Show your heart some love with a well-timed breakfast!
fcafotodigital / Getty Images
Weve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
For people who want tolower their cholesteroland improve their heart health, breakfast is a great place to start.
Photo:fcafotodigital / Getty Images
Starting your day with a heart-healthy breakfast can go a long way in keeping your ticker in top shape.
So, does it matter what time you have breakfast?
We asked dietitians to weigh in.
Read on to find out when they recommend eating that first meal of the day.
I recommend eating breakfast within two hours of waking to help manage cholesterol.
Why does that matter?
Many of my clients who skip breakfast often find themselves overeating later, says Rouse.
Of course, not everyone has time to cook breakfast.
The Benefits of Breakfast
There are multiple benefits to incorporating a healthy breakfast into your morning routine.
How, exactly, does a healthy breakfast improve heart health and lower cholesterol?
Whole-grain toast or cereal provides B vitamins, which may help lower homocysteine and risk for heart disease.
Rolled oats are known to lower serum cholesterol as well.
For extra cholesterol-lowering power, Rouse suggests reaching for more plant-based foods in the morning.
At the same time, youll want to avoid high-sugar offerings such as doughnuts, pastries and the like.
While its unclear if their sugar actually increases cholesterol, they often travel with cholesterol-raising saturated fat.
So, take a stab at eat breakfast within two hours of waking up.
Youll be much less likely to miss it.
And youll rack up other benefits, like fewer cravings, a happier mood and more energy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Cholesterol Facts.
2021;100(44):e27629.
2022;1(1):CD013320.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013320.pub2
American Heart Association.Added Sugars.
