Nicole Leote- Contributing Writer
Breakfast is special enough to earn the title of most important meal of the day. It is too bad that breakfast is also the most frequently skipped meal, causing problems many people may not realize. Skipping breakfast at a vital age like adolescence may lead to health complications such as obesity. Many people do not realize the significance of eating a healthy meal in the morning. The importance of breakfast is seen through many different studies, all illustrating how it correlates to a reduced risk of obesity, better overall health and better academic performance in kids and adolescents.
There are many choices when it comes to breakfast foods and you don’t have to restrict yourself to typical morning meals. Unfortunately, some of these choices are not healthy. The best options include cereal, peanut butter, eggs, oatmeal, and yogurt. Cereals high in sugar are not great choices, but brands like Special K, Fiber One, and Cheerios are all good options. Whole wheat bread is better than white bread and low fat milk is better than whole milk. Adding a fruit or vegetable to any breakfast can be easy and very nutritious. If you like to eat omelettes in the morning, why not add peppers or tomatoes to increase your vegetable intake? If you are always in a rush in the morning, try setting your alarm five minutes earlier so you can grab a peanut butter and banana sandwich for the walk or drive.
Another way to save time could be making a batch of hard-boiled eggs on a Sunday and having them for the next few days already cooked in the fridge, ready to go.
Breakfast doesn’t have to be a huge meal if you don’t have the biggest appetite in the morning. A small bag of nuts and a piece of fruit will get your day started just as well. If you like to have a drink in the morning you can whip up a smoothie with yogurt, fruit and milk.
Consuming a healthy breakfast in the morning sets the stage for the rest of the day, especially when kids are spending their days at school. School attendance is higher in kids who eat breakfast compared to those who do not. These kids are also more alert, content, and achieve higher grades. Think about sitting in your morning class, knowing you have another class to go to and your stomach starts to growl. Not only is it embarrassing to have noises coming from your stomach, but now that’s all you can think about. Paying attention in class is hard when you are running on an empty stomach.
Skipping a meal puts the body in a state of starvation, especially after sleeping seven hours or more, and your body starts to hold onto stored fat in order to give you energy and keep you going until the next meal. Skipping breakfast can also lead to unhealthy snacking and overeating at lunch and dinner. Be smart and grab a healthy breakfast to start the day!
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