Is Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day?

YES, nutritionists and dieticians all agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Your body has been at rest for eight or more hours. It’s been in a fast without food or water.

When you wake up your body’s internal fuel tank is on “Empty”. You need to fill it up and get it ready for the day. You should eat within one hour of waking up.

If you don’t eat your body will stay in starvation mode to preserve energy. You’ll likely feel worn-out through out the day.

Eating in the morning makes you mentally efficient and alert. It gives you vital nutrients and vitamins your body needs for optimal performance during the day. Some studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast each morning helps to reduce depression.

According to Webster dictionary, the word breakfast means:
The first meal of the day especially when taken in the morning

The top three nutritional mistakes Americans make are …

1. Skipping breakfast
2. Eating too little in the morning (like a cup of yogurt)
3. Eating fast food for your morning meal. Fast food lacks nutritional value, has high calories and fat.

What are the benefits of eating breakfast?

1. It jumpstarts your metabolism
2. It aids in weight loss
3. It gives you energy for the day
4. It helps your brain to function properly, helping you to think clearly
5. Improves short term memory
6. It nourishes our body, making it less likely to overeat later
7. School age children perform better on test scores

Even though we’ve heard our entire lives that breakfast is the most important meal of the day … Most people skip it …

Why do so many people skip breakfast?

1. There’s simply not enough time …
MAKE the time to eat. Get up fifteen minutes earlier. You can make it the night before. With a little planning it’s easy to eat a healthy meal every morning.

2. To assist in weight loss …
STOP skipping breakfast to lose weight. Numerous studies have proven that we eat more calories through out the day if we don’t eat in the morning.

3. Can’t “stomach” solid food in the morning …
Then DRINK …
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Protein Shakes
Smoothies
Vegetable or Fruit Juice

How does breakfast affect your weight?

After sleeping all night our bodies are in starvation mode. Our metabolism is at its slowest, burning very few calories while we slept.

The fastest way to wake up your metabolism is to EAT. Your metabolism instantly increases to provide the energy necessary to digest the food you ate.

If you normally don’t feel hungry in the morning, eat anyways. After years of skipping breakfast … you may be ignoring your bodies signal that it needs food. After a couple weeks of eating each morning, you’ll begin to wake up, feeling hungry and looking foward to eating.

Studies have proven that people who eat breakfast …

1. Eat fewer calories through out the day
2. Don’t suffer from blood sugar highs and lows
3. Have more energy
4. Make healthier food choices
5. Eat less saturated fat
6. Weigh Less

What Should I Eat?

A good HEALTHY breakfast INCLUDES protein, fiber and a small amount of fat.

Protein and fiber help you to feel full and satisfied longer.

Protein also gives your mental energy a boost. Eat between 300 to 500 calories. No more than 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of sugar.

Combine high protein foods such as eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt and meats with a high fiber toast, muffin, bagel or pita pocket. Add some fresh fruit for a filling healthy start to your day.

It’s important to read labels. Know what you’re eating. Cereal and milk is a great choice. Especially Oatmeal. There are some great cold cereals out there, such as Kashi Go Lean, Wheaties, and Total etc. Some cereals are heavily laden with sugar and lack some of the nutrients we need.

You should try to avoid high fat, high sugar foods. Coffee and a doughnut for an example may give you quick energy, but it is short lived. So when your energy drops what do you do? Probably reach for another high-sugar item – for that quick pick me up.

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF. Begin each and every day by eating a healthy breakfast.

By Guest Writer Janice Holbrook

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