Make a Healthy Start
The Benefits of Breakfast Last All Day
Written by Mary Ann Cockram, MS, RD
Your metabolism is like a fire in a fireplace; it needs fuel to keep it
going. When you don't eat breakfast, you may feel the need to overeat to get
the fire going again. As you consider the importance of breakfast, here are
some healthy ways to start off your day.
Why is Breakfast Important?
When you sleep, you are essentially fasting for six to eight hours. If you
don’t break that fast with a morning meal, your body will be low on energy. As
your body’s metabolism continues to drop, you may get the urge to snack heavily
or overeat at your next meal. Several studies have shown that people who skip
breakfast have a higher body mass index (a weight to height ratio used to
assess health) than those who eat breakfast.
How Does Breakfast Impact Health?
Eating a nutritious breakfast low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high
in fiber may help you:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Improve heart health
- Manage your diabetes
- Feel full longer
- Stay alert and focused
What Makes A Healthy Breakfast?
To improve your daily diet, build a breakfast from a variety of food groups,
such as whole grain breads, high fiber, low-fat cereals, fruit, and low-fat
dairy products. When you don’t have time for a full breakfast, find a simple
alternative that provides complete nutrition such as ready-to-eat cereals or
oatmeal. Or try making a quick and easy beverage using Ensure products, such as
Banana Blusher, Berrynana, or Fuzzy Navel.
Remember, daily nutrition begins with breakfast and you owe it to yourself
to make time for it.