Advertisement
Besides brushing your teeth, washing your face, and eating a healthy breakfast, what are some healthy routines that nutritionists do first thing in the morning?
Cosmopolitan UK recently sat down with Naomi Mead, a nutritional therapist trained and accredited at the renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition, and asked her what she does in the morning to stay healthy, fit, and energized (besides the obvious). Her answers are not only incredibly easy but also really insightful.
Check out four things she does to get her morning started!
1. Have a glass of hot water with lemon and fresh ginger. "You should never dwell on what you've eaten the day before...far too many of us feel guilty if we've indulged or eaten 'bad' food. Instead, start the day in a positive way by having a glass of hot water with fresh ginger and lemon. Think of it as your personal reset button. It cleanses the digestive tract, stimulates the liver and gives you a nice shot of skin and immune-boosting vitamin C to start the day."
2. Have a teaspoon of maca powder. "This nutritionally-dense superfood can offer a great boost for those with low energy. Start with a ½ teaspoon a day, and work up to a teaspoon or two a day over the course of a few weeks. It has a subtle malty flavour, and can be added to smoothies, or sprinkled over your porridge or bircher. I love it in a smoothie with banana, almond milk, cinnamon, chia seeds and oats."
3. Take a probiotic supplement. "I take a daily probiotic supplement for both my digestion and immune system. Did you know that over 70% of the immune system is located in our digestive tract? Research has also shown that the stomach's gastric acidity is naturally at pH 4 or above in the morning, which is the best condition for the 'good bacteria' in the supplement to survive, so I always have one before I have breakfast. I recommend Optibac probiotics."
4. Spend 10 minutes sitting and eating breakfast. "We all have a tendency to try and do everything on the go, and one of the many reasons people love smoothies is that you can have them on the move. Which is fine every now and then, but I believe it's very important to get up a little bit earlier and give yourself time to sit and eat breakfast undistracted..not whilst checking e-mails/ doing your make up/ putting your shoes on! Not only will you chew, taste and digest your food better, but it's a good opportunity to calmly think about and plan the day ahead."
What do you think of these four things? Will you add any of these to your morning routine? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Copyright © 2014 Tobi Firestone/Flickr
