What’s your view on breakfast? Are you a breakfast lover, a breakfast skipper, or a grab-and-go as you’re running out the door breakfast rusher? If you’re not a regular breakfast eater, you may want to give it a try. Numerous studies have shown the positive effects of regularly having a healthy breakfast.
1. You’ll lose excess weight.
According to the Mayo Clinic Website, research suggests that consistently eating healthy breakfast may help with losing weight and maintaining weight loss. One possible reason for this is when you eat breakfast, you feel less hungry later in the day, and are therefore less likely to grab a junky snack.
2. You’ll be inspired to make healthy choices all day.
By eating a healthy breakfast, you’re setting yourself up to feel good choices throughout the day. I’ve found this to be true for me. When I start my days off with a healthy, nutrient-dense breakfast, I feel inspired to continue making good choices for the rest of the day. When I rush through my morning routine and skip breakfast or make unhealthy choices in the morning, I’m much more likely to let good habits slide later in the day.
If you’re crunched for time, here are some ideas for breakfasts during busy mornings. Another helpful article, found here, has recommendations for healthy breakfasts for busy families.
3. You’ll get important vitamins and minerals.
Skipping breakfast means a missed opportunity to consume your daily requirement for important vitamins and minerals. Breakfast doesn’t need to be fancy or time-consuming. Often a simple, quick, healthy breakfast will provide you with the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function ideally.
4. You’ll have more energy.
Eating a nutritious breakfast fuels your body. The Harvard Health Publications describe that different foods are converted to energy at different rates by our bodies. While some foods cause a quick boost of energy, other foods provide longer lasting reserves you’ll need throughout your day. For helpful advice on choosing healthy foods that will help you feel your best, you can search for a Registered Dietician online at the website for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
5. You’ll possibly decrease your risk of having a heart attack.
A 2013 Harvard study found that men who regularly skip breakfast had a 27% higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than men who ate breakfast. Men who didn’t eat breakfast were typically hungrier later in the day and ate more food at night, which could be associated with several risk factors for these ailments.
6. You’ll have better problem-solving skills.
According to this article, the American Dietetic Association claims kids who are breakfast eaters have better concentration, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination. These are good reasons to make healthy breakfasts a priority for the entire family.
7. You’ll start your day with a better mindset.
Sitting down and savoring a healthy breakfast can help start your day with a refreshed, calm, collected mindset. Enjoying a healthy breakfast as part of your morning routine can set an excellent tone for the rest of your day. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast has the potential to improve your mood. If you’ve ever felt “hangry” – the hungry/angry combination, you know what I mean. Eating breakfast can decrease your “hangriness.” When you’re not focusing on feeling hungry, your mood is likely to improve.
As with any lifestyle change, developing the habit of consistently eating healthy breakfasts takes time. You will need to do some experimenting to figure out what works best for your family. Trying new recipes to increase your interest in breakfast, planning your breakfasts ahead of time, and stocking your kitchen with healthy choices can help make breakfast time a success.
What is your favorite healthy breakfast?
Featured photo credit: Oatmeal, Part 2/Rachel Hathaway via flickr.com
