If you’re a frequent traveler, you may be treated to a continental breakfast at your hotel each morning. The traditional Continental Breakfast has evolved from European-inspired pastry and fruit platters to include a variety of cereals, exotic fruits, bagels, and even yogurt. This does give you some flexibility when you’re watching your weight, and you have plenty of healthy food options to fill up on. Still, there are also some foods to avoid; here are a few of the healthiest food choices at the continental breakfast:
Healthy Foods to Eat at the Continental Breakfast
Fruit platter: Almost all Continental Breakfast spreads feature an assortment of fresh strawberries, melon, oranges, and grapefruit. Fill up on as much fresh fruit as you want to, and enjoy the exotic fruit medley.
Granola: It’s becoming more common to find granola on the breakfast menu, so enjoy a small serving (1/2 cup or less) to for some healthy carbohydrates and sugar. Granola does contain a significant amount of fat, however, so mix this up with any yogurt, skim milk, and fruit for a complete meal.
Tomato or Vegetable Juice: Fresh juice is a great way to start your day, and gives you a boost of vitamins and minerals you need. Drink up with a glass of tomato or vegetable juice to complement your breakfast.
Fresh fruit smoothies: Order yourself a fresh fruit and yogurt smoothie to enjoy a refreshing meal – in a glass! Smoothies are a great way to start your day on the right track.
Lowfat yogurt: Pick up a cup of yogurt and top it with granola or fresh fruit for your meal. It’s a healthy start that will give you plenty of protein and healthy sugar for energy.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is usually served as a cereal choice at the restaurant, so enjoy yours with lowfat yogurt or skim milk, fresh fruit, and a sprinkling of granola.
Foods to Avoid at the Continental Breakfast
Bagels: Those oversized bagels do look enticing, but looks can be deceiving. The average gourmet bagel contains over 400 calories per serving, a far cry from the classic bagel with only 180 calories. Skip the bagel completely, or just eat half of it if you really need it.
Bear claws and sweet pastries: Not only are these sure to sabotage your diet, but you’ll also set yourself up for a sugar high and crash for the rest of the day. The average bear claw contains over 400 calories and 20+ grams of fat.
Small croissants: These all-butter pastries are plenty tasty, but also full of fat and calories. The average small croissant contains almost 9 grams of fat and 170 calories. Save the fat for dessert at dinner and start your day off with a healthier choice.
Muffins: Those giant muffins are full of fat and sugar, and are rarely made with your good health in mind. A gourmet muffin can easily be 300-400 calories, and contain upward of 15 grams of fat. These are more like the equivalent of miniature cakes, so skip those muffin tops whenever possible.
From healthy granola to tasty smoothies, you have a number of healthy food choices with the continental breakfast. Just skip the plates of pastries and bagels, and get your healthy start with lighter fare instead.
