Breakfast is a very important meal of the day, as it breaks the night long fast your body has been through. It also helps to improve the body’s metabolism. Unfortunately, it is the one meal that people are most likely to miss each day because they are in a rush to get to school or work. Others miss breakfast in an effort to lose weight. But, breakfast can easily be incorporated into a busy lifestyle and it can aid in a sensible weight loss regimen.
According to a Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study of children from Philadelphia and Baltimore, there was a clear link that showed children who usually ate breakfast performed better in mathematics and they had fewer cases of hyperactivity in the classroom. The children also attended school on a more regular basis, compared to their peers who missed out on breakfast. (Pediatrics, January, 1998; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998)
The habit of missing breakfast can easily be turned around. Starting gradually will make the transition easier. A small bowl of oatmeal and a hot drink is a good start to the day. Oatmeal is quick to prepare and it is filling, providing enough nutrition for the whole morning. Toast is another option that can help a person make the transition to eat breakfast on a regular basis. As their body starts to get used to the fuel the food provides, their metabolism will improve.
Busy lifestyles do not need to get in the way of eating breakfast. Getting up earlier can make a difference. Preparing the necessary breakfast items the night before can be another way to avoid missing out on a nutritious breakfast. Pancake mixes can be prepared and left in the fridge overnight, low fat sausages can be pre-cooked and scrambled eggs can be quickly cooked in the morning. Cold and hot cereals are the quickest breakfast foods for people who do not have much time to sit down and eat in the morning.
Eating breakfast is one way that will aid sensible weight loss for people who are overweight or morbidly obese. The mistaken view is that consuming fewer calories will mean a slimmer figure. While there is some truth to this, missing breakfast is not the right time to cut down on calories in order to lose weight. The metabolism is slower in people who miss breakfast, which can actually hinder a person from losing weight, rather than help them. The National Weight Loss Registry, which has helped thousands of people to successfully lose weight and keep it off, strongly encourages people to eat breakfast, as part of their weight loss programme. Doing so helps to improve concentration and academic performance, as was demonstrated by the Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study. Sensible dieters are more likely to avoid unhealthy mid morning snacks if they have eaten a healthy breakfast, which will help them to maintain a healthy weight and keep excess weight off in the long term.
The benefits of breakfast clearly outweigh the reasons why people choose to miss such an important meal.
Resources:
Pediatrics, January, 1998
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998
http://www.mrbreakfast.com/article.asp?articleid=7
http://www.nwcr.ws
S. Spyrou Schneider - Sophie is a British expatriate currently residing in Northern California. Sophie's first passion is writing. She has been writing just ...
