No universal breakfast: Dietitian dispels myths for healthier, mood-enhancing mornings

Isn't everyone an early riser, so breakfast isn't necessarily about eating as soon as you wake up but rather about having a meal within the first hour of getting out of bed.

Skipping breakfast can drastically lower blood sugar levels, impairing cognitive abilities, irritability, disorientation, and fatigue. Moreover, without breakfast, metabolism slows down, which can increase body weight or make it more challenging to lose weight.

Eating without depriving yourself can help clear arteries from cholesterol.

Dietitian Maya Feller advises incorporating foods into breakfast that positively affect mood. These include nuts, bananas, and eggs, which boost serotonin production, products that support gut health such as fermented items, and fiber-rich oatmeal. Any food that benefits our gut health will likely enhance our overall well-being and mental state.

Dark chocolate can also promote mood improvement, although it's recommended as an addition, not the main component of breakfast.

Include foods high in heart-healthy fats and complex carbohydrates in your breakfast menu.

Excellent choices include a sandwich with smoked salmon and avocado on whole grain bread, a fruit salad with yogurt and nuts, scrambled eggs cooked in olive or rapeseed oil, waffles with peanut butter and fruit, or a raw vegetable salad with boiled eggs dressed with oil.

Indeed, there is something delightful for everyone.