LAURA SHAMMAH MS, RDN
IT IS A SAYING THAT PEOPLE THROW AROUND LIGHTLY, BUT BREAKFAST MAY VERY WELL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY SKIP BREAKFAST, BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EAT IN THE MORNING, BUT EATING A HEALTHY BREAKFAST DOESN’T HAVE TO BE TIME CONSUMING AND IT CAN HELP YOU STAY FULL FOR HOURS AND BOOST YOUR CONCENTRATION.
WHY BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY
Skipping Breakfast Impedes Weight Loss
Some people skip breakfast to avoid eating too many calories with the intent to lose weight. However:
• People who eat breakfast each morning are less likely to eat more calories throughout the day. Not eating in the morning will keep you hungry and craving unhealthy foods. This can lead you to grab sugary and fatty snacks throughout the day.
• If you wait until lunch for your first meal of the day, that means that you are essentially fasting and depriving your body of food for at least 15 hours. This causes your metabolism to slow down, making it harder to lose weight.
• Eating a filling breakfast will keep you satiated and stop you from grabbing whatever is within your reach to fill you up—this includes sugar filled energy bars and convenient snack packs.
Eating Breakfast Boosts Concentration
Teachers always recommend a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast to their students before they take a big test. We should all eat like we’re going to take a test everyday. Eating breakfast helps you concentrate and keeps you focused.
The calories you eat at breakfast help fuel your brain. They also boost short-term memory. No matter what you have to accomplish, eating breakfast will keep you on track all day long.
Whether you are trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should be eating a breakfast high in fiber, protein and calcium, with limited sugar, every day.
If you’re one of the people who says you don’t eat breakfast because you don’t have enough time in the morning, that’s not a good excuse, because breakfast does not have to be time consuming—it only takes a couple of minutes to top a Greek yogurt with nuts and fruit. It’s a healthy breakfast which will keep your energy up for hours.
Laura Shammah MS, RDN has a masters degree in health and nutrition and is a registered dietitian.
She has been operating her own private practice in both New York and NJ for over 20 years. She is happily married and has four children.
