Why skipping breakfast is a mistake

It’s just one little meal, could it really be that bad?

Nod if this sounds like you. 

It’s 6am and the alarm goes off, signaling the start of your working day, but you’re in dire need of one more minute’s sleep… Only now the alarm’s going again and it’s 8:30am. The kids are late for school and you’re throwing on yesterday’s crumpled shirt and vowing you’ll make time for breakfast another day.

We’re all guilty of putting our morning meals at the bottom of the priority list, typically somewhere between realising we have a Monday morning meeting and dashing for the train.  

But dietician Imogen Hooper says while the odd missed breakfast might seem innocent enough, it’s anything but.

Constant craving

“By skipping breakfast you’re leaving yourself open to give in to cravings mid-morning, which can really affect weight management,” says Hooper.

In fact, a study by the Imperial College London involving healthy, non-obese people, found when breakfast was skipped, the brain’s reward centre – linked with impulsive behavior like overeating and reaching for sugary, high-calorie foods – lit up more vividly than when participants ate their regular morning meals.

Nutrient nullification

Few chronic breakfast skippers consider the cost of their missed morning meal to their health, but Hooper says by ditching breakfast, you’re also ditching the essential nutrients that come with it, leaving yourself at risk for health issues.

“Breakfast is a key main meal which gives us the opportunity to hit our fibre, macro and micronutrient targets for the day. Without it, you’re likely to come up short.”

And without the fundamental vitamins your brain needs to kick into gear, your performance at work can be affected, too. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that eating breakfast was strongly associated with improved cognitive function related to memory and performance.

Preparation is everything

But what if you simply don’t have the time for breakfast?

“The old saying ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ rings so clear in this instance,” says Hooper.

“Prepare breakfast the night before. Chia puddings, mini frittatas or overnight oats are the perfect way to start getting into the breakfast habit. Breakfast is key to weight management and healthy living, so you need to reconsider your priorities.”

Eating light

And if you’re someone who struggles to work up an appetite in the mornings, Hooper says you can still come out winning reaching for a lighter option.

“If you absolutely can’t stomach a full meal, you can still start the day well. Go for a plain natural yoghurt topped with a scoop of protein powder or oats for a good amount of carbohydrates and protein that won’t make you feel sluggish or bloated.”

Source
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/the+better+breakfast+guide/why+skipping+breakfast+is+a+mistake,37057