Bryan Harris | Don't skip breakfast!

Your mother's words were never more true than when she said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You spent the entire night fasting, and now you need energy to get through your day. 

Even though we know those famous words are true, why do so many of us still fail to eat in the morning? 

Here are three common excuses for skipping breakfast and simple ways to overcome them:

Excuse #1 

No time in the morning

If you say you don't have time in the mornings to eat breakfast, why not prepare your breakfast the night before? Or, better yet, go to bed a half hour earlier, wake up a half hour earlier and you have those few minutes to prepare breakfast and start your day off right! Having a healthy breakfast with family members is a great morning routine.

Excuse #2

No appetite in the morning.

The cause of no appetite in the morning may be due to the fact that you ate before bed the night before (yet another reason to get rid of the late night eating!). If this isn't the case and you're just not a breakfast person, why not try something less conventional for breakfast? A great choice would be a homemade smoothie blended with low-fat milk and fruit of your choice.

Excuse #3: 

Skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight.

If weight loss is your goal, eating breakfast helps — not hinders — weight loss. Eating breakfast keeps your metabolism chugging along, gives you the energy you need to live an active lifestyle, and helps to prevent cravings and overeating throughout the day.

Try having a light breakfast of low glycemic index that won't raise blood sugar levels. 

Breakfast options

So you've quit giving excuses for not eating breakfast. Now you just have to decide what to eat. Here are some great breakfast options.

• Eggs: Nature's perfect protein! Eating protein keeps you feeling full longer. Fried, boiled, poached or in omelets, eggs are a great start to your day.
• Greek yogurt: Same as eggs, Greek yogurt is packed with protein, making it a great breakfast and snack item.  Toss in some mixed fruit.
• Oatmeal: Loaded with fibre, oatmeal is great at keeping your belly feeling full longer. Add mixed berries for extra taste and vitamins.
• Fruit: Similar to oatmeal, many fruits pack loads of fibre. The extra bonus of sweetness makes them a great start for your day.