Posted on 13th October 20193rd August 2021 by Josh

Is Breakfast The Most Important Meal Of The Day?

Breakfast. The meal of the day where we break the fast of not eating for a number of hours while we sleep. However, we are told from a young age that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but is it?

First and foremost…and we probably don’t need to explain this, is that breakfast is the first meal of the day. While we sleep our body’s will happily chug through calories to help us recover both physically and mentally. It seems logical then, that after 5-8 hours asleep we need to top up our food supply.

Nutritionists advise that we should consume breakfast within two hours of waking up. One other thing we need to consider is that they also recommend that we get 20-35% of our daily calories at our first sitting of the day.

It is not just about providing our bodies with much-needed energy. When we eat the right breakfast, we are giving our bodies the right nutrients and vitamins, including protein and fibre. These are things that the body needs because they are essential to us. To add to this, research has also found that if they are missed at breakfast, then it is not likely that people will compensate for missing out on them during the day.

We should also aim to add fruit and vegetables to our breakfast routine, all of which can be done by consuming fruit as it is or by creating breakfast smoothies where you can incorporate a blend of fruit and vegetables.

What’s more, breakfast can also be a good way of keeping the weight off. Those people who consume a daily breakfast are less likely to be overweight and more likely to fall within their ideal weight range when compared to those who choose to miss out on breakfast. Adding a little bit of protein, maybe in the form of yoghurt, vegan protein powder or having a protein bar for brunch after a small breakfast is an excellent way to help you stay full for longer.

The reality is that if you miss breakfast, you are going to be craving a sugar hit and that increases the risk of reaching for unhealthy, sugar-laden, fatty snacks during the morning.

Breakfast Can Improve Cognitive Function

Breakfast can also help to restore glucose levels, which is a carbohydrate that is essential to helping the brain to function. Studies have found that breakfast can enhance concentration and memory and it can also enhance our mood. In fact, when children have breakfast, it can improve their behaviour and that can lead to better performance in school. The brain is just like any other organ in the body and that means that it needs the right fuel to work at its absolute best.

A Much-Needed Energy Boost

We all lead different lifestyles and some are more active than others while men need more than women. Children, in particular, have specific needs when it comes to energy as it can help them to grow and function. Whether it is men, women or children, breakfast can contribute to meeting the energy needs of all, which is especially important at the start of a new day.

Health Over the Long Term

Eating breakfast can contribute to reduced obesity, lower blood pressure while also helping to stave off heart disease and diabetes. Breakfast is a habit that we all need to get into because of the long term health benefits. Therefore, it should be seen as an important part of the day and one that we should make time for. 

Skipping breakfast can cause a range of issues and that is the best reason to make sure you enjoy it each day. So, breakfast is important because your body needs it, so give it exactly what it wants and needs.