I am sure you have heard before that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Benefits of eating breakfast include weight management, increased energy, and an improved overall mood. Eating breakfast has also been shown to improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Skipping breakfast on the other hand, may result in headaches, faintness, difficulty concentrating, and increased risk of disease. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits of breakfast:
Weight Management
Eating breakfast can help with weight management and weight loss. The National Weight Registry found that those dieting who eat breakfast tend to lose weight and keep it off. This may be because eating breakfast can help decrease your appetite and the likelihood of binge eating later in the day. When you skip breakfast, your body tries to conserve energy rather than burn. Adults and children who regularly skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.
Increased Energy
Breakfast can provide you with a boost of energy to start your morning. When your breakfast consists of items like whole-grain breads and cereals--which should provide at least four grams of fiber per serving--you're providing energy to fuel your body for the entire morning. In the morning, you have an empty tank of energy from fasting overnight, so it is important that your body gets breakfast to break that fast and provide you with necessary energy for your day.
Improved Mood
Not eating breakfast can leave you feeling faint and fatigued. In a study from the International Journal of Food Science and Behavior, 144 volunteers found that those who had breakfast cereal prior to the test sessions arrived in a better mood and were even calmer following the sessions than those who did not. According to the Nutricion Hospitalaria journal, breakfast has also been related to improvements in attention and cognitive function in all age groups.
Decreased Risk of Disease
According to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, skipping breakfast was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. Consumption of breakfast has been shown to improve blood sugar control and cholesterol. According to a study from Public Health Nutrition, skipping breakfast is associated with a significantly increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Regularly eating breakfast is an important factor in the prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
If you find yourself struggling to eat breakfast or what to eat, speak with a Registered Dietitian to help you assess your needs.
Learn more about healthy eating and other wellness programs offered by Wellness Workdays.
Written by: Luis Tejeda, Wellness Workdays Dietetic Intern
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