Eating for Energy Part Two

You probably already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But did you know that the composition of your breakfast could affect your energy throughout the day? Carbohydrates are sugars, including everything from simple table sugar in sodas and sweetened teas and coffees, to refined as well as whole grains. They all cause a spike in blood sugar, although the whole grains do so to a lesser extent.

This spike can cause our blood sugar to plummet 2-3 hours after ingestion, resulting in hunger, fatigue, and irritability. This is why we have coffee breaks at 10 am, just a few short hours after the initial sugar (or caffeine) has worn off. In fact, many times children with behavior problems or learning problems may just be suffering from the after-effects of sugared breakfast cereals or toaster pastries, especially if the problems occur at certain times in the day.