How Breakfast Helps With Weight Loss

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Hunger Control

Eating breakfast first thing in the morning will reduce the likelihood that you will find yourself making poor choices at the vending machine at work. Moments of weakness occur when hunger is unbearable. Starting the day off with a healthy breakfast reduces the risk of overeating later in the day. According to Mealsmatter.org, there is evidence that individuals who eat breakfast stay on track with their diet the rest of the day because they do not get overly hungry.

Energy Boost

During your sleep your body processes the last meal you ate the evening before. Waking up with an empty stomach and continuing your daily activities may be a struggle without replenishing your energy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy breakfast refuels the glycogen stores in the body that supply blood sugar. The Mayo Clinic also points out that skipping breakfast is related to decreased energy. Not only does a reduction in energy make you feel lethargic, but it can also make it difficult to maintain any exercise routine you have in your weight loss plan. Mealsmatter.org encourages breakfast because it has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and insulin resistance syndrome. Insulin resistance syndrome is an early sign of diabetes.

Not Just Any Breakfast Food

According to the International Journal of Obesity, individuals who ate eggs for breakfast instead of bagels had a significantly greater reduction in body fat. The egg eating group in this study also had a greater success rate in losing weight when the healthy breakfast was combined with a reduced-calorie diet throughout the day. Mealsmatter.org points out that individuals who eat cereal for breakfast weigh less than their counterparts who do not. This suggests that eating sugary breakfast items may not be as effective in weight loss as other choices. Sugary foods are not as satisfying as those high in protein and fiber. Try whole grain cereals and eggs instead of high fat and sugar convenience foods.

Metabolism

Mealsmatter.org suggests that skipping breakfast leads to a slower metabolic rate. The speed with which your body metabolizes food, turning it into energy--refers to the metabolic rate. Metabolism is important to understand during your weight loss efforts. Metabolism naturally varies in people from slow to fast. Eating small meals spread throughout the day can keep your metabolism going. Starting with breakfast can encourage your metabolism to work, thus expending calories. The key to any weight loss goal is consuming fewer calories than your body can burn in a day.

Sarah Irene

About this Author

Sarah Irene holds a master's degree in clinical psychology. Having written stacks of research articles dating back to 2000 and consulted in a number of settings, she is able to be a resource for a vast range of topics. She has been a psychology instructor since 2006 and has had her work published by LIVESTRONG Health and ParentDish.

Last updated on: 01/04/10

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