Why It Is So Important To Eat Breakfast?

Why Eat Breakfast?

Let's dissect the word ‘breakfast'. When you take it apart you find two words with an all-important hidden message. Break – Fast. I can hear your wheels spinning on this one! That's right, breakfast is the meal that breaks the fast that your body goes into each and every night when you sleep.

When breakfast is skipped, your body continues to fast until you eat later in the day.

Two Reasons Why You Shouldn't Skip Breakfast:

Reason #1: Your brain needs fuel to function at its peak.

This fuel comes in the form of glucose derived from food and is needed to walk, talk and perform all other activities. When you skip breakfast your brain is forced to work extra hard in breaking down stored carbohydrates or to turn fats and proteins into usable forms of glucose. Eating breakfast has been proven to improve concentration, increase your problem solving capabilities, enhance overall mental performance and even boosts your memory and mood.

Reason #2: Your metabolism will go into ‘famine' mode.

Three to four hours after you eat, your metabolism shuts down and acts as if it needs to store food. This is a great function to have if a famine were to break out, leaving you without food for days. Since this is likely not the case for you, it is pretty annoying when your body starts packing on the pounds in an attempt to protect