Why Breakfast is Important
Breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day. Whether your goal is weight loss or simply to be healthy, it is imperative that you make eating breakfast a regular habit. The benefits are numerous, ranging from medical benefits, like lower rates of diabetes to other benefits, such as increased satiety and weight loss.
When you’re in a rush, it’s tempting to skip your morning meal. However, when you skip your morning meal, you are telling your body that food may be hard to come by and that it should conserve energy. What happens is your metabolism slows and your body attempts to store fat.
Fortunately, we are no longer attempting to survive in the wild and we have a plentiful source of food and calories. However, your body does not know this. By eating breakfast to start your day, you will jumpstart your metabolism and be well on your way to reach your health goals.
With all the overwhelming evidence showing the importance of consuming a healthy and hearty breakfast, it is crazy that so many people are still skipping the meal. According to the market research company, NPD group, approximately 18% of males and 13% of females between the ages of 35 and 54 skip breakfast.
Listed below are 5 amazing health benefits to eating breakfast:
1. Breakfast decreases appetite.
Studies have shown that consuming breakfast first thing in the morning greatly decreases hunger and cravings throughout the day. Weird right? A lot of people skip breakfast to avoid eating extra calories. By eating a high-fiber, nutrient-dense breakfast early in the morning, such as whole-wheat toast with a side of fruit, you're actually less likely to be hungry throughout the day.
2. You eat less.
This is kind of an add-on to the first benefit of this list. By decreasing appetite, you are less likely to be hungry, and thus, less likely to eat. If you are a skeptic, a study conducted by the Journal of Nutrition in 2011 showed just this, as subjects who ate breakfast reported decreased levels of hunger throughout the day in comparison to the subjects who ate no breakfast.
3. You will improve your memory
Carbohydrates are essential for healthy brain functioning. By consuming high-quality whole-grain breakfast foods to start your day, you can improve your memory and concentration levels, as well as improve your mood and lower stress. Different studies amongst children have shown that kids who eat breakfast tend to have improved cognitive skills and perform better at school.
4. You can prevent type 2 diabetes
You read that right. There is significant research showing that you may be able to prevent diabetes by regularly eating a healthy breakfast. In a study conducted over a 10-year program, researchers found that people who regularly ate breakfast decreased their risk of diabetes by almost 30%. A possible explanation for this is that skipping breakfast can cause insulin resistance, which is a feature of Type 2 Diabetes.
5. You will weigh less
A study conducted in Europe conducted in 2010 and published in the Critical Reviews In Food Science and Nutrition, showed that those who ate breakfast had a reduced risk of obesity and had healthier BMIs. If you have a weight loss goal, adding healthy breakfast options to your diet could be a great choice.
Good Breakfast Choices
When choosing what to eat for your breakfast, try to eat whole foods that are full of nutrients.
Examples include:
- Eggs
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Yogurt: Low-fat Greek yogurt is best
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Oatmeal: The best options include steel-cut oats and overnight oats.
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Fruit: Fruit is high in fiber, and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, etc.
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Whole-wheat toast with nut butter
- High Fiber Cereal
- Low-Fat Protein Shake or Smoothie
*Try to limit sugary cereals, white bread, and other highly processed foods.
Eating a healthy breakfast has numerous health benefits. If you are serious about your health and want to lose weight, it’s important that you make regular breakfast consumption a regular aspect of your daily routine. If you struggle with eating breakfast because you don’t want to add one more thing to your morning routine, try Oats Overnight!
