Breakfast, the saying goes, is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast is a big part of developing a healthy lifestyle. Simply starting your day off with a meal can help fuel your body, prevent you from overeating, improve your nutritional intake and increase your energy for the day.
Fuel Your Body
While you are sleeping, your body continues to function and repair any damages. Your body burns calories while sleeping, but also tries to conserve calories because you are not eating during this time period. When you wake up, you also need to wake up your body. Starting your day with a meal will give your body the fuel it needs to begin functioning without trying to conserve calories. Even if you just eat something small to start your day, your body will be awake and have the fuel to function properly.
Prevent Overeating
Eating breakfast brings your body out of starvation mode and back into normal functioning. If you skip breakfast, you'll be hungrier later in the day. The onset of hunger may cause you to overeat at your next meal or snack. Eating breakfast will actually help prevent overeating. Your body won't feel starved, so you'll be able to manage eating properly portioned meals the rest of the day. Eating breakfast also helps decrease your desire to snack late at night. If you're trying to lose weight, don't skip a meal as good for you as breakfast.
Improve Nutrition
People who regularly eat breakfast often make healthier, more nutritious decisions throughout the day. Breakfast can also be a great way to meet your nutritional needs. Many breakfast cereals, for example, are fortified with vitamins and nutrients you may be lacking. Milk and juice make great additions to breakfast and allow you to get an extra serving of fruit or dairy. Cereals, pancakes, waffles and oatmeal can all be topped with fruit to change up your normal meal and squeeze in another serving of produce.
Energy for the Day Ahead
If you skip breakfast, you are missing out on a crucial energy source. Starting your day off with breakfast not only refuels your body, but also gives you the energy you need to do your day-to-day activities and be ready for a workout. Skipping breakfast may make you feel more sluggish and fatigued. Starting your day with proper nutrition will help you stay focused and perform your daily activities.
References
- American Council on Exercise: Don't Skip Breakfast to Cut Calories
- American Dietetic Association: Overcoming Excuses for Skipping Breakfast
- American Heart Association: Tips for Eating Breakfast
- MayoClinic.com; Why does eating breakfast help control weight?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
- MyClevelandClinic.org: Breakfast: Why You Can't Skip It
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