On those cold mornings at sea, many seafarers depend on coffee, tea, and water to perk-up and get to work. Although these beverages may go well with a healthy breakfast, offshore catering services must provide many more options. Why? Because a lot rests on that first meal: Breakfasts rev-up the body’s metabolic engine and help to maintain our inner circadian rhythm. As a result, seafarers who eat bigger breakfasts often experience an elevated mood and refined focus on-the-job, both of which go a long way in improving the quality of life onboard a merchant vessel.
Breakfast for Weight Loss
Did you know that skipping breakfast boosts your risk of obesity by 450%? According to Virginia Commonwealth University, those who eat 600 calories or more at breakfast lose weight faster than those consuming a meager 300 calories in the morning. But not everything comes down to calories. Protein plays a huge role in weight loss, as we will explore a bit more below.
Caterers and seafarers who want to manage their weight should consider eating at least 8 grams of fiber at breakfast to prevent mid-morning hunger cravings. Similarly, proteins provide the body with energy and leave the stomach feeling full for longer. Although sugary breakfasts do provide a quick rush, they are full of empty calories and the energy does not last.
The trick is to eat foods that do not require large portions in order to reap the nutritional benefits. Aim for calories from nutritional sources like oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, strawberries, cantaloupe, berries, or bananas (to recommend a few). Just remember, breakfast is an essential meal and it determines much of one’s eating patterns throughout the day. For this reason, offshore catering services must contemplate their offerings carefully.
Best Meals to Serve at Breakfast
As briefly itemized above, offshore catering services should stock the following breakfast provisions:
-- Oatmeal lowers cholesterol because of its fiber content. As well, it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium.
-- Yogurt provides the body with calcium and protein (Greek yogurts offer twice the amount of protein).
- - Bananas give seafarers “resistance starch,” a carb that supresses hunger. Furthermore, the potassium works to lower blood pressure.
-- Eggs are considered a healthy source of protein and omega-3, but it’s still best to eat in moderation. On other days, almond butter can be a great substitute as another source of protein and monounsaturated fats.
-- Flaxseed in smoothies and cereals adds more than 100% of a seafarer’s daily intake of heart-healthy fats. Combined with cereal — one with at least 5 grams of fiber and no more than 5 grams of sugar — this can also become a great source of fiber, folic acid, riboflavin, and many other essential nutrients.
-- Berries are infamous superfoods because of their antioxidants. Complement any breakfast with grapefruit as well!
