Imagine waking up in the morning to your best friend, your dog, staring up at you with excitement, knowing that breakfast is coming. You'd be hard pressed to walk by Rover and leave for work without feeding him, so why would you skip breakfast? Breakfast is the first chance you have to nourish your body in the morning and it can set the entire tone for the rest of your day.
Metabolic Function
Your metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body uses to maintain homeostasis and function of your cells. This rate is dynamic, meaning that your body can use more or less energy, depending on its state. Skipping a meal can make your body think that food is unavailable. Your body does not understand that your cupboard is filled with food, so it slows down. Your metabolism decreases, actually becoming more efficient, in order to reserve energy.
Breakfast
Regular eating, including breakfast, keeps your body working and your metabolism running. Your body's metabolic rate slows while you sleep because of the decreased need for cellular functioning. When you wake up, your metabolism is elevated. Eating a healthy breakfast can increase your metabolism even more, because increased digestive activity burns more calories.
Weight Control
Not only will breakfast increase your metabolism, it can also help you control your weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat during the day. A hearty breakfast can keep your satisfied until lunch, eliminating any late morning snacking. It can also help give you energy, possibly leading to an increase in your physical activity levels.
What To Eat
What you eat for breakfast also matters. A healthy breakfast consists of whole grain carbohydrates, fruit, protein and unsaturated fats. Try eating a whole wheat English muffin topped with peanut butter and a small glass of tomato juice. The combination of the fiber, protein and fat in your English muffin and peanut butter will help keep you satisfied by increasing blood glucose in a way that doesn't result in spikes and lows and the tomato juice offers your body some essential vitamins and minerals.
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