It seems like a good idea, eat less to lose weight right? While the theory is right, it’s important to cut calories from the right places. Skipping meals, like breakfast, seems like it will cut down on your daily calorie intake, but it actually makes you gain weight. Skipping breakfast not only creates a ravenous hunger that will make you eat more later on, but it signals to your body that there isn’t enough food around and your body then slows down your metabolism for the rest of the day.

So how about a morning doughnut with your coffee? If only it was that easy! What you eat for breakfast also has a huge effect on how your body processes food for the rest of that day. That doughnut is a refined carbohydrate, and causes insulin levels to spike which signals your body to store fat instead of burning it.

To kick start your day with a calorie burning boost, eat a breakfast made of slow burning carbohydrates. Oatmeal, cereal bars, or granola with yogurt make quick and easy breakfasts, just be sure to choose things that are not loaded down with added sugars. Some whole wheat toast or muffins are easy to pack in your bag or eat on the road if you don’t always have time to eat at home.

Remember, eating a healthy breakfast will help you cut out those late night desert calories too! The best way to lose weight is to eat right.