A colleague of mine once told me that, "it would be better to eat a doughnut in the morning, than to eat nothing at all." For a long time, these words filled my head with the conviction that, not only was said colleague completely out of his mind, but moreover that news of this could potentially be a big break for those who make their living in the business of Long Johns and Boston Crèmes. Of course, his philosophy was clearly rooted in sarcasm, and in no way would I condone a diet of this nature.

Still, we would be hard pressed to locate even one health-savvy soul who hasn't been beaten about the brain with theories on why breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Who hasn't? But in light of these constant reminders, it seems as if more and more of us perpetually opt not to eat in the morning, under the assumption that a skipped meal automatically equates to less calories throughout the day, and therefore less potential for unnecessary weight gain. Wrong.

This is where my colleague's pseudo-doughnut theory begins to make some sense. Assuming that a fair percentage of final meals are consumed between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 PM, and further assuming that these same people eat lunch at approximately high noon the following day, this leaves a 15-18 hour window in-between meals-just enough time for the body to get the impression that it is starving to death. But the body is a complex work of metabolic mastery-wired at conception with a fantastic array of defense mechanisms to help us survive these situations. Unfortunately, they don't offer much benefit in the long scope.

Skipping meals, especially breakfast, forces the body's metabolic process to slow down in order to conserve the nutrients and other compounds that it has on-hand. In a nut, we become metabolically thrifty. By the time the 12 o'clock lunch whistle blows, most people find themselves so hungry that they either overeat, or find themselves justifying some gargantuan portion of fast or processed foods. But remember, the body has slowed things to a metabolic crawl. The combination of extra large portions, low grade food, and a slacking metabolism creates the perfect setting for weight gain, sluggish afternoons, mental disorientation, and a wealth of other undesirable scenarios.

Depressing, I know. But there's an easy way around this, and it only takes a few minutes each morning. Remember, breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but this does not mean that it has to be the most elaborate. Something as simple as a bowl of cereal, a bagel (go easy on that cream cheese), or some fruit can jumpstart the metabolism in ways that most people simply have to experience to believe. Over time, the body becomes very comfortable with this schedule, working around the clock to make the most of the calories with which it is provided.

Depending on your unique situation, some dietary supplements can help support many of the most essential day-to-day systems of the body. Let's take a look at a few of the best get-up-and-go-supplements:

Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Considering how deep the nutritional gaps are in today's average diet, taking a multiple every day is one of the most important things a person can do. It fuels the body with the nutrients it needs to produce enzymes, hormones and other vital compounds needed to function at one's pinnacle.

Antioxidant Cocktails Hi-ORAC fruit drinks that contain Mangosteen, Pomegranate, Noni, Acai, and others, are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals and organic acids. Look for formulas that contain Hi-ORAC values, in addition to a versatile arrangement of antioxidant-rich fruits.

CoQ10 Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day, and each one of these beats requires Co-enzyme Q10. Taking it in the morning is an outstanding way to make sure that your entire cardiovascular system has a viable source of energy and antioxidant protection. To increase absorption, try taking it with a healthy fat, such as Fish oil, Flax, Evening Primrose or Borage.

Phosphatidyl Serine Every thought, impulse, action and reaction is at the mercy of how well your brain is able to communicate with the rest of your body. Phosphatidyl Serine is a phospholipid that assists in the process of neurotransmission. Studies have shown that it helps support memory, mood and mental clarity.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids In addition to the role they play in supporting healthy cardiovascular integrity, Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote a positive mindset, energy production and cellular protection. The body desperately needs Omega-3, but is incapable of manufacturing its own supply. 3,000 mg daily is recommended for optimal results.

Enzymes Today's fast paced, on-the-go, heavily processed diet is grossly lacking in enzymes. This excuse, however, is one that your body has no empathy for. Without them everything suffers, and the digestive system takes one of the hardest biological hits. To help make the most of your meals, especially those on the go, get in the habit of taking a good plant-based digestive enzyme formula before each meal.