Why Breakfast Truly Is the Most Important Meal of the Day
Your mother has been telling it your whole life: your breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet, ironically, it always seems to be the hardest meal to eat. Whether you’re a late riser or you just don’t have time to grab something to eat as you rush out the door, it can be very easy to ignore breakfast. Don’t be fooled, though – while scientists still debate whether breakfast truly is the “most important,” it’s one meal you don’t want to skip, for many reasons.
Get a Jump Start to Your Morning
Breakfast’s main purpose can be found in its name itself: break fast. It’s the first meal of the day, meaning it’s the one that breaks your body’s nighttime fast, putting it back on track in preparation for the day. What better time to load up on the essential nutrients and vitamins than at the start of the day? Start every morning with your best foot forward.
There’s another added benefit to eating breakfast before heading out for your day’s work: having a full stomach early on means that you’ll be less likely to snack until lunch time. If you focus on eating a healthy breakfast, you won’t need to rely on less healthy snacks to tide you over until your lunch break. Beginning your day with a solid breakfast will prevent cravings (and hunger-related distractions) later on.
A Chance to Start the Day Off Right
Perhaps just as important as getting something in your stomach early is making that something healthy for you. While it may be tempting to stop at the drive thru to grab a sausage and egg sandwich on your way to work, it’s healthier and cheaper to focus on fixing your own breakfast, which is something your body will thank you for throughout the day.
Even still, while it’s easy to pour some milk over a bowl of cereal, take a quick look at the nutritional facts: is it really all that good for you? Even granola, which is often seen as a “health food,” is packed full of carbs and sugar. Instead, focus on eating foods that are high in protein. They may not provide the same immediate satisfaction as carby breads and cereals, but they’ll give you a longer-lasting fullness.
Give Yourself Time to Wake Up
One aspect of regularly eating a quality breakfast doesn’t get as much recognition. Breakfast isn’t just a time for you to fuel up and prepare your body for the tasks of the day; it’s also a great time to wake up and prepare mentally. While this might sound like the last thing you want to do in the morning, setting some time aside first thing can give you a gentler start to your day.
Don’t think that the time you’ll be setting aside each day will be going to waste. Giving yourself even half an hour in the morning can also give you time to figure out a strategy for the day, get caught up on the news, or spend quality time with your family before you all head off for the day’s activities.
If you’re not a “breakfast person,” now might be the time to try it out. It doesn’t take as much work as you think it does, and the effects can make your morning–and the rest of your day–better as a result. While it may take some time to get used to your new habit, you may just find that it becomes your favorite meal of the day!