You’ve heard the old saying: “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
You’ve probably also heard that one of the benefits of eating breakfast is weight loss.
But if you skip breakfast, you’re not alone. In fact, over 30 million Americans skip breakfast each day.
Does eating breakfast really help you lose weight? Or is this just a myth? Check out these six benefits to eating breakfast find out why all breakfasts aren’t created equal.
1. Eat Less During the Day
When you eat breakfast, you typically eat less during the day. Eating breakfast may keep you from hitting up the vending machine for a bag of chips before lunch, for example. Breakfast eaters typically have a decreased appetite and therefore eat less throughout the day.
When you eat a high-fiber, nutrient dense meal at the beginning of the day, you stay full longer. You’re setting yourself up for a healthier, more successful day. If one of your goals is to lose weight and be healthier, eating a nutritious breakfast is the best way to set yourself up for success.
When you choose to skip breakfast, you’re more likely to reach for higher calorie foods throughout the day. You may try to overcompensate at lunch because you’re hungrier and make less than ideal choices. Eating breakfast can keep you on track for choosing healthy foods all day long.
2. Aid in Type II Diabetes Prevention
Research suggests that individuals who eat a healthy breakfast lower their chances of Type II Diabetes. Skipping breakfast can cause insulin resistance. When you’re overweight, your body has a more difficult time using insulin to control blood sugar levels.
When you regularly eat a healthy and balanced breakfast, your body is more likely to use insulin properly. This, in turn, can decrease your chances of getting Type II Diabetes. Having a proper breakfast should help decrease higher blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.
3. Increase in Energy
If you’re not eating breakfast and find yourself exhausted, maybe you should grab some oatmeal and fruit. One of the amazing benefits of eating breakfast is increased energy. Who wouldn’t want a little more pep in their step?
Your mind and body need fuel to work properly. A healthy breakfast jumpstarts your energy and helps fuel your body. When you have more energy, you’re more likely to be active and get some type of movement that day.
You’re also more likely to make healthier food choices throughout the day when you have more energy. That means saying no to vending machine junk food and yes to meal prepped lunches or healthier restaurant options.
4. Boost Your Metabolism
Eating breakfast leads to boosts in metabolism. Metabolism is the process of converting the food we eat into energy. Our bodies need the energy to do all the things from proper brain function to physical movement.
In the mornings, our metabolism has slowed down as a result of sleep. When we eat metabolism boosting foods for breakfast, we jumpstart our metabolism and increase our bodies’ abilities to burn calories. When you burn calories, you lose weight.
Many people think that skipping meals will lead to weight loss, but the fact is when you skip meals, your metabolism slows down. Eating nutrient-dense foods throughout the day keeps your metabolism working.
5. Eating Breakfast Leads to Appetite Control
Do you constantly feel hungry? Eating breakfast can help control your appetite by decreasing cravings throughout the day. When you add fiber-rich foods to your plate at breakfast, you’re more likely to stay full longer.
Eating a healthy breakfast can reduce both cravings and hunger. This can prevent overeating throughout the day.
6. Lower Your Risk of Obesity and Other Health Issues
Skipping breakfast can lead to increased risks of obesity and other health problems. We already know that eating breakfast can lower your risks of overeating which in turn lowers your risk of obesity. Obesity leads to a plethora of other health-related issues.
Eating breakfast can actually lower your risk of other health issues. Eating a well-balanced breakfast every day lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease. When you’re healthier, you’re able to do more calorie burning activities.
Are All Breakfasts Created Equal?
When you hear that breakfast is important, you should understand that all breakfasts are not created equal. A tall stack of pancakes smothered in butter and syrup isn’t exactly a balanced meal. A few key components of a healthy breakfast include:
- Whole grains
- Complex carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables
- Lean protein
- Low-fat dairy
These breakfast elements make a balanced meal full of fiber and great full for your mind and body.
You should avoid processed foods as much as possible. Foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats offer little to no nutritional value. Instead of grabbing cereal boxes and pastries, consider oatmeal, zucchini bowls, and eggs. You should always add a fruit or vegetable with breakfast for added fiber to keep you full longer.
Reap the Benefits of Eating Breakfast
Whether you’re looking to lose weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, eating breakfast is a healthy way to start the day. Increasing energy and aiding in disease prevention should be reason enough to fix delicious and healthy breakfasts.
Are you tired of trying fad diets and still not losing weight? Consider the ChiroThin weight loss program. Let us help you find a ChiroThin doctor near you.