A healthy, well-rounded breakfast can help you maintain your energy and concentration throughout the morning. It can also lay the foundation for a day of healthy eating choices, helping you to meet your nutritional needs and control your caloric intake. Unfortunately, 10 to 30 percent of the general population skips breakfast in the United States and Europe, according to a 2005 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
Energy
Eating breakfast allows your body to replenish glycogen stores after an overnight fast, notes MayoClinic.com. Glycogen stores supply blood sugar, or blood glucose. A healthy breakfast should include whole grains, low-fat protein and fresh fruits or vegetables, according to the American Dietetic Association. These nutrient-dense foods can give you the energy to get plenty of physical activity during the day, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Nutrition
Adults who eat breakfast on a regular basis tend to maintain more nutritious diets that include less fat and cholesterol and more vitamins and minerals, according to MayoClinic.com. Breakfast can benefit the overall nutrition of both children as well. In a 2005 study published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," researchers at the University of Florida Food Science and Human Nutrition Department found that children who reported eating breakfast regularly typically had better nutritional profiles than children who regularly skipped breakfast, according to a 2005 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
Work and School Performance
Adults who eat a healthy breakfast may have better concentration and productivity in the morning, notes MayoClinic.com. Nutritious breakfasts can also improve children's performance at school, according to the American Dietetic Association. In a 2005 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," University of Florida researchers found an association between breakfast consumption and improved cognitive function, memory, school attendance and school performance.
Healthy Weight
Protein and fiber-rich whole grains can keep you full for hours, helping you to control your appetite and maintain a healthy weight. Prolonged fasting associated with skipping breakfast can increase your body's sensitivity to insulin, increasing the amount of fat your body stores, notes MayoClinic.com. Children who reported eating breakfast regularly typically consumed more calories per day but were less likely to be overweight, according to a 2005 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
References
- American Dietetic Association: Better Breakfasts
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Breakfast Habits, Nutritional Status, Body Weight, and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents; G.C. Rampersaud, et al.; May 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Healthy Breakfast
- MayoClinic.com: Breakfast: Why Is It So Important to Weight Control?
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