I get up at a different time every day, so I do not have a fixed time to eat. What is the best time to have breakfast? (Tien, 34, Hanoi).

Answer:

It is strongly advised to have breakfast at a fixed time every day to create a conditional reflex. The best time to have breakfast is before 8 a.m., or 30 to 60 minutes after waking up. Having breakfast regularly helps you control your lunch and dinner portion, as well as maintain your blood sugar levels.

People have different breakfast choices, depending on their hobbies, weights, ages, and income. Anyway, the main point of a breakfast is to provide our bodies with energy, so if your breakfast can provide you with an abundant amount of energy, that is good enough.

Your breakfast should provide between 300 and 500 calories. It is recommended to have different food choices for your breakfast instead of having the same breakfast every day, as it can be boring having the same dishes over and over again.

Children and the elderly should consume things that are tender and easy to digest. Those who have diseases like diabetes, obesity, or cancers should follow their prescribed diet.

It should be noted that many people have rice noodles, sticky rice, or bread – dishes that lack vegetables – for their breakfast. It is recommended to add vegetables to your breakfast as well, in order for your body to be provided with all the four necessary nutrient groups: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Some good breakfast choices are bread with fried or omelet eggs, served with pickled or fresh vegetables. This provides your body with all of the necessary nutrients: carbohydrates from bread, protein from eggs, fats from eggs and oil, and vitamins and minerals from vegetables.