Essential Benefits of Eating Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal, setting the stage for metabolic function, getting the intestinal tract in motion and giving the body the energy needed to work. Too many carbohydrates are not good, because the body stores extra carbs as fat. Too much fat is not good either. Breakfast does not have to be traditional. Burritos are a great choice. They have grain, protein and cheese. Add an apple or 4 ounces of juice, and you're good to go.

Breakfast has been called the most important meal of the day, and with good reason. While every meal counts toward good nutrition, the facts are on the table: Eating in the morning has positive effects on health and on kids' ability to learn.

A healthy breakfast gives you the ability for better concentration and productivity throughout the morning

A healthy breakfast can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

A healthy breakfast should be a variety of foods like whole grains, low-fat protein or dairy sources, and fruit. All these food groups provide complex carbohydrates, protein and a small amount of at. This is a winning combination to delay hunger symptoms for longer periods of time.

Most -- 78% -- reported eating breakfast every day, and almost 90% reported eating breakfast at least five days a week - which suggests that starting the day with breakfast is an important strategy to lose weight and keep it off," says James O. Hill, PhD, the Registry's co-founder and director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

The healthiest breakfasts are a combination of food groups. For example, whole grains high in fiber, lean protein or low-fat dairy, and fruit. This combination provides complex carbohydrates, protein, and minimal fat -- a combination that delays hunger symptoms for hours and can result in less caloric intake by the end of the day.

Without the morning meal, kids are hard-pressed to meet daily nutrient needs, too. A simple, easy-to-fix meal of fortified cereal with eight ounces of milk and six ounces of orange juice provides substantial amounts of a variety of nutrients, particularly B vitamins, vitamins C and D, calcium, folic acid, and iron if the cereal is fortified with it.

The researchers believe that eating first thing in the morning may help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which regulate appetite and energy.

Eating healthy breakfast has been proven to improve concentration, problem solving ability, mental performance, memory, and mood. Breakfast skippers usually fail to fit important nutrients into their diet. Many foods eaten at breakfast contain significant amounts of vitamins C and D, calcium, iron, and fiber. Eating something for breakfast is better than eating nothing at all.
According to many sports nutritionist, it is advisable to choose wholesome cereals that are iron-enriched, not loaded with sugar, and have high-fiber bran content. Cereal (whole wheat bread) is not only a traditional way to go at breakfast but also may be one of the quickest and versatile meals for the morning time rush. The best option for breakfast foods is milk and cereal, as this is a perfect way to combine protein and carbohydrates.

Breakfast can provide essential vitamins and minerals (from fortified cereals), which people may find difficult to get elsewhere, if they regularly skip this meal.

Our hunger will be well regulated and therefore, less total calories should be consumed during the day, from snacking on unhealthy foods.