Perhaps one of the biggest debates of our millennium revolves around the importance (or lack of) breakfast.
We get it, it’s not easy to prioritize breakfast when you’re rushing out the door (or rushing your kids out the door). Mornings never go as smoothly as you’d like – and sometimes skipping that first meal and holding out for lunch is what happens.
There are obvious benefits of eating healthy at every meal, but the details get a bit grey when it comes to which meals are most important and what to eat. Plus, just as many articles herald the benefits of breakfast as proclaim you should skip it: skipping breakfast even has a fancy name now, intermittent fasting. And the conflicting evidence and points of view can be confusing.
So, with all the info out there, we thought we’d ask our Nutrilite™ nutrition experts to weigh in on the subject.
Lynne Connor, one of Amway’s formulation research scientists recommends eating breakfast, as it could help you start the day better.
“Breakfast helps spread nutrient intake more evenly throughout the day. Personally, I prefer how I feel when I’m on a more routine/metered eating schedule. I experience more consistent energy levels with less peaks and valleys,” she said.
“Breakfast is an easy way to help meet nutrition targets some people find difficult to achieve, like fiber, protein, whole grains and fruit.”
There is also research that shows that when meals are spread throughout the day and less food is consumed in the evenings people experience improved weight-loss and metabolic health.
“How your body manages blood sugar, cholesterol levels, sleep and even your percentage of body-fat loss can improve when meals occur earlier in the day,” said Kerry Grann, one of Amway’s research scientists and clinical investigators. “We also know that obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are all linked to irregular meal patterns, especially when too much food is consumed in the evenings.
When it comes to what to eat for breakfast, the choices are endless. But in general, our scientists recommend reaching for options that are high in fiber and protein, like whole grain cereal with fruit and lower fat milks (like soy or almond).
For days when it’s hard to sneak in a full breakfast, you might try keeping a sachet of sugar-free instant oatmeal, a BodyKey by Nutrilite™ Meal Bar or some healthier snacks like almonds in your bag, car or at your desk to keep the cravings at bay.
In short, it’s hard to determine if breakfast is the most important meal of the day or not.
Nutrition science is really complicated, and no two people respond the same. But, for a majority of people, the evidence points to the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast, especially if you are prone to overeating later in the day. But the bottom line is do what works for you.
