Why is Breakfast Important

I am sure most of us would have heard of the adage, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," but I wonder how many of us really take that adage seriously and have a hearty breakfast? I doubt many of us do? I certainly have been guilty of neglecting my breakfast on many an occasion. I've certainly known of friends who are regular in skipping their breakfasts - reasons include not having the time to not liking breakfast foods among others. Another common refrain of breakfast avoiders is that they are doing it to lose weight. Well, I've reformed of late and am a regular breakfast-eater now. I changed my breakfast habits for good after having a doctor counsel me about the importance of breakfast and why it shouldn't be skipped at any cost. Here are some reasons why you should have your breakfast and do so regularly.

WHY YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST

The first and most important reason you should have breakfast is because your body really needs it. I mean you've basically been starving, for what, 10 hours - since your dinner, right? Surely, your body needs fuel to re-energize and prepare for the long (and usually tiring) day ahead. Our brains are particularly hard-done by our skipping our breakfasts. The brain needs glucose, its main fuel, and that comes from food. So, no breakfast = lack of concentration, lethargy, tiredness, etc. A good reason why you need to recharge your body with the most important fuel of the day to give you a headstart and keep you going.

Did you know research has shown a connection between skipping breakfast and being overweight? Well, I didn't know this either until my doctor mentioned this to me. Found it hard to believe, but apparently people who skip breakfast are more prone to being overweight/obese than those who have their breakfasts regularly. Am sure this fact would get a few people into taking their breakfast seriously.

For your kids especially, having a good breakfast is important. Kids who eat their breakfast regularly have been shown to perform better at school, have been seen to be more active (no surprise here) and have been seen to have less absenteeism from school.

Breakfast foods also contribute to a higher intake of essential nutrients/vitamins that your body needs. Some of them are vitamin C, thiamin, iron, calcium, etc.

Well, most people complain that they just don't have time for breakfast. Honestly, I don't think that argument holds water. For one, you can plan and schedule a time for breakfast, just as you plan a hundred other things during the day. Surely, you neglect the time for breakfast because you consider it less important than your other chores - not that breakfast should be a chore, but most people view it as such. There is always time, provided you find time. But besides that, you can cut down on your breakfast time too by a little organizing/planning. For example, you can:

1. Spend time the previous day preparing some easy-to-carry foods in case you prefer to eat while you commute.

2. Make do with instant oatmeal.

3. Make do with eggs that are hard-boiled – easy and quick!

4. Make do with whole wheat bread or some English muffins.

5. How about some cereal or granola bars?

6. Make do with fresh fruits or dry fruits.

If you are not hungry in the morning when you leave your house, you can skip eating then, but carry along some foods you can eat later on mid-morning - you can bet you'd be hungry then!!

A lot of folks I know don't eat their breakfast in the mistaken belief that they would lose weight by avoiding breakfast. Well, only if that worked!! Most studies show that skipping breakfast only ensures that you overeat later on during the day and hence its a pointless exercise. Also, studies have shown that people who have their breakfast are more successful in losing weight than those who don't. Do remember though that you need to make healthy choices in the types of breakfast foods you eat - so avoid the fatty foods like doughnuts, foods with excess cheese, bacon, etc.

So eat your breakfast and make it a regular part of your life. It might not seem like much, but could do you a world of good! Breakfast, truly, is the most important meal of the day!!

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