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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

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, but more and more people are choosing to skip it. This trend, although at first glance it may seem like a matter of personal preference, has a number of consequences. So it's worth looking at the available scientific research and expert opinions.

Table of Contents

1. Reasons for skipping breakfast

One of the main reasons people give up breakfast is lack of time. A rushed lifestyle makes many people feel that they can't prepare and eat breakfast. Another factor is a lack of appetite in the morning, which can be linked to natural metabolic cycles, irregular sleeping hours, eating dinner too late the day before, and stress. Another reason is the desire to cut down on a few calories, which is popular among people trying to lose weight.

2. The impact on the hydrocarbon economy

Regular breakfast consumption plays a key role in regulating blood glucose levels, which is important for maintaining metabolic health. People who do not eat their first meal shortly after waking up are exposed during the day to greater fluctuations in glucose level as well as increased insulin release after the next meal, which may lead to the development of insulin resistance in the long run (H. Ogata et al., 2019).

3. Increased risk of obesity

Avoiding breakfast can lead to a number of negative metabolic consequences, including an increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Research shows that people who regularly skip breakfast tend to compensate by overeating later in the day and thus generate excess energy.

4. Hormonal disorders

Avoiding breakfast can have a significant effect on the body's hormonal balance, especially on levels of hormones such as cortisol, insulin, ghrelin, or leptin. They are key to many metabolic functions and appetite regulation, and their improper release can lead to a number of health problems. Cortisol levels, also known as the stress hormone, naturally increase during the day, and the highest is.

5. The effect on concentration

Breakfast provides the body with essential nutrients that are the foundation for the brain to function effectively for the rest of the day. Glucose, the main brain fuel, is supplied with carbohydrate-rich meals, etc. Full-grain cereal products, which are often a staple of breakfast. Without this energy injection, the brain may not be able to work effectively.

6. Negative effects on mental well-being

People who regularly skip breakfast may experience rapid mood swings from feeling irritable and anxious to a sudden drop in energy and apathy. These fluctuations can make it difficult to concentrate and be efficient at work or study, and lead to strain in interpersonal relationships. 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. Zahedi et al. 2022).

7. What a healthy breakfast should look like

The ideal time to eat breakfast may vary depending on individual preferences and daily schedule, but it is usually recommended that the first meal is eaten within one hour of waking up. In addition, those who exercise in the morning are advised to eat a light breakfast before exercise or a full meal immediately after it is finished. According to the recommendations of the healthy eating plate model, the healthy meal should be balanced and provide different nutrients. Half of the food in the plate should be vegetables and/or fruits that provide essential nutrients, mineral ingredients and fiber.

8. Whether skipping breakfast has its advantages

Some people who decide to skip breakfast feel better after using this solution. However, it is difficult to say whether it is the result of abandoning a meal immediately after waking up, individual preferences, lifestyle, or psychological approach to eating. It should be noted that skipping breakfast can lead to difficulties with glycaemic control, as well as decreased energy, concentration, and effectiveness during the day (I. Vasim, C. N. Majeed, M. D. DeBoer 2022).
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.