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Are you having back pain with any of the following?

  • Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
  • Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
  • Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
  • A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.

We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.

We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.

Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.

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The Benefits of Breakfast

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While you are sleeping, your body is fasting and restoring energy levels. By eating breakfast soon after you wake up, you are literally "breaking the fast" by giving your body and brain the energy needed to function throughout the day. Eating breakfast also increases your metabolism and may help you to burn more calories throughout the day.

A healthy eating pattern

Studies have shown that most people who have lost weight and kept it off eat breakfast every day. If you are trying to lose weight, don't try to cut calories by skipping breakfast. Eating breakfast will help you to feel more satisfied and make you less likely to overeat later in the day.

Nutrition benefits

Many breakfast foods, like oatmeal, enriched cereals, and fruit, are low in fat and calories and full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Your body needs these to function properly throughout the day. Breakfast is a great opportunity to eat nutritious foods like whole grains, fruits, and dairy products.

Additional References:

Making Breakfast Part of Your Day

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Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, but many people find it hard to eat in the morning. The good news is breakfast can consist of many different foods – even nontraditional items like leftovers or snacks. Breakfast might be a few hours after you wake up, especially for those who start the day early.

Start small
If you don't feel hungry in the morning, start with something small, like a piece of toast or half of a container of yogurt. Once you get used to eating earlier in the day, you can slowly add more to your morning meal. Or try having a glass of water or juice when you first wake up and then eat breakfast once your appetite has increased.

Pack and go
If you don't have time to eat in the morning, bring plenty of packable foods to work or school. Try string cheese, whole-grain crackers, yogurt, or packets of oatmeal. A piece of fruit is also a great choice – bananas, apples, and oranges hold up well in a large purse or backpack.

Plan ahead
If time is an issue, you may want to consider waking up a bit earlier each day. Making the time to enjoy a healthy breakfast is well worth it. Keep some quick and easy options handy for when you're running short on time.

Additional References:

Morning Meal Ideas

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If you aren't a breakfast person, remember that your choices don't have to include "typical" breakfast foods. Choose foods that are nutritious (read the label) and that appeal to your taste buds. We have listed a few nontraditional breakfast food ideas below. To avoid boredom, try changing your breakfast options regularly. Eat a variety of whole grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables such as:

  • Oatmeal with raisins or fresh fruit
  • Whole-grain cereal with nonfat or low-fat milk
  • Whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter
  • Corn tortilla with beans
  • A veggie omelet and a piece of whole-wheat toast
  • Hardboiled egg (great for on-the-go!) and a piece of fruit or whole-grain toast
  • Salmon on half of a whole-grain bagel with light cream cheese
  • A fruit smoothie (fresh or frozen fruit) made with nonfat yogurt
  • Half a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread
  • Dinner leftovers like soup, stew, pasta, or casseroles
Additional References:

Related Health Tools:

Interactive Programs
Personal Logs and Diaries
Podcasts
Videos

See more Health Tools »

If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.

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