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Health coach lists the worst breakfast options for hormonal health: Is your Sunday brekkie on this list?

Published on: Aug 17, 2025, 09:12:54 IST
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Poha is among the worst breakfast options for your overall health (Pexels).
Poha is among the worst breakfast options for your overall health (Pexels).

Breakfast may seem healthy but can disrupt hormones due to sugar and low protein, causing energy crashes.

“Your breakfast might feel light and healthy, but it could be messing with your hormones," says Mankirat Kaur, a health coach in a recent Instagram post. Indians overall do not pay much heed to beginning the day on a healthy note with a balanced breakfast. It should have protein, carbs, and also some good fats, instead, we end up choosing the regular old poha or the plain butter toast. It does not give any nutrition and only adds on the bad calories.

Mankirat, therefore, listed a few usual suspects when it comes to bad breakfast options for your hormonal health and what to replace them with.

Check it out:

Cereals with milk

Packed with sugar & low in protein, leading to insulin spikes & energy crashes.

Better option: Swap for homemade granola with nuts/seeds + Greek yogurt for better blood sugar control.

Coffee/tea with biscuits

No real nutrition, just empty carbs that leave you hungry & craving more sugar.

Better option: Have coffee/tea after a balanced meal, and replace biscuits with a handful of nuts or an egg.

Sandwich

Refined bread + processed fillings = blood sugar spikes & inflammation.

Better option: Use whole grain/millet bread, add a protein like eggs/paneer, and load up on fiber-rich veggies.

Upma/Poha

While these seem healthy, they’re mostly just carbs, which can lead to quick hunger spikes.

Better option: 50% of it should have veggies , with 60% portion of upma/poha, and pair it with a protein source like paneer, sprouts, or curd for better satiety.

Fruit juice + toast

Sounds light, right? But it’s just a sugar bomb. No protein, no fiber = insulin spike + zero satiety.

Better option: Eat a whole fruit instead (fiber!) + pair it with nut butter toast or eggs for protein.

Instant oats (flavored ones)

Loaded with hidden sugars and very low in fiber or protein. Causes sugar crashes and cravings mid-morning.

Better option: Make plain rolled oats, add chia seeds, nut butter, and some fruit for balanced nutrition.

Only fruits for breakfast

Not enough to fuel your body. Just carbs = quick hunger and mood swings.

Better option: Pair your fruit with some protein like Greek yogurt, boiled eggs, or cottage cheese.

“Breakfast sets the tone for your hormones & energy all day! Prioritize protein, fiber & healthy fats to keep your metabolism, hormones, and energy levels in check,” she ended her post.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

  • Soumya Srivastava
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Soumya Srivastava

    Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.Read More

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