It may be tempting to skip breakfast, especially if you are running late on time in the mornings or are interested in losing weight. However, eating breakfast instead of skipping it can actually help you weigh less! Let’s quickly go through the reasons why.
First off, when you wake up from sleep, the last time you had food was maybe 10 hours ago or even more. The carbohydrates you consume are broken down into glucose and this keeps your metabolism going for the day. Skipping breakfast not only prevents your body from getting this energy for the day, but causes you to feel hungry quickly and eat unhealthy snacks or overeat later on in the day. In fact, research shows that those who regularly eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight or obese. Breakfast prevents large fluctuations in your blood glucose levels and this helps control your appetite, and therefore weight.
Also, breakfast helps your brainpower. Ever wonder why you feel tired or why you can’t focus well in the morning? This might be because you are skipping breakfast. Research shows that children and adolescents who do eat breakfast perform better academically than their peers who do not. Even if you are no longer a student, breakfast still greatly helps your concentration and memory. Making breakfast a daily habit before heading off to school or work is a great way to start off your day.
Breakfast does not have to be super fancy! Simple fruits, yogurt, oatmeal, or toast can provide a nutritious and healthy meal. If you are bored with what you are eating, trying new and different recipes can be a great way to avoid eating the same items all the time. If you do not have a lot of time in the morning, breakfast can be prepared the night before or simple items can be kept at your workplace if allowed. All children attending New York City public schools are eligible for free breakfast everyday as well.
Altogether, breakfast can be easily prepared and accessed, repetition can be avoided by trying new recipes, and most important of all, it is the most important meal of the day.
References: Better Health. “Breakfast.” Reviewed December 3, 2020. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/breakfast#skipping-breakfast