Why You Should Eat Breakfast Every Day

Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day for good reason; however, many people disregard it as optional and insignificant. In actual fact, it’s been scientifically proven that a healthy breakfast can boost your overall well-being, improve concentration and reduce the risk of heart-related diseases. This guide to the benefits of eating breakfast every day will show you just why skipping this crucial meal is detrimental to your long-term health, and why you should never take it for granted.

Kickstarts the Metabolism

Did you know that eating breakfast daily actually aids weight loss? So, if you’re trying to shed the pounds by skipping breakfast, a quick protein bar on the way to work is far better than eating nothing at all. By missing out on your first meal of the day, you are actually sending your body signals that you are fasting, (the clue is in the words “break” “fast”). This means that your body will start working to preserve rather than burn calories. When you eat breakfast, however, you are sending your body a message that you will be burning plenty of calories throughout the day, which in turn, spurs your metabolism.

Boosts Brain Power and Performance

Wondering why you feel so sluggish in the mornings? It might be because you’re skipping that crucial first meal. Eating in the morning fuels your body for the start of the day, which in turn boosts your blood sugar levels, creativity, and short-term memory. Studies have shown that children who skip the first meal of the day are more likely to receive lower GCSE grades, so if you’re looking to boost your performance at work or in your studies, take 10 minutes in the morning to sit down and enjoy a healthy, protein-packed brekkie.

Brain-boosting breakfasts include:

• Scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast
• Fruit smoothie
• Granola bar/ protein bar
• Banana and cinnamon porridge
• Muesli cereal

Balances Blood Sugar Levels

Another crucial reason to incorporate breakfast into your daily morning routine is to maintain your blood sugar at a healthy level. According to The Journal of Nutrition’s study of 96,175 people, skipping breakfast increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. if you do suffer from type 2 diabetes, then a nutritious plate in the morning is crucial to keeping those all-day sugar spikes at bay. Eating a healthy lunch and dinner alone just won’t cut it if you’re looking to reduce high amounts of glucose.

Improves Heart Health

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that by skipping breakfast, you are increasing the risk of heart-related diseases, and have an 87% higher risk of cardiovascular death. Another study by the same college found that people who always skip breakfast and have late dinners are more at risk of a heart attack than those who eat breakfast every day. So, in order to achieve optimal heart health, make sure that your breakfast is high in fibre and packed with whole grains!

Lifts Your Mood

Food has a direct impact on the way we feel; the word “hangry” wasn’t invented for no reason! And when we skip our first meal of the day, it makes us groggy and unproductive. Making the time to eat a healthy, nutritious breakfast every morning is the key to starting your day off right. Sugary cereals and syrupy pancakes may spike your energy levels briefly, but it’s all about the protein when it comes to making you feel great inside and out. Not only does protein instantly boost your levels of dopamine, the “feel-good hormone”, but it also increases your alertness.

Breakfast is the key to starting your day off right and kicking your brain into gear. There’s really no good excuse for skipping it. So, if you’re running late to work, grab a health bar before you leave the house, or have some fruit from the office kitchen. If your goal is to lose weight, high in protein and low in fat is the way to go. Your first meal of the day is essential to a balanced lifestyle; so always make time for it whatever your schedule and your body and mind will reward you for it.