We can all agree on a few things when we’re talking about mornings:

• They’re much better if you get to snuggle with someone furry.
• Coffee, tea or green juice makes them a lot easier to navigate.
• A nourishing breakfast (made with love) can set the tone for the entire day.

That may be where the similarities end.

Some of us like to work out before the sun is up, some of us prefer to sweat after work. Some of us leap out of bed with joy, some of us need to be coaxed out with lots & lots of caffeine. Some of us do well with a sweet, fruit-based breakfast, and some of us thrive on salt & pepper and savory herbs before 9 a.m.

Which breakfast-type are you? Sweet or savory? 

A lot of people feel more grounded and centered when the day starts out on a salty or spicy note. While others need something sweet in the morning and can’t resist the siren song of sugar (even in its natural forms).

But many of us have been eating sweet breakfasts forever without even thinking about it. (We don't know any different!) We grew up with breakfast cereal or pancakes, and now we’ve moved on to apple pie smoothies or quinoa porridge  or not so basic oatmeal.

So I’m asking you to pause for a second and examine your morning rituals–are you starting your day off in the most nourishing way for your body? Does a sweet breakfast, even one that is perfectly balanced, lead you to temptation (i.e., sugary cravings) for the rest of the day? Would you be better served with a heartier, more savory breakfast like Sweet Potato & Kale Breakfast Hash  or Baked Avocados with Eggs?

Spoiler alert: the only correct answer is what’s right for you.

Let’s make this an experiment! Spend the next week being intentional about your breakfast choices and really, consciously monitoring how the rest of the day goes. 

All you have to do is alternate starting your day with something sweet and with something savory. Doing this on opposite days will help you compare the results more accurately.

Mid-morning, during each day of this experiment, ask yourself a few simple questions:

How are my energy levels?
Do I feel focused?
How’s my level of hunger—do I still feel full?
What’s my mood like?
How are my cravings? 

When you begin each morning with the food that best serves you and your body—no matter what you read or what your best friend is doing—it can shift your entire day. The answer cannot be found in a book…or on a blog. Consult your inner nutritionist, she’ll never lead you astray!

In the comments, I’d love to know—do you prefer a sweet or savory breakfast? Have you noticed that one works better for you?

P.S. If you’d like some more breakfast ideas, sweet or savory, I rounded up a few of my favorites here and here.