Breakfast has long been held as the most important meal of the day. Like most widely held beliefs, this has been questioned in recent years. This led us to wonder: How important is it to your health? We’ve analyzed the research to answer that question.
Is Breakfast Important?
There are many factors that go into what makes a meal important. Our bodies vary, especially with hunger cycles, so it’s impossible to say that breakfast is the most important meal for everyone.
That said, “a large and growing body of scientific evidence” align with the idea that it’s important to a healthy diet. This is partly because of the wide range of benefits that you can get from both a balanced meal and eating before starting the day! What are these benefits? Well…
The Benefits of Breakfast
Eating breakfast benefits your mind, body, and weight. Physically, eating in the morning gives us an energy boost at the start of the day. People who eat early are also less likely to have blood-sugar problems, which can lead to diabetes or high cholesterol. Finally, breakfast can be a good source of many important nutrients. Depending on what you eat, your breakfast may be packed with fiber, calcium, and protein.
The mental benefits are also clear. Studies show that it can help everything from your short-term memory and concentration to your mood.
One of the most surprising effects of breakfast is on weight loss. This may seem counterproductive – that eating can make you lose weight – but research has shown that breakfast increases your resting metabolism by as much as 10 percent!
Breakfast also makes you feel fuller. In fact, a high-protein meal About (35 grams) is enough to reduce hunger throughout the day. The study’s participants also made healthier eating choices after dinner.
It’s pretty clear that there are many reasons to eat each morning. But how can you get the 35 grams of protein and nutrition for a good meal? If you’re on the go, a six-ounce serving of Greek yogurt and a protein bar offers more than enough to see the benefits. If you have a bit more time in the morning, read on.
Getting A Balanced Breakfast
When you have a bit more time in the morning, you can make yourself a delicious morning meal that’s also healthy. First, cook up two eggs however you like, though over easy is our preference. Eggs are nutrient-dense, meaning they offer many benefits compared to their calorie amount. One egg has roughly seven grams of protein, iron, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids, to name a few.
Pair your eggs with oatmeal, which is rich in nutrients and easy to make. There are a variety of types, but most cooks will be familiar with instant oats. You can make these on the stovetop, in the microwave, or by just adding water to your bowl. However you cook it, oatmeal is a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, and protein.
Finally, a smoothie is a great way to work fruit into your breakfast. We suggest the Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie from the Chubby Vegetarian. This recipe gives you protein from Greek yogurt and peanut butter and all the nutrition of three bananas.
You can customize this meal however you see fit, including center-cut or turkey bacon for extra protein or cereal. Breakfast is a flexible meal that can kick-start your day. Even if you’re just grabbing something on the go, don’t skip this meal!
