Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is a statement we’ve all heard many times before. Why is it so important though? Breakfast not only helps you burn calories throughout the day but it also gives you energy to focus on school work. Many different studies have linked eating breakfast to better health and a stronger memory and concentration level. Eating breakfast has also shown to lower cholesterol levels and the chance of getting diabetes or heart disease.
One reason breakfast is the most important meal of the day is because after going eight hours of not eating anything while sleeping, your body doesn’t get the energy needed to start the day. Going without breakfast after fasting for the duration of your sleep can affect concentration, mood and even weight.
Many people decide to skip breakfast in the midst of rushing to get out the door in the morning. However, the body needs food long before lunchtime. Skipping breakfast first thing in the morning can lead to hunger later in the day with a tendency to snack on foods with high levels of fat and sugar At school, many who have not eaten breakfast decide to stop at the snack bar for a bag of chips or a cookie. Because this isn’t the most nutritious breakfast, your concentration on school work may not be as high as possible.
Eating breakfast and making healthy choices can determine the calorie intake each day. Consuming more nutritious breakfast such as fruits, grains and lean proteins will help maintain blood sugar levels and prevent binge eating. Not eating most likely means that you are not getting all the nutrients your body needs. Controlling what you eat at the start of the day will help maintain weight levels throughout the day. Feeling extra hungry because of a missed breakfast means consuming more calories throughout the day.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition studied the effects of breakfast on a person’s diet, energy intake and body mass index over a span of five years. The study encouraged breakfast consumption as people who reported eating breakfast had a lower body mass index and a higher diet quality.
The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatricians studied adolescents and their breakfast frequency over the span of five years. The study found that children who eat more breakfast also had a lower body mass index. The study supported regular breakfast consumption among adolescents.
Eating breakfast every day before going to school is a smart choice because there are so many benefits. We go to school to get a better education, but remembering what we learn and concentrating on what we learn is a very important factor in our everyday lives. Eating a nutritious breakfast can help us focus in school and take care of our bodies.
