Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and with good reason. Like gasoline in your car, breakfast provides the fuel you need to take on the challenges of your day. Breakfast powers up your body and your brain and reduces the risk of weight gain. Even a quick breakfast is better than nothing.
Concentration
Studies show eating breakfast improves attention and academic achievement. In one study of school children published in the journal “Indian Pediatrics” in October 2008, those who ate breakfast every day had better concentration, attention, memory and academic achievement than those who skipped breakfast. Hard-boiled eggs can be a smart breakfast choice. Besides being quick and easy, eggs contain choline, a nutrient that may benefit your brain. Higher intakes of choline were found to be related to better cognitive performance in a study published in the December 2011 issue of “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
Weight Control
Breakfast helps you maintain a healthy weight by reducing hunger later in the day. Skipping meals has been shown to lead to overeating at snack time or lunchtime as hunger gets the best of you. Additionally, the prolonged fast that occurs when you skip your morning meal can increase your insulin response, causing fat storage and weight gain, according to the Mayo Clinic. In fact, skipping breakfast increases the risk of obesity, the clinic reports.
Overall Health
Starting your day with a nutritious, healthy meal lays the foundation for healthy habits. People who eat breakfast tend to consume less fat and cholesterol because they're less likely to pig out on junk food due to hunger, according to Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian in St. Louis and former president of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating a nutritious breakfast also gives you more energy, Diekman says. Skipping breakfast is associated with decreased physical activity, according to Mayo Clinic. When you have the energy to be active, you’re more likely to be fit and healthy, says Diekman.
Tips
Breakfast can be any nutritious food. A bowl of soup, a sandwich or leftovers from last night’s dinner can work as breakfast, notes the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For a more traditional quick breakfast, stock your kitchen with ready-to-eat cereal, hard-boiled eggs, small bagels, yogurt and fresh fruit. If you're a breakfast skipper because you're not hungry in the morning, Diekman suggests having a glass of 100 percent juice and a piece of whole-wheat toast before dashing out the door and a nutritious mid-morning snack within a few hours.
This post was written by: Author Name
Your description comes here!
Get Free Email Updates to your Inbox!
Post a Comment