Why is breakfast important?

Do you love your plate of eggs and toast in the morning? Or are you the kind of person who skips breakfast? Aussies are quite bad at eating breakfast regularly and so we thought today we should talk about the big question: Why is breakfast important?

Why is breakfast the most important meal?

Breakfast not only breaks the overnight fasting period it also provides an incredible amount of benefits for your health and well-being.

When you ask “Why is breakfast important?”, think of it like this: When you wake up in the morning, your stomach has been empty for a few hours. It is like running a car engine on an empty tank. When you eat a good breakfast, you refuel your tank, giving your body new energy and nutrients to work with.

From boosting energy levels to augmenting your cognition, breakfast offers you some big health benefits every day. Over time, regular practice can affect weight management, immunity, and illness.

Why do people skip breakfast?

If you know why breakfast is important but still end up skipping it, you’re part of a large group of Aussies. We’re most likely to skip it for the following reasons:

• To lose weight
• Cultural reasons
• Lack of planning
• Not feeling hungry in the morning because of eating late or heavy dinners
• Boredom with breakfast foods
• Low energy levels because of poor sleep
• Lack of time to prepare food

Almost all of these reasons can be managed by planning and time management. If you do end up missing breakfast, make sure to not snack on junk food and try to make up by eating a healthy lunch and dinner.

Why is breakfast important for immunity?

Consistent breakfast eaters tend to display higher immunity and lower incidence of several diseases and illnesses. When your body is starved in the morning, you are likely to experience blood sugar fluctuations, deficiencies in certain vitamins or nutrients, and low energy. You’re also more likely to eat more junk food as the day progresses. If you’re wondering why is breakfast the most important meal, you should consider the long-term side effects.

Those who eat breakfast tend to have a lower risk of:

• Obesity
• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol

I don’t like eating in the morning – What should I do?

Even if you know that breakfast is important, you may not be able to bear the thought of food in the morning. While this is quite common, it is not considered healthy.

If you’re sleeping regular hours, your stomach has been empty for a long time when you wake up, so you should have a good appetite. If you don’t like the thought of eating when you wake up, it may be because of one of these reasons:

• You’re eating too late at night and your food hasn’t been fully digested yet. Try eating dinner earlier in the evening and keep it light. Greasy or fatty meals can stick in your system and get in the way of your appetite.
• You’re bored by your breakfast options. If you don’t like granola or oatmeal, you might like to fry a quick egg or make some peanut butter and toast. All these breakfast options are quick and have some nutritious value. It takes a little time to plan a few options that you enjoy eating, but once you have a list, you’ll be able to stock up and start eating right.
• Your morning tea or coffee is filling you up. Try eating something before you sip your coffee or tea.
• If you cannot face food early in the morning, try eating a mid-morning snack once you get to work. This should power you up for the day and offer the same benefits as breakfast.

Why is breakfast important for active people?

Breakfast is essential if you are an early-morning exerciser, especially if you go through a high-intensity exercise regimen.

If you work out or go for a run, you’ll know why breakfast is so important for your training and performance. It also offers these benefits:

• It replenishes the glucose levels that were exhausted during your long fast during sleep so that your body has enough to power your workout.
• It supports muscle growth and repair and can be planned to complement your weight management goals.
• Eating breakfast helps to manage appetite throughout the day so you are less likely to choose unhealthy snacks.

You’ll be healthier

Most healthy breakfast foods tend to be rich in several key nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Some are also fortified with iron or vitamins so it is easier for you to meet your recommended daily nutrient intake.

Why is breakfast important for your nutrition? When your body receives the right fuel at the right time, it functions the way it should without depleting your stores of nutrients.

Read our beginners’ guide to healthy eating.

You’ll be more alert

On days when you don’t eat breakfast, your body doesn’t receive enough glucose to function properly. This can make you feel sluggish and low on energy, but it also has an impact on your brain. Your ability to focus, connect with other people, remember information, and perform tasks is affected when you have not eaten for a few hours.

Why is breakfast important for your mental health? It gives your brain the nutrients it needs to process efficiently.

You’ll feel more energetic

Most of the energy in your body is stored as fat but the primary source of fuel for your body is glucose. When you fast, such as during sleep, the liver keeps energy levels stable by slowly releasing glucose throughout the night. Your energy reserves are almost emptied after a night of sleep.

Why is breakfast important for your energy levels? You’ll be replenishing these glucose levels and giving your body new stores of energy.

Manage weight by eating at the right time

Research has shown that those who eat a healthy meal in the morning tend to be leaner and are less likely to be overweight. How does eating breakfast help you reach your weight goals?

• Breakfast stabilizes blood glucose levels which helps to regulate appetite
• Encourages you to maintain better eating habits and a healthier diets
• Replenishes depleted energy levels so you’re not looking for quick energy boosts through carbs during the day

If you would like to consult a nutritionist online about the best meal plan for you, Avaana can help.