Between the time your alarm clock rings and running out the front door to start the day, you might be tempted to save time by skipping breakfast. Others do eat, but opt to break their fast from the previous day by downing a doughnut or a quick bowl of sugary cereal. Neither is a good choice. Instead, get your day off to a good start by eating a healthy breakfast.
Boost Your Brainpower
Eating a healthy breakfast replenishes the fuel your brain needs to function well. Without breakfast, your abilities to learn new information, use visual and spatial reasoning, remember things and maintain focus and alertness suffer. Many studies since the 1950s have demonstrated that children who eat a healthy breakfast do better in school, according to NPR. Foods with protein, fiber and a low glycemic index keep blood sugar steady and have the best affect on brain function.
Improve Your Health
If you skip breakfast, you could be skipping important nutrients. Eating a healthy breakfast gives you an additional opportunity to get all of the nutrition you need over the course of a day. Regular breakfast eaters tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and make healthier food choices overall. A healthy breakfast also refuels your body and gives you the energy you need to be physically active.
Control Your Weight
Eating breakfast may be an important factor in maintaining a healthy weight. The National Weight Control Registry, an agency that tracks data on successful dieters, reports that 78 percent of people who are successful at maintaining weight loss long-term eat breakfast every day. Eating a healthy breakfast can prevent ravenous mid-morning hunger that has you running to the vending machine, and it prevents the insulin response from prolonged fasting that encourages your body to store fat and extra pounds.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
A healthy breakfast includes a source of protein, whole grains and fruits or veggies to provide good nutrition and sustained energy. Have a bowl of old-fashioned oats or whole-grain cereal high in fiber and low in sugar with a cup of skim milk and sliced strawberries. Eat one or two slices of whole-wheat bread topped with peanut butter or melted low-fat cheese and tomato slices. Try a cup of plain, low-fat yogurt with almonds and fruit. Grab a couple of cheese sticks, a handful of almonds and some red grapes for a healthy breakfast on the run.
References
- National Weight Control Registry: NWCR Facts
- MayoClinic.com: Why Does Eating Breakfast Help Control Weight?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; July 25, 2009
- NPR: A Better Breakfast Can Boost a Child's Brainpower; Allison Aubrey; Aug. 31, 2006
- "U.S. News Health"; 9 Great Breakfast Ideas for Kids of All Ages; Nancy Shute; Oct. 1, 2008
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