Drink Your Breakfast

Jumanji9700
Jumanji9700 Posts: 45 Member
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
When I "really" started the weight loss process 6 months ago (*was 250 lbs) , I started with 1 small change (*many more have come over the months).

ALMOST every morning I have a fruit smoothie. This smoothie is nutrient dense so the body doesn't go into starvation mode even if I am not 100% full (*so say'eth some med journal I read back then).

I picked up the recipe from chef Alton Brown. For any who are interested, here is the recipe I follow:

8oz almond or soy milk
8oz acai berry juice
8oz some other "real" juice (I normally use pineapple juice from can)
8oz fresh banana
8oz frozen berries

Add the solids into the blender first, then the liquids. Blend on slow at first until the solids start becoming small then kick to high until basically nothing but liquid.

I know it sounds weird, but this was MY step 1 and does well starting my days off with a healthy kick :) I have more energy and find myself generally less hungry for snacking on the mornings I have these.
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Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Many of us find when we drink something we don't feel like we ate and it leads to overeating.

    Also, starvation mode is a myth. Studies actually show that after 14 hours in the fasted state your metabolism actually speeds up and doesn't drop below the normal level until 72 hours in the fasted state.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    4 eggs scrambled and 1/2 grapefruit or sometimes Coach's Oats.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    My breakfast lately is from this awesome sandwich machine. English muffin and two whole eggs. Sometimes I add bacon or ham and cheese.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    edited January 2015
    "starvation mode"

    LOL

    Whatever works, right? Even if for the wrong reasons...
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Starvation mode is a myth.

    I prefer solid food for breakfast with loads of peanut butter, and I only like my smoothies with alcohol.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    I rather eat food as drinks never keep me full for longer than 30 minutes.... besides fruits and veggies lose nutrients when you blend it. But I am glad it worked for you.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    If it works for you, that's great, but it isn't for me. I'm more of a bacon and eggs kind of guy.
  • aplcr0331
    aplcr0331 Posts: 186 Member
    I'm more of a bacon and eggs kind of guy.

    Most Men are...

    j/k OP, do what you like...especially if it works.

  • tonightokayalright
    tonightokayalright Posts: 289 Member
    Oatmeal with chia and flax made with almond milk has always been my go-to breakfast while losing weight. I kind of love it.
  • dorkyfaery
    dorkyfaery Posts: 255 Member
    I love smoothies for taste; sadly they just don't keep me full even when I make sure I'm hitting the nutrient checkbox. That's great that it works for you. Everyone should adjust their approach based on their personal preferences and needs!
  • Samina1215
    Samina1215 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks for the tip. sounds like a good starter or even mid morning snack.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    8oz almond or soy milk
    8oz acai berry juice
    8oz some other "real" juice (I normally use pineapple juice from can)
    8oz fresh banana
    8oz frozen berries

    700 calories; 148g carb, 15g pro, 9g fat, 16g fiber, 98g sugar

    My "go to" breakfast...

    1 cup 4%fat cottage cheese
    3/4 cup frozen berries

    300 calories; 23g carbs, 26g pro, 11g fat, 11g fiber, 13g sugar

    Thanks, but no thanks. I will continue to EAT my breakfast.

  • PhilP0wer
    PhilP0wer Posts: 76 Member
    I used to skip breakfast due to time constraints. It totally led to overeating at lunch and dinner. Now I throw together a protein shake every morning:
    1 cup 1% milk
    1 cup greek yogurt
    1 scoop of protein powder
    I use unflavored protein powder and get the flavoring from the greek yogurt. I suppose it's not for everyone but this way I can make and eat breakfast in less than 2 minutes.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    edited January 2015
    8oz almond or soy milk
    8oz acai berry juice
    8oz some other "real" juice (I normally use pineapple juice from can)
    8oz fresh banana
    8oz frozen berries

    700 calories; 148g carb, 15g pro, 9g fat, 16g fiber, 98g sugar

    My "go to" breakfast...

    1 cup 4%fat cottage cheese
    3/4 cup frozen berries

    300 calories; 23g carbs, 26g pro, 11g fat, 11g fiber, 13g sugar

    Thanks, but no thanks. I will continue to EAT my breakfast.

