The 6 Things You Should Never Eat for Breakfast, According to a Nutritionist

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, as it can fuel you with all the protein, nutrients, and energy you need for the hours ahead. However, eating the wrong breakfast may do more harm than good. Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, also known as The Diet Diva, is Body Network's Resident Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is a Board-Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies. She recently revealed to us the 6 things you should never eat for breakfast, and you might be surprised by what is on her list.

The first item you should skip? Sugary cereals. "They might be convenient and taste great, but they're often loaded with added sugars and refined carbs, leading to a blood sugar spike and crash shortly after," Collingwood says.

Another grab-and-go item you should skip? Pastries, including donuts, croissants, and muffins."These are basically desserts disguised as breakfast," Collingwood claims. "High in sugar and fat, low in protein and fiber — not ideal for starting your day."

While yogurt is often healthy, if it tastes like dessert, you may want to reconsider. "Sounds healthy, right? But many flavored yogurts are packed with sugar (sometimes more than a candy bar) and artificial flavors. Go for plain Greek yogurt and add your own fruit or nuts," Collingwood suggests.

You can eat toast in the morning, but make sure it is healthy. "White bread offers very little nutrition — it's quickly digested, leaving you hungry again soon. Combine that with sugary jam or just butter, and there's not much staying power," says Collingwood.

Breakfast meats, like bacon and sausage, aren't the best choices. "Delicious, but processed meats are high in saturated fats, sodium, and preservatives. They can be part of a balanced meal occasionally, but not ideal as a daily breakfast staple," says Collingwood.

You might have grown up drinking a glass of fruit juice in the morning, but Collingwood doesn't advise carrying that habit on. "It might seem like a healthy choice, but most juices are high in sugar and lack the fiber of whole fruit. Drinking juice causes a rapid sugar spike — better to eat the actual fruit," she suggests. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I'm a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.