Is Breakfast Really The Most Important Meal Of The Day?

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

This is something engrained in our minds from a very early age, similar to 'carrots help you see in the dark' and 'eating crusts will give you curly hair'. Ever had your mum whine at you for refusing breakfast? Ever been judged for skipping breakfast like it's the end of the world? It's practically sinful to skip breakfast because of this ancient ideology, but is this actually true? Or just more 'food fiction'? 

For

Skipping breakfast links to obesity

Studies have found that regularly skipping breakfast has link to obesity. 

Those who made breakfast the largest meal of the day were more likely to have a lower BMI (body mass index) than those who ate large lunch or dinner.

Some researchers even argued that breakfast helps reduce daily calorie intake and improve the quality of our diet as most breakfast foods are high in fibre and nutrients. 

People who eat breakfast are more health conscious

A professor of appetite research ay the University of Aberdeen argues that those who eat breakfast are more health conscious - as apposed to breakfast-skipper who are deemed an less knowledgeable about nutrition. 

Eating breakfast provides energy for the day

Breakfast gives you the energy you need to get through the day and can help you focus in certain settings. Although this is true, it's also important you're eating the right foods for breakfast such as eggs, yogurt, oats, porridge, berries, chia seeds and whole wheat toast. These foods listed are high in fibre, protein and healthy fats.

Choosing nutritional foods may provide better long-lasting benefits and keep you full for longer.

Against

Nothing but a Marketing Slogan

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" is nothing but a marketing slogan, attached to cereal connoisseur John Harvey Kellogg to promote Kellogg's cereal in the 19th Century. 

Not enough evidence

Although there's studies to support breakfast being the most important meal of the day - there's no conclusive evidence on whether this is true or not.

Breakfast is nothing special

Although breakfast is perceived a healthy, it's not necessarily 'the most important meal of the day' as everyone makes out. 

Breakfast is completely optional, and the evidence is pretty clear that's there's nothing that special about breakfast - but there's definitely some benefits. 

In conclusion 

At the end of the day, breakfast is optional and comes down to personal preference. 

There's evidence to support that there are some health benefits to consuming breakfast, but whether that makes it the most important meal of the day is questionable. 

What IS important, is to ensure you're having a balanced diet throughout the day. Whether breakfast is included in your meal plan, well - that's completely up to you.

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