4 Reasons Why You Should Make Time For Breakfast
Feb 07, 2019
Someone once told me they believed eating breakfast was just a scam that marketing agencies made up to make more money. As a dietitian who LOVES all things breakfast-related, I tried so hard not to laugh right in their face. We grew up hearing “breakfast is the most important meal of the day!” Here are a few reasons why it really IS so important:
1. Breakfast fuels you through the rest of the day.
Since breakfast is the first (and earliest, for all you non-morning people!) meal of the day, it’s easy to make excuses as to why you don’t have time for it. One saying that has always stuck with me is, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This applies to breakfast: it takes minimal effort to make on-the-go breakfasts ahead of time! If you spend just 5-10 minutes on a Sunday night prepping breakfast for the week, all you have to do is grab it and go – easy to fit into a busy schedule! Eating breakfast helps get you through the morning and to lunch, and it is better for your overall health to eat the majority of your calories during the first half of the day.
2. A balanced breakfast improves your concentration and athletic performance throughout the day.
After a night of fasting, it is so important to fuel your morning workout. That means getting some source of simple carbohydrates and protein that your body can easily absorb. This could be from a banana and peanut butter, a clementine and string cheese, a small handful of granola, or a granola bar.
3. People who start their day off with a healthy breakfast are more likely to reach their nutrition goals throughout the day.
Think of it like making your bed in the morning: if you can tackle the first task of the day as soon as you get out of bed, you’re more likely to stay motivated to continue to meet your goals throughout the day. This can apply to breakfast too! If you choose to have a donut for breakfast, you may develop the attitude of, “Oh well, it’s too late to eat healthy now,” which can lead to a higher likelihood of making poor dietary choices later. However, if you start your day with a healthy breakfast and a good workout, you are more likely to feel accomplished and motivated to stay on track throughout the day. Success is a domino effect.
4. People who skip breakfast are more likely to binge later.
One huge mistake I see in clients is that they cut out the calories allotted for breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. Skipping breakfast often leads to an increased risk of binging throughout the day. If you don’t get the fuel you need in the morning, you will be hungrier and more likely to consume too many calories at lunch, dinner, and snack time!
