Skip the Bars and Boxes: AIIMS Specialist’s Guide to a Healthier Morning

If you’re grabbing a protein bar or a box of “high-fibre” cereal for breakfast and thinking you’re making a healthy choice, you might want to think again. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist with training from AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, suggests these popular options aren’t doing your gut any favors.

 

Here’s what Dr. Sethi recommends:

 

Most protein bars and processed cereals are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients, even if the labels make them sound healthy. According to Dr. Sethi, these can actually irritate your digestive system instead of helping it.

 

For a genuinely gut-friendly breakfast, he suggests sticking to basics. His go-to combination is oats, chia seeds, and plain yogurt. This mix gives you natural fibre, healthy fats, and probiotics, which all work together to keep your digestion on track.

 

Oats are a great source of fibre, chia seeds add both fibre and omega-3s, and plain yogurt brings in the good bacteria your gut needs.

 

Dr. Sethi also says you don’t need to go overboard with fibre supplements or raw salads, especially if your body isn’t used to them. Too much fibre at once can leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable.

 

If you like a little sweetness in the morning, he suggests adding fresh fruit to your oats or yogurt instead of reaching for sugary cereals or flavored yogurts.

 

His advice is simple: stick to whole, unprocessed foods in the morning, and your gut will thank you.

 

Source: Hindustan Times