13/02/2014
Benefit of eating breakfast
The word `breakfast' literally means to break your fast, after a necessary gap of 10 -12 hours without a sizable meal. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it give you energy to start a new day, but breakfast is linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance.
When a good breakfast is eaten, it boosts the metabolism. If a person goes too long without eating, the body will think that they are not being fed, which will in turn decrease the metabolism. Be sure to include protein and fresh foods with your breakfast, because the protein also will boost the metabolism.
Skipping breakfast may cause you to feel sluggish and tired and you may have a hard time getting enough energy to make it through the day. Eating a well balanced breakfast in the morning will provide your body the fuel that it needs to convert to energy
Remember that breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day, so planning a healthy breakfast may help you to avoid eating unhealthy treats later on. If you fill your stomach with healthy foods, you will be less likely to have unhealthy cravings.
Children who skip breakfast may lack sufficient fibre, vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B2.
Reasons for skipping breakfast include lack of time, lack of motivation and lack of available breakfast foods
Better Memory
Studies have shown that children have better performance in school when they start out the day with a healthy breakfast. Eating breakfast provides fuel for the brain, which can help to improve memory and brain functioning.
Starting the Day in the Right Frame of Mind
Taking a quiet moment to sit down and enjoy your breakfast can be a good way to get you in the right frame of mind for the day. Our busy lifestyles have caused many people to forget about the importance of meal times, and breakfast is the best time to take a moment to reflect and plan the rest of your day.
Eating breakfast every morning can help lower LDL cholesterol, also known as the "bad" cholesterol. When you skip breakfast, you are creating a chain reaction within your body:
• First, you slow down your metabolism.
• Second, fat is stored longer in your body.
• Third, you have a higher tendency to overeat at your next meal.
• Fourth, you gain weight and your LDL cholesterol goes up.
People who skip breakfast tend to nibble on snacks during the mid-morning or afternoon. This can be a problem if those snacks are low in fibre, vitamins and minerals, but high in fat and salt. Without the extra energy that breakfast can offer, some breakfast skippers feel lethargic and turn to high-energy food and drinks to get them through the day.
If you do skip breakfast, try a nutritious snack such as fresh fruit, yoghurt, a low-fat muffin or a wholemeal sandwich to help you through that mid-morning hunger.
