5 Scientific Reasons You Should Never Skip Breakfast

Mornings can feel rushed in almost every household, and when the clock is ticking it’s easy to focus only on the absolute necessities. Once backpacks and briefcases are packed and everyone’s out the door, you may just grab a cup of coffee and hit the road. There are compelling reasons to add breakfast to your short list of morning necessities, however; below are the top five.

5. It lowers your risk of diabetes

The link between skipping breakfast and developing diabetes is mentioned in many research studies. The National Institutes of Medicine notes that eating breakfast is important for regulating your appetite during the rest of the day. Furthermore, over time this eating pattern can lead to insulin sensitivity, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to epidemiology researchers. The message? Don’t skip breakfast.

4. It’s important for heart health

Morning Muesli – Bobbi Bowers

A regular habit of skipping breakfast is shown to increase the risk of serious coronary heart disease by 27%, according to an important study by Harvard School of Public Health. The scientists examined the habits of over 26,000 men for 16 years, and they found a significant link between skipping breakfast and the incidence of heart attacks and deaths from cardiac problems. This linkage held up even after the researchers eliminated other risk factors such as smoking, overall nutrition, and physical activity.

3. Protein in the morning helps you avoid junk food

While eating any sort of breakfast will make you feel less hungry and more satisfied through the morning, a high-protein breakfast will extend these benefits throughout the entire day. An interesting article in Atlantic describes research in which people who ate a protein-rich breakfast of eggs, meat and/or yogurt were less likely to indulge in fatty snacks during the following evening. Special electronic testing showed that the brain-centers associated with cravings remained less active in these test subjects, so it was easier for them to “just say no.”

2. Breakfast supports an active lifestyle

People who eat breakfast simply have more physical energy, which leads them to get more exercise. Scientists in England found that breakfast-eating releases signals into the blood stream that indicate the availability of energy, motivating people to naturally become more active. So don’t skip breakfast.

1. Breakfast helps you pay attention

There’s a reason why many schools offer their students the option of eating breakfast at school. Nutritionists have long been in agreement that eating a morning meal is crucial to a person’s ability to concentrate and learn, regardless of age. Blood sugar levels are low after the night-time, and a breakfast that features whole grains, proteins and high-fiber foods will sustain the steady blood glucose levels that our brains need in order to perform.

Taking good care of your health is often just a matter of clarifying your priorities. With a bit of pre-planning, you can stir a quick high-protein breakfast into your busy morning mix, and benefit your family’s lifelong health with each new day.