If pancakes are your go-to breakfast or your kids happily dig into a bowl of sugary breakfast cereal every morning, it is easy to see why these options make their way onto the breakfast table – they are tasty, convenient and require little to no prep. However, while these breakfast staples may save you time in the kitchen, regularly starting the day with a sugar-heavy meal could be working against your metabolism . What you eat first thing in the morning can set the tone for your blood sugar, hunger, cravings and energy levels for the rest of the day.
Dr Mark Hyman, a renowned physician, author and functional medicine expert, and founder of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, explains why starting your day with a sugar-heavy breakfast may not be the best choice for your metabolism and why adding a protein-rich source to your morning meal is essential. Stop eating dessert for breakfast. Adding a source of protein to your breakfast can change the way your metabolism functions at the start of the day. Protein not only helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves satiety, but may also prevent weight gain and stabilise mood. Dr Hyman recommends starting your day with simple, high-protein and balanced breakfast options that can support metabolism, promote satiety and help keep blood sugar levels steady throughout the morning. These include: Dr Mark Hyman , MD, is a practising family physician and an internationally recognised leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer of Function Health, founder and Director of The UltraWellness Centre, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Functional Medicine and Board Member for The Institute of Functional Medicine.
In an Instagram video shared on August 24, the physician highlights, “Your breakfast is either medicine or poison. Start with 30 grams of protein and watch what happens to your energy, your cravings, and your waistline! Because the body uses more energy to digest and process protein compared with carbohydrates and fats, this is.