    That's what I was thinking...seems awfully high in calories and lowish in protein to keep me full through the morning.

    Of course, if it fits into your daily macro/calorie needs and you enjoy it...go for it.
  • SconnieCat
    SconnieCat Posts: 770 Member
    I love having smoothies occasionally in the morning. For me it's almond milk, spinach, Greek yogurt, a form of berries and protein powder.

    But I limit smoothies and limit the ingredients in them. For example, I wouldn't advocate for pineapple juice or mangoes since they're higher in sugar content than say raspberries.

    I was told by a doctor a while ago that it is ok to have a smoothie sometimes, but you want to limit how many you have. It all has to do with insulin levels and your metabolism as well as the breakdown of fiber when you change the composition of the food.

    I couldn't find the exact study she (the doctor) linked me to, but another article I find interesting follows: http://www.lanimuelrath.com/diet-nutrition/to-smoothie-or-not-to-smoothie-the-skinny-on-blending-your-fruits-and-greens/

    For some people, the smoothie-a-day-keeps-the-fat-pants-away method will work. For others, it's not a viable option. *shrug*
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    SconnieCat wrote: »
    I love having smoothies occasionally in the morning. For me it's almond milk, spinach, Greek yogurt, a form of berries and protein powder.

    But I limit smoothies and limit the ingredients in them. For example, I wouldn't advocate for pineapple juice or mangoes since they're higher in sugar content than say raspberries.

    I was told by a doctor a while ago that it is ok to have a smoothie sometimes, but you want to limit how many you have. It all has to do with insulin levels and your metabolism as well as the breakdown of fiber when you change the composition of the food.

    I couldn't find the exact study she (the doctor) linked me to, but another article I find interesting follows: http://www.lanimuelrath.com/diet-nutrition/to-smoothie-or-not-to-smoothie-the-skinny-on-blending-your-fruits-and-greens/

    For some people, the smoothie-a-day-keeps-the-fat-pants-away method will work. For others, it's not a viable option. *shrug*

    Unless you have a medical condition such as insulin resistance, PCOS or diabetes, you don't have to worry about insulin levels spiking. They self regulate. And if you want to get into the weeds, exercise and protein spikes insulin.
  • SconnieCat
    SconnieCat Posts: 770 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    SconnieCat wrote: »
    I love having smoothies occasionally in the morning. For me it's almond milk, spinach, Greek yogurt, a form of berries and protein powder.

    But I limit smoothies and limit the ingredients in them. For example, I wouldn't advocate for pineapple juice or mangoes since they're higher in sugar content than say raspberries.

    I was told by a doctor a while ago that it is ok to have a smoothie sometimes, but you want to limit how many you have. It all has to do with insulin levels and your metabolism as well as the breakdown of fiber when you change the composition of the food.

    I couldn't find the exact study she (the doctor) linked me to, but another article I find interesting follows: http://www.lanimuelrath.com/diet-nutrition/to-smoothie-or-not-to-smoothie-the-skinny-on-blending-your-fruits-and-greens/

    For some people, the smoothie-a-day-keeps-the-fat-pants-away method will work. For others, it's not a viable option. *shrug*

    Unless you have a medical condition such as insulin resistance, PCOS or diabetes, you don't have to worry about insulin levels spiking. They self regulate. And if you want to get into the weeds, exercise and protein spikes insulin.


    Good points, thanks. I probably should have explained myself a bit better.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    aplcr0331 wrote: »
    I'm more of a bacon and eggs kind of guy.

    Most Men are...

    I'm a raw fruit for breakfast kinda guy. Mostly blueberries and blackberries these days, packed with, yknow ... (< wait for it>) ... fruit sugars - fructose!

    A fructose molecule is a fructose molecule and there isn't a cell in anyone's body that gives two squats whether it was synthesized in a berry or a corn kernel.

  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    8oz almond or soy milk
    8oz acai berry juice
    8oz some other "real" juice (I normally use pineapple juice from can)
    8oz fresh banana
    8oz frozen berries

    700 calories; 148g carb, 15g pro, 9g fat, 16g fiber, 98g sugar

    My "go to" breakfast...

    1 cup 4%fat cottage cheese
    3/4 cup frozen berries

    300 calories; 23g carbs, 26g pro, 11g fat, 11g fiber, 13g sugar

    Thanks, but no thanks. I will continue to EAT my breakfast.

