready to build a better breakfast habit, try these healthier recipes:
- Look past the notion of "traditional" breakfast foods. It is totally ok to have dinner left overs for breakfast.
- Eat structured meals, not snacks.
- Prioritise protein and fat at breakfast - this is your foundation
- Change your routine (e.g. wake up 5 minutes earlier to prepare breakfast and avoid temptation on your drive)
- Stock your fridge and pantry with real food snacks, ready to go when hunger hits.
And, if you're serious about changing your habits? Commit to these 3 breakfast for the next 3 weeks. It takes 21 days to break (and re make) a habit - start with whats on your plate.
3 Easy Nutrient Dense Breakfast Ideas
Energy Boosting Cacao Pancakes
Carnivore BLAT or 5 Minute Breakfast Bowl
On-The Go Smoothie
Start your day feeling nourished and supported
You deserve better than a 10am crash and a 3pm sugar spiral. Let your body experience what its like to start the day in a state of stability, satiety and strength.
P.s Need more breakfast inspo? Follow along @ancestral_nutrition or click here for more healthy recipes.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional before making dietary changes.
