Episode 3: Supercharge Your Breakfast and Increase Your Energy Levels with May Tom, RD

Ali Segersten Feb 03, 2025
Podcast episode 3 May Tom RD

In Episode 3 of the Restorative Nourishment Podcast I am speaking with May Tom, RD. May is a registered dietitian with an extensive training in functional medicine and is a certified Functional Medicine practitioner. May received her undergraduate degree in physiology and neuroscience from the University of California San Diego. She received her master's in public health from Loma Linda University along with her dietetics license. May is passionate about optimizing patient outcomes through discovery, education, and behavior modification. In this episode, we're talking about how to upgrade your metabolism and increase your energy with a supercharged breakfast so you can function your best and live your life's purpose.

Are we starting off the day fueling properly? If you didn't sleep well and if you're under a lot of stress, it's easier to make poor dietary choices. Most people gravitate toward a carbohydrate-heavy breakfast after a night of not sleeping or during periods of high stress because carbohydrates reduce cortisol and also raise serotonin. It's a little bit of a self-medicating thing that we just gravitate towards when we're stressed or under slept.

How can we balance cortisol, blood sugar, and our circadian rhythms? We do this by consuming a high-protein, high-fiber breakfast with a good amount of healthy fats. A breakfast like this consumed at the appropriate time can be considered a zeitgeber, or "time-giver" to help entrain your body's circadian rhythm and balance cortisol levels. 

In this podcast episode, learn the best timeframe to consume breakfast after waking, what the best ratio of macros is for sustained energy throughout the day, and different nutrient-dense breakfast options to include in your weekly meal planning. 

Watch or listen to Episode 3: 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch on YouTube

Remote video URL

Consuming a high-protein breakfast with at least 25 to 30 grams of protein, at least 10 grams of fiber, and around 30 grams of fat will help stabilize blood sugar throughout the day, keeping you focused, energized, and greatly reduce food cravings for sugar and refined carbs.

Breakfast Ideas from our Meal Planner Mentioned in the Podcast:

Cottage Cheese, Egg, and Avocado Breakfast Bowls (note: 1 cup of cottage cheese contains 28 grams of protein)

Black Rice, Turkey, and Cabbage Breakfast Hash

Turkey Zucchini Hash

Overnight Chia-Oat Pudding

More Links:

May's Breakfast Video on YouTube

May's High-Protein Recipe List from Nourishing Meals®

Learn more about becoming a Nourishing Meals® member to get access to all of our nutrient-dense breakfast recipes and meal planning tools!

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About the Author

Ali Segersten

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. She is a Functional Nutritionist, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Alissa is the founder and owner of Nourishing Meals®.

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