Today, it is all about your Morning Cup? So, what’s in your morning cup? Let’s learn from each other on what is good to go in your morning cup, and what some of us put in that cup, and what works and what does not work!
Buddha says, “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” And, I will add a corollary to that, saying how you start the day is how the day will unfold. In the beginning is written the ending. So, start right and live your life the way it works to your advantage. Most people I know have a morning cup which gets them going for the day. Sometimes it is tea or coffee, sometimes it is lemon and honey, and different things work for different folks. We simply need to be aware of what that morning cup is doing for us and how to make it work in our favour.
My clientele is mainly women, and men above 45 years, who are either obese, pre-diabetic or have full-fledged Type 2 Diabetes. Now, in case of both obesity and diabetes, we all know that morning fasting sugar is a great indicator of insulin resistance which is linked to chronic inflammation, which is also linked to both these lifestyle problems. Also, when you wake up in the morning, you have had at least 10 to 12 hours of time without any food going in (unless you have had a midnight snack, eh). For both these lifestyle related disorders it is very important not to have a sugar spike early in the morning, because blood sugar spikes are the enemy of diabetics and obese people. Not just diabetes and obesity, but also for all people who want to live healthy and long lives, because consumption of sugar is also linked to lesser longevity. So, direct sugar consumption in tea/coffee/biscuits and indirect sugar in the form of carbohydrates is to be completely avoided in the morning. Even lemon and honey is not a good idea as one spoon of honey is all it takes to shoot up that sugar level in your blood. There are many gentle ways to slowly raise your fasting sugar levels during the day without sudden spikes. As we go along, I would reveal some of these secrets to you.
What do I recommend other diabetics and overweight people and other clients for early morning consumption? I would say, be gentle with your fasting sugar and insulin. Wake up, warm up with a glass of warm water which you can infuse with your blessings and wishes for the day. Later, get a great nutrition punch with your favourite concoction of green smoothie or green juice. And when that has gone down well enough, take on a healthy and substantial breakfast, which can contain a bowl of low-glycaemic fruits, followed protein rich breakfast with low carbs so the blood sugar levels rise very slowly. Ideally a 30-45 minutes gap between smoothie, fruit and breakfast. I have learned to make so many nice protein rich, dal-based breakfasts on my diabetes reversal journey and mostly Indian recipes that are healthy and tasty too! Try to avoid grains like poha, upma, oats because they are pure carbohydrates in your bloodstream.
I believe what works for me need not work for you or for everybody else. Being a Health Coach, I do know from my experience that each person needs a customized meal plan. Nevertheless I can share what it is that I do first thing in the morning. I take a few grains of dhania or coriander seeds with two glasses of warm or room temperature water as soon as I wake up and have brushed my teeth. This helps balance my thyroid hormones and gives me a shot of immune boosting nutrients. Getting busy in making morning green smoothie with lots of green leaves and an apple and many other nutrients about 20 minutes later. Then, it’s on to some sprouts or salad of some kind, or some low glycaemic fruit like strawberry and dragon fruit, followed by a protein rich sumptuous breakfast which sets me up till lunchtime. I might take a cup of Darjeeling tea with almond milk with my morning newspaper after breakfast.
What you put in your morning cup will set the tone not just for your day, but for your life as well. So be mindful and live happy!
