The Most Important Meal of the Day - Why is Breakfast Important?
Breakfast and Health
When you replenish your body’s fuel in the morning, your body will have a greater supply of glucose. This can increase your concentration in the morning, as well as your ability to complete complex tasks. It will also give you a boost of extra energy that will help you undertake any physical activity. Not only that, people who eat breakfast tend to take in more vitamins and minerals during the day, while at the same time avoiding less nutritious fare. Any more questions about why breakfast is so important?
Breakfast and Dieting
Some people skip breakfast because they’re sure it will help them lose weight. Not so, found researcher Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz of Virginia Commonwealth University. She performed a study on 96 obese women and found that in the long run, eating a large breakfast is more helpful in losing weight than eating a low-carb diet. Jakubowicz said that many of the subjects of the study who ate a large breakfast reported feeling less hungry over the course of the day. Breakfast can give your body a kick-start that energizes you all day long. Because you’re less hungry, you’ll be less likely to indulge and more likely to be active.
Breakfast and Kids
Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day for adults and children alike, many studies have focused on how important breakfast is for school-aged kids. Children who eat breakfast every day will most likely experience better hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and ability to concentrate. Not only that, they may also be more alert and show better creativity, which are important factors in their ability to learn in school.
A Healthy Breakfast
Ideally, a healthy breakfast should contain portions from most of the food groups – some whole grains, some fruits or vegetables, some dairy products, and some protein. Try a healthy breakfast cereal with some milk, topped with blueberries. Alternatively, scrambled eggs with cheese on whole grain toast can be a delicious way to start your day. If you’re in a hurry, try grabbing a yogurt and topping it with some granola, fruit, and nuts. Even a cereal bar is better than nothing to get your metabolism going in the morning. Remember: Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day!