Search
logo
Search
The article is in preview mode

Why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day

Homepage Articles Why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day

Why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day

So it's worth taking a look at the available scientific research and expert opinions. Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, but more and more people are choosing to skip it. This will help us better understand the impact of skipping breakfast not only on physical health, but also on mental and emotional functioning.

Table of Contents

1. Reasons for skipping breakfast

Another factor is lack of appetite in the morning, which can be linked to natural metabolic cycles, irregular hours of sleep, too late dinner the day before, and stress. Some people think that skipping breakfast is a simple way to limit daily energy intake. Supporters of this approach often consider skipping a morning meal as part of their dietary strategy, which aims to improve health and well-being.

2. The impact on the hydrocarbon economy

People who do not eat their first meal shortly after waking up are exposed during the day to greater fluctuations in glucose levels as well as increased insulin release after the next meal, which in the long run can lead to the development of insulin resistance (H. Regular breakfast consumption plays a key role in regulating blood glucose, which is important for maintaining metabolic health.

3. Increased risk of obesity

Increased body weight is also one of the major risk factors for developing a metabolic syndrome, which includes a group of conditions such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipid disorders, or belly fat. Ma et al. 2020). Studies show that people who regularly skip breakfast tend to compensate for this by eating too much food later in the day and, as a result, generate excess energy. Each of these conditions increases the risk of other serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease (X. Eliminating breakfast can lead to a series of negative metabolic consequences, including increased metabolism and metabolic imbalance.

4. I'm not sure what's going on here

Cortisol levels, also called the stress hormone, naturally increase during the day and peak in the morning. Brandhorst, V.D. This can have many negative effects, including increased stress, problems with concentration, or chronic fatigue. Witbracht et al. 2015). Eliminating breakfast can disrupt the natural rhythm of these hormones, and consequently lead to increased ghrelin levels and decreased leptin levels. Elimination of breakfast can have a significant effect on the body's hormonal balance, especially on the levels of hormones such as cortisol, insulin, or leptin.

5. The effect on concentration

Without this energy injection, the brain may not be able to function effectively. This is particularly evident in academia. This mechanism has been confirmed in studies It has been shown that breakfast has a positive effect on children's and young people's cognitive abilities, especially short-term memory and concentration (H. Breakfast provides the body with essential nutrients that are the foundation for the brain's efficient functioning throughout the day.

6. Negative effects on mental well-being

Research results clearly indicate that later eating the first meal is also associated with an increased risk of developing depression, as well as reduced mood and higher levels of stress (H. People who regularly skip breakfast may experience rapid mood swings from feeling irritable and anxious to a sudden drop in energy and apathy. Zahedi et al. 2022).

7. What a healthy breakfast should look like

According to the recommendations in the healthy food plate model, a healthy breakfast should be balanced and provide different nutrients. The second half of the plate should be divided into two equal parts: one with protein products (e.g. eggs, meat, protein) and the other with complex carbohydrate sources (e

8. Whether skipping breakfast has its advantages

It should be borne in mind that skipping breakfast can lead to difficulties with glycaemic control as well as decreased energy, concentration and effectiveness during the day (I. Majeed, M.D. Therefore, the decision to skip breakfast should be thought through and taken taking into account individual needs and body abilities.

Category:
Source

Brandhorst S., Longo V.D., Breakfast keeps hunger in check, „Cell Metabolism” 2022, 34(10), 1420–1421.
Ma X. et al., Skipping breakfast is associated with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis, „Obesity Research & Clinical Practice” 2020, 14(1), 1–8.
Moller H. et al., Breakfast skipping and cognitive and emotional engagement at school: a cross-sectional population-level study, „Public Health Nutrition” 2021, 25(12), 1–10.
Ogata H. et al., Association between breakfast skipping and postprandial hyperglycaemia after lunch in healthy young individuals, „British Journal of Nutrition” 2019, 122(4), 431–440.
Vasim I., Majeed C.N., DeBoer M.D., Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health, „Nutrients” 2022, 14(3), 631.
Witbracht M. et al., Female breakfast skippers display a disrupted cortisol rhythm and elevated blood pressure, „Physiology & Behavior” 2015, 1, 140, 215–221.
Wolnicka K., Talerz zamiast Piramidy. Najnowsze zalecenia dot. zdrowego żywienia, „Przegląd Gastronomiczny 2021, 75, 1–2.
Zahedi H. et al., Breakfast consumption and mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, „Nutritional Neuroscience” 2022, 25(6), 1250–1264.