Eat Breakfast
We’ve all heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But how true is that? Research says mom was right and here’s why.
Give Your Body a Break
By the time morning rolls around, you’ve probably gone 8 to 12 hours without food. It’s time to break the fast and eat that important first meal of the day. You wouldn’t skip dinner if you hadn’t eaten for eight hours, would you?
For a Good Memory, Remember Breakfast
Adults who eat breakfast performed better on short-term memory challenges like recalling a word. Pretty important when your boss asks you to remember something in the morning meeting!
The Domino Effect?
People who skip breakfast are less likely to drink a nutritious juice or dairy drink during the day, and more likely to smoke and drink more alcohol. Plus breakfast skippers tend to exercise less than breakfast eaters. Maybe one good habit leads to another.
Eat More. Weigh Less!
Although breakfast eaters eat more food throughout the day, they actually take in 5 percent fewer calories than those who skip breakfast. This could be because they choose foods that keep their sugar stable throughout the day. The risk of obesity actually increases four times if you skip breakfast on a regular basis.
Whittle your Waist
A study done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adults who skipped breakfast during their childhood and kept up the no-breakfast habit in adulthood had an average waist size that was nearly 2 inches larger than adults who had eaten breakfast their whole lives. Don’t worry though, it’s never too late to start eating right!
Whole-Grain Cereal for Long Life?
Studies have shown that men who eat whole-grain cereals for breakfast have a 20 percent lower risk of early death from cardiovascular disease than those who don’t eat whole-grain cereals. Look for cereals with at least 3 grams of fiber (5 grams is better) and less than 5 grams of sugar.
Beware of the Sugar Bomb
Donuts and pastries might pose as breakfast foods, but they are really more like sugar bombs. Skipping protein and overloading on sugar is a sure way to get snack cravings before noon and increase your daily calorie count.
Shop Smart
Get a 4-point plan for healthy shopping: Shop Smart.
NEXT: Pick Four to Power Your Breakfast and start improving your health and appearance today.
Want to make more positive health changes? See Change 1 Thing.
