Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day. It refuels the supply of glucose to boost energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health.
However, it is also known to be the most skipped. It may be because waking up early to prepare your morning meal is a hard thing to do, or your schedule just does not allow you to squeeze it in.
But most health experts would agree that you should not ignore breakfast no matter what the reason. Below we outline some of the reasons why you should never skip breakfast.
Put your health on the right track
Having breakfast at the start of each day has proven to help lower your risk of diabetes and obesity. This can be attributed to the fact that having food in your body puts your system to work by regulating your insulin levels.
It improves your focus
Eating a breakfast high in complex carbohydrates can help improve your alertness and focus for the rest of the day. This can be especially helpful if you are one to fall into the afternoon slump, as complex carbohydrates keep you satiated and energised.
Improves mood
People’s spirits are also raised by eating a balanced breakfast on time. Having breakfast makes you calmer and more collected throughout the day, as you are seldom dealing with hunger pangs.
Additionally, studies say that breakfast skippers demonstrate higher levels of stress and depression than breakfast eaters.
So, what time should you eat breakfast?
According to nutrition experts, the best time to eat breakfast is as soon after you wake up as possible. You should certainly eat it within two hours of getting up, otherwise, you will be missing out on the benefits.
You will also feel more tempted to eat high-sugar junk foods to perk yourself up. If you exercise in the morning, you should still have breakfast first. Eat something light but nutritional, such as a banana or avocado on toast.
Read the latest issue of IOL Health digital magazine here.
