The literal meaning of the word "breakfast," is to break the fast between dinner and the meal eaten after a person wakes up the next morning. If you think about the amount of time spanning between dinner and breakfast, the meaning of the word is very fitting. For most people, it can be up to 12 hours since their last meal, and yet they are quick to skip it as they rush out the door.
Here are benefits of eating breakfast and why it should be considered the most important meal of the day.
· Kick-start your brain with breakfast
Eating breakfast provides energy for the brain and it has been shown to improve alertness which is important for learning. Additionally, breakfast restores the body’s glucose levels the brain’s energy source.
· Think smarter and run further with breakfast
Children who eat breakfast have better concentration and memory performance than those who don’t. After fasting overnight, eating a good breakfast ensures that our bodies are fueled and ready for physical activity.
· Power through your day with breakfast
Eating a nutritious breakfast gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to get through the morning. We know that those who skip breakfast often don’t make up for the missed nutrients later on in the day.
· Get your body pumping with breakfast
A good breakfast can provide protein (for building and maintaining muscle), carbohydrates (for energy), fiber (for healthy digestive function), calcium (for building strong bones), iron (for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport around the body), plus additional vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are essential for healthy growth and development.
· Keep your weight healthy with breakfast
When you miss breakfast, your body's general functioning (metabolism) slows down and remains low for the rest of the day, making it harder for your body to use up the energy from the foods you eat later, and possibly leading to weight gain over time. Also, without breakfast,we tend to feel very hungry mid morning and may be more likely to fill up on snack foods that are convenient but don',t have a good nutrient balance.