We grew up hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and even though many people might disagree with that opinion, eating a healthy breakfast undoubtedly has a lot of benefits. One of the main benefits is it might help you sleep better.

It is the meal that wakes up our metabolism and fuels our body with the necessary energy we need to start the day. If you begin your morning with a donut you will crave sugar for the rest of the day. On the other hand, if you skip breakfast it is very probable to overeat later on. That’s why a healthy and balanced breakfast will provide you with all the calories and nutrients your body needs to release energy and your mind to function properly.

The connection between sleep and breakfast

Breakfast kick starts your metabolism for the day, and it also helps set your body’s biological clock. Eating breakfast at the same time every morning sends a signal to your brain that it’s time to wake up. It also means your body will secrete less stress hormones throughout the day, and that translates into a calmer sleep once it’s time to hit the pillow at night.

If you love eating your breakfast in bed, then the Sealy Posturematic Adjustable Power Base is your perfect bed. Using the bed’s remote control, you can easily adjust the bed so you can sit comfortably while enjoying your delicious breakfast. Click here to find out more about Sealy adjustable beds.

Three healthy breakfast options

• Banana Chocolate Chia Pudding

Chia puddings are so versatile and easy to make, you can prepare them in bulk and top them with different fruits so that you don’t get bored of eating the same thing every morning.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• ½ cup of normal or plant based milk
• ½ banana
• 1 honey
• 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder

To make the banana chocolate chia pudding, start by adding the chia, the cocoa powder and the honey to the milk and mixing it well. Make sure there are no clumps of chia or cocoa powder and put it in the fridge for at least half an hour. You can also prepare it the night before and leave it overnight if you are in a rush. The chia will absorb the milk and the sweetness of the honey and it will turn into a chocolate pudding.

When you serve, cut the banana into slices and use it as a topping, you can also drizzle a little extra honey.

• Avocado & Turkey Breakfast Wrap

This is a tasty and fresh breakfast option that you can either have at home or pack for work or school. It is quick, simple and very nutritious. Avocado is an excellent source of healthy fats and fiber, spinach is rich in nutrients including Vitamin C and Vitamin A and the smoked turkey will give you the right amount of protein to keep you satiated and energised until lunchtime. (If turkey is not available, you can easily replace it with another cold meat, or simply go without meat.)

Ingredients:

• 1 flour tortilla
• baby spinach leaves
• 2 slices of smoked turkey (or another meat option)
• ¼ of an avocado
• ¼ cocumber
• ½ lemon
• olive oil, salt and pepper

To make the Avocado and Turkey Breakfast Wrap you start by mashing the avocado, adding a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of squeezed lemon, salt and pepper to taste and mixing it all together. Spread your avocado to the tortilla and add the slices of turkey, the slices of cucumber and after all your spinach leaves. Wrap your tortilla and you are good to go.

• Apple cinnamon overnight oats:

Overnight oats are very healthy and the best summer alternative to the typical oat porridge. Oatmeals are rich in fiber and protein while depending on the fruits and nuts you will choose to top them you get different macro and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of rolled oats
• ½ cup of normal or plant based milk
• ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• ½ apple
• almonds or walnuts (optional)

To prepare this breakfast recipe, start by adding your rolled oats, cinnamon and honey to your milk. Almond milk is perfect for this recipe but feel free to choose the milk of your preference. Prepare this mixture the night before and leave it in your fridge.

Before serving your oats, cut half an apple into small pieces, add it on top and sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon and a little bit of honey. If you want your apple to be caramelized and soft pop it for a minute into the microwave. Even though it is microwaved it literally looks like a baked apple.

Be motivated and eat a healthy breakfast

With simple recipes like these, eating a healthy breakfast can be an effortless habit, however, just like any other habit you need consistency to incorporate it in your routine. Start your day by nourishing yourself and quickly you will realise all the amazing health benefits you get by just eating a nutritious breakfast.