It’s not called the most important meal of the day for no reason

It can be tempting to skip breakfast in exchange for a few extra minutes in bed (we understand, beds get ridiculously comfy in the early hours of the morning) but a healthy, nutritious breakfast is one of the essentials for a healthy day. And here are a few reasons why.

 

It will stop you from eating everything in sight later on

Want to lose weight and avoid overeating? Then don’t miss the first meal of the day. “Skipping breakfast can lead to you bingeing later on,” says nutritionist Teresa Boyce. “This is mostly due to excessively low blood sugars. It’s vital to maintain steady blood sugars for portion control and weight loss.” Think of your blood sugar levels as the golden key that regulates your appetite. The lower your blood sugars, the hungrier you get later on and the weaker your resistance to that piece of chocolate cake in the fridge. 

 

It gives you energy for the rest of the day

Breakfast is fuel for the body. Starting your day by eating a healthy meal is like giving your body some Premium Unleaded to speed through the day. Boyce says eating the right kind of breakfast is crucial. “Ensure your breakfast includes quality ingredients such as fibre, protein and fat. These nutrients are key for sustained energy.” 

 

It will improve your concentration levels

If your concentration tends to dip throughout the day to being marginally better than a three year old post-red cordial, blame the fact you missed breakfast. Researchers have found that eating breakfast leads to better cognitive performance throughout the day, which means you’re better able to concentrate.

 

It will help kick start your metabolism

Your body goes into starvation mode when it hasn’t eaten for over 12 hours. This means it will cling on to fat stores for dear life (you don’t want that). In order to produce the enzymes needed to metabolise fat you need to make sure you “break the fast” ie eat breakfast. 

 

It helps to keep you in a healthy BMI range

Studies have shown there is a link between breakfast consumption and a lower incidence of people being overweight and obese. Further research has also found that women who eat breakfast tend to consume less calories throughout the day. Winning!

 

It makes you feel good inside and out

For optimum health we have to ensure we meet our daily nutrient requirements.  “If you skip breakfast it makes it difficult to ensure you are eating the right balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat later in other meals in the day,” says Boyce. If you make sure you are getting all the necessary nutrients first thing, you set yourself up to do the same for the rest of the day.

 

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/