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Don't Skip Breakfast

A Healthy Breakfast Means Good Nutrition

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated: February 13, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

BreakfastPhoto © P. R.

Start the Day Right - Don't Skip Breakfast

Studies show that children who eat breakfast do better in school. It doesn't take much further thought to know that adults will feel better and perform better at work as well. Whether you work at home, on the farm, at the office, at school, or on the road, it is not a good idea to skip breakfast.

If we skip breakfast, we are likely to become tired when our brains and bodies run low on fuel. By mid-morning, a lot of us grab a cup of coffee or wolf down a sugary candy bar to wake up again. This might work for a few minutes, but by lunch time we are hungry, crabby, and perhaps our mood might make us a little more prone to making unhealthy choices at lunch. Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Skipping breakfast is a common strategy for losing weight, but not a smart one. Many people believe that they will lose weight if they skip meals, but that just isn't true; the body expects to be refueled a few times a day, starting with a healthy breakfast. Eating breakfast is good for weight loss. In fact, people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

What is a Healthy Breakfast?

A healthy breakfast should contain some protein and some fiber. Protein can come from low fat meats, eggs, beans, or soy. Fiber can be found in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. A good example of a healthy breakfast might be something simple like a hard boiled egg, an orange, and a bowl of whole grain cereal with low fat milk. Stay away from the sugary cereals, syrups, pastries, and white breads because they are digested quickly and will leave you hungry and tired in a couple of hours. Protein and fiber satisfy your hunger and will keep you feeling full until lunch time.

If you don't like to eat breakfast, or believe you don't feel good when you eat breakfast, you can split your breakfast up into two smaller meals. Eat a hard boiled egg at home, and an hour or two later, take a break from work and snack on an apple and a handful of healthy nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Breakfast Every Morning

Tomorrow morning, remember that eating a healthy breakfast is the best way to start off your day, and be good to yourself by eating a healthy breakfast. Notice how much better you feel through the morning and the rest of the day when you don't skip breakfast.

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