We all lead busy lives. Many of us skip breakfast in favor of getting some extra sleep or getting to the office a few minutes early. By doing so, you actually sabotage your body in a variety of ways. Skipping breakfast can lead to a variety of problems involving your weight and health, as well as your ability to focus throughout the day. Foregoing a healthy meal at the beginning of your day also negatively affects your overall mood, which can lead to undue stress and under-performance at your job and in other aspects of life.
Knowing the following, it will be hard to deny that breakfast is an essential meal that should never be skipped. Here are some benefits you’ll receive from a good breakfast.
1. You will boost metabolism
When you’re awake, you probably rarely go 8 hours without eating. Of course, when you’re asleep, you go that entire time without eating anything at all (except spiders, according to that urban legend). During this time, your body’s metabolism slows down, only to kick back up when you awaken in the morning. You want to take advantage of this moment by eating a healthy breakfast that your body will be able to process naturally. Doing so will regulate your metabolism, and keep your body mass index steady.
2. You will stabilize your weight
Of course, with a steady BMI, your weight will also stay relatively balanced. Eating a healthy breakfast is actually a strategy to help you lose weight, as well. Because you won’t be absolutely starving come lunch time, you’ll be less likely to overeat and indulge in extra sweets and junk food. Foregoing a set breakfast will also cause you to crave snacks throughout the day. If sugary donuts are the only food available, you’ll be tempted to indulge in a less-than-healthy treat more often.
3. You will maintain a healthy diet
There are definitely some breakfast foods that aren’t exactly healthy, so if you decide to start eating breakfast on a daily basis, make sure you’re still making nutritious choices. When I think of a healthy breakfast, I think of cereal (with milk, of course), eggs, and fruit. All of these foods have a variety of healthy vitamins and minerals within them that will help keep you energized throughout the day. One word of advice: if you choose to eat a quick bowl of cereal for breakfast, skip the Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charms. You might as well eat an entire box of donuts instead.
4. You will be more alert, with improved concentration
When we were kids, our teachers always advised us to eat a healthy breakfast the day of a big test. They knew it would help us stay focused throughout the time we’d be sitting at our desks. Food is what energizes the body, so it makes sense that our brains will be more alert and functioning if we’re fueled up. As mentioned before, you probably go the longest without eating during the time you’re asleep. When you wake up, you’ll need to eat to stabilize your blood sugar. Neglecting to do so will result in lethargy and drowsiness. The vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids found in healthy breakfast foods have also been shown to improve brain functioning. Don’t skip out on a morning meal if you want to get a head start on all the work you have to do throughout your day.
5. You will increase your mood
We’ve all heard the Snickers slogan: “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” It’s true. All of the other health benefits of eating breakfast on a daily basis add up to an increase in a person’s overall well-being. Maintaining a preferred weight will certainly make it easier to go about your day. Since you’re not starving by 10:00 AM, you’ll be able to get work done quickly and efficiently. And, like those Snickers commercials insinuate, people in general are much less irritable when they have a belly full of healthy food. It might be tough at first, but start waking up ten minutes earlier, and start your day off right. Your body, and your colleagues, will appreciate it.
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