When
dieting, many people are tempted to skip breakfast as a way to cut back on the
calories. Scientific studies have shown that avoiding this meal completely
backfires on most dieters. Why? There are several reasons, but first and
foremost is that you are setting your body’s hunger level for the rest of the
day. It’s hard to keep on a diet when you are constantly thinking about food,
right? Well, you can assure yourself of an easier time of it if you start your
day out with a high protein breakfast. The reason is simple: when you keep your
blood sugar level steady, your hunger level remains steady, too.
The second
reason is that, as implied with the term ‘break’ and ‘fast’, it’s important to
break the fast from your sleep state and wake up your body by eating. When you
eat a quality breakfast, you literally fire up your metabolism and the rest of
your body’s functions. This increases your burn rate on calories throughout the
day – something that we dieters are working towards anyway.
There are
other health benefits, too. When you eat breakfast consistently, you have an
easier time processing fat through the liver. Your cognitive levels are
stronger throughout the day. Your body will process insulin more efficiently,
leading to healthier blood sugar levels.
Now before
you start digging out the cereals and waffles, you need to make sure you are
eating the right things for breakfast. Think protein and complex carbohydrates,
like Canadian bacon and whole grains and fruits. The reason for this is if you
eat processed items like white bread, pancakes, cold cereals or waffles, your
blood sugar level will jump, causing your hunger level to return with a
vengeance a few hours later. You want to focus on food that requires more of
your body to digest. Think low fat or nonfat plain yogurt with berries; whole
grain breads like pumpernickel or stone-ground whole wheat bread; steel-cut or
old fashioned whole oats instead of instant oatmeal.
Don’t
forget the lowly egg for breakfast! Nowadays, eggs are lower in cholesterol
than those of years past; scientific studies are indicating an egg a day has no
harmful effects on your own cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet. In
addition, evidence has shown those dieters who eat eggs for breakfast tend to
feel fuller longer and consequently eat less throughout the day. Bonus for us
dieters!