Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, but you should be starting it off right, with a balanced meal that contains protein, fiber, and healthy fats. And this means that there are certain things that you should avoid.

Breakfast cereals are among the foods that aren’t great for breakfast, although they might be quick and easy when you’re in a rush! However, the reason these cereals are not good is that they are often filled with sugars (the higher they are on the nutritional label means that the more sugar there is in the cereal). According to Healthline, eating foods with high sugars can lead to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Even eating cereals that claim to be “whole grain” are not necessarily good for you, and it’s been reported that this is simply a marketing term used to describe foods that contain a certain amount of whole grains.

Waffles and pancakes don’t seem like the healthiest choice for breakfast, and they’re not because they are filled with simple carbs. Even if the packaging on these pre-prepared products claims to have fiber or whole grains, check the nutritional label to make sure it’s the right serving. The same can be said for pastries because they are high in calories as well as sugar content.

Even oats can prove to be an unhealthy start to your day if you’re not paying attention to what you’re putting into them. According to Eat This, Not That!, many people are eating oats that are too sugary by adding brown sugar and too many fruits or simply choosing the already flavored oats.

Fruit and low-fat yogurt is not always the best option, as Men’s Health notes that although it may seem healthy, it’s a meal that’s filled with simple sugars and your body will burn the energy that they provide very quickly, leaving you hungry again in a short amount of time. Instead, it’s better to opt for Greek yogurt which has a higher protein content, topped with berries and walnuts.

Another quick and easy breakfast would be toast with butter or margarine, but this has very little nutritional value. The fact that it’s high in refined carbs, yet low in fiber, means that this sort of breakfast could cause a spike in blood sugar and make you eat more at the next meal.

Eat This, Not That! also notes that it’s not just what you eat but also what you drink and people should be mindful about not using creamer in their coffees, drinking energy drinks that are high in caffeine and sugar content, and always drink water in the morning.

_{[Image via Shutterstock]}