Why is Breakfast Important

The word breakfast literally means 'breaking the fast'! During the night we are sleeping, and not eating anything so after many many hours of non-eating, when we have the first meal in the morning, it is called breakfast. Breakfast is considered as one of the most important meals of the day, because it has many health benefits. Mentioned below, are 10 reasons that will help you understand the importance of breakfast...

Why is Breakfast Important to Our Health?

Some people don't have their breakfast, while many people skip their breakfast while rushing to office or school in the morning. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and one should not skip it, as not eating breakfast can affect your performance, and later on create health problems.

Reason #1: Breaking the Fast
As you didn't have anything during the night, and the body was fasting, the stomach will be happy when you have a meal in the morning. Having a nutritious breakfast will provide the body the necessary fuel for the day.

Reason #2: Glucose
Glucose is the body's energy source, glucose gets broken down in the body, and we get it from the carbs we eat. If your body doesn't get glucose from a breakfast meal for long hours, then the body compensates by releasing the stored up glucose in the muscle tissue and liver. This leads to decreased energy levels.

Reason #3: Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Breakfast provides a very significant amount of the day's total nutrient intake. If you don't have much time then with quick breakfast of eating a fortified cereal with milk and a fruit, can provide essential nutrients to your body. This will make up for a significant proportion of the daily intake of nutrients.

Reason #4: Energy for the Brain
Breakfast is important for students and working people? By eating a good breakfast you will get glucose, and our brain feeds on glucose. This will lead to better concentration, and allow you do study better or perform the important morning work.

Reason #5: Energy for the Muscles
Glucose also feeds our muscles, and hence, having a good amount of glucose in the body with a big breakfast, will lead to increased energy levels. However, this doesn't mean you load your breakfast with sugary foods. As this food will give a quick spike of glucose but then will leave you hungry again, and make you gain weight.

Reason #6: Performance
Many studies show that people who have breakfast tend to have more energy and better concentration. This helps in performing better at your office or school. Also, not having breakfast makes people irritable, restless and tired.

Reason #7: Balancing Calorie Intake
Having a nutritious breakfast in the morning can greatly help to balance your daily intake of important nutrients. Having a fruit, cereal, milk, eggs and whole wheat toast in the breakfast can help you balance carbs, protein, vitamins, minerals and glucose intake required on a daily basis.

Reason #8: Weight Loss
Many studies show that people who tend to skip breakfast are heavier than those who have a nutritious breakfast. As having breakfast in the morning can boost your metabolism and thus, help you burn food faster. Also, having a fiber rich breakfast means you will feel full for longer, and won't binge during other meals like lunch or dinner.

Reason #9: Lowered Risk of Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease
Researchers believe that eating first thing in the morning can greatly help to stabilize the blood sugar levels. These levels regulate appetite and energy. Researchers also think that having breakfast regularly, helps to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Reason #10: Better Eating Habits
Many studies show that people who have a healthy breakfast tend to follow healthy eating habits. Having breakfast can get you on track to make healthy choices all day. People who have healthy breakfast, tend to have other healthy meals also. If you skip breakfast you will be skipping fruits and vegetables the rest of the day too.

These were the 10 reasons/benefits of having a breakfast. Now, that you know why is breakfast is such an important meal, start your day with a nutritious and tasty breakfast, to maintain good health.