You've heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but the reasons for this might surprise you. Eating breakfast can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your concentration and performance through the morning, and keep your blood sugar stable. Skipping breakfast means missing out on a chance for essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber.
Attitude and Energy
During the night, your body uses up the energy stores of the previous day. Your blood glucose levels are low and you need to refuel in the morning to feel your best. Skipping breakfast can leave you feeling tired, sluggish or even cranky throughout the morning. You won't have the energy for a workout, and if you do go to the gym, won't do your best. Children often behave poorly and struggle in school if they skip breakfast.
Hunger
If you skip breakfast, even if you think you're fine, you're likely to be hungry well before lunch. For kids and some adults, this might mean being distracted and uncomfortable until lunchtime if there's not a chance to eat. You also might find yourself drawn to the candy machine, grabbing a soda, or finding a box of doughnuts in the office. Hunger leads you to make unhealthy food choices throughout the day.
Poor Nutrition
Cutting breakfast out of your day cuts out a significant opportunity for nutrition and leads to a lower-quality diet overall. A healthy breakfast provides you with protein, complex carbohydrates and even a start on your daily fruit and vegetable intake. Even a simple breakfast like whole grain cereal with milk and juice provides a significant amount of iron, calcium and vitamin C. Many people find that starting the day on the right foot leads to healthier eating throughout the day.
Weight
Even if you're skipping breakfast because of time rather than pounds, breakfast eaters are less likely to be obese than those who skip the morning meal. While poor food choices, increased snacking and lower activity levels contribute, going without breakfast also can increase your insulin levels. Higher levels of insulin produce increased fat storage and weight gain.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Why Does Eating a Healthy Breakfast Help Control Weight?; Katherine Zeratsky
- "U.S. News"; 5 Reasons Never to Skip Breakfast; Chelsea Bush; Aug. 16, 2010
- KidsHealth.org: Breakfast
- American Dietetic Association; The Proven Benefits of Breakfast; June 28, 2007
- AskDrSears.com: Brainy Breakfasts to Improve School and Work Performance
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