    Yeah, drinking 700 calories doesn't sound like fun, nor would it be beneficial for me (I don't even like fruit). I like either no breakfast (just coffee w/ creamer), or actual solid food for breakfast.

    I like eggs, veggies, and some sort of bread (tortillas, english muffin, toast). I can do that for around 300-400 calories and be fueled until lunch or morning snack after early workout. If I had the need for 700 calorie breakfast, imma eatin' double eggs, and adding in bacon and avocado to my usual ;)
  • Jumanji9700
    Jumanji9700 Posts: 45 Member
    I should clarify: This makes a full blender; I only drink a single glass at a time...
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    I should clarify: This makes a full blender; I only drink a single glass at a time...
    A full blender would be a single glass for me :smile: .. how many servings?
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Drinking my breakfast? You mean like an Oatmeal Stout? Yes please!
  • tracie_minus100
    tracie_minus100 Posts: 465 Member
    edited January 2015
    I have a smoothie first thing. Water, almond milk, banana, protein powder, spinach and ice. It's 215 calories and keeps me full for 2-3 hours. Then I make a couple of eggs.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    edited January 2015
    glevinso wrote: »
    Drinking my breakfast? You mean like an Oatmeal Stout? Yes please!
    Now we're talking!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    8oz almond or soy milk
    8oz acai berry juice
    8oz some other "real" juice (I normally use pineapple juice from can)
    8oz fresh banana
    8oz frozen berries

    700 calories; 148g carb, 15g pro, 9g fat, 16g fiber, 98g sugar

    My "go to" breakfast...

    1 cup 4%fat cottage cheese
    3/4 cup frozen berries

    300 calories; 23g carbs, 26g pro, 11g fat, 11g fiber, 13g sugar

    Thanks, but no thanks. I will continue to EAT my breakfast.

    White toast, 100g egg white, mushroom and cheese triangle with black pepper and 100ml milk for my daily coffee allowances

    245 calories, 28C, 23P and 4fat
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    edited January 2015
    glevinso wrote: »
    Drinking my breakfast? You mean like an Oatmeal Stout? Yes please!
    Like. Breakfast stouts are also a thing. And super tasty.
  • trisH_7183
    trisH_7183 Posts: 1,486 Member
    edited January 2015
    "michellemybelll wrote: »
    yep yep!

    typically, breakie for me = toasted english muffin with a serving and halfish of PB, or with cream cheese and jam.

    Yep.... This... Plus that smoothie is 3/4 of my calories and I will be sooooo hungry afterwards..

    It's oatmeal and 1/2 a bagel with fat free cream cheese. This helps get the oatmeal taste out of my mouth... LOL"

    Why have oatmeal you don't like the taste of? Maybe add the jam to it?

    A protein smoothie for breakfast keeps me full till a late lunch.If that gets tiresome,will move on to whatever,but eating the same meal on & on,regardless of how healthy......wouldn't work for me.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    Many of us find when we drink something we don't feel like we ate and it leads to overeating.

    Also, starvation mode is a myth. Studies actually show that after 14 hours in the fasted state your metabolism actually speeds up and doesn't drop below the normal level until 72 hours in the fasted state.

    yep yep!

    typically, breakie for me = toasted english muffin with a serving and halfish of PB, or with cream cheese and jam.

  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    Many of us find when we drink something we don't feel like we ate and it leads to overeating.

    Also, starvation mode is a myth. Studies actually show that after 14 hours in the fasted state your metabolism actually speeds up and doesn't drop below the normal level until 72 hours in the fasted state.

    yep yep!

    typically, breakie for me = toasted english muffin with a serving and halfish of PB, or with cream cheese and jam.

    Yep.... This... Plus that smoothie is 3/4 of my calories and I will be sooooo hungry afterwards..

    It's oatmeal and 1/2 a bagel with fat free cream cheese. This helps get the oatmeal taste out of my mouth... LOL
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    If I eat ANY carbs at breakfast (7am), I'm dosing & starving by 10am, so I'm gonna stick to my egg muffins and turkey sausage (179 calories with coffee/creamer). Thanks anyways.
This discussion has been closed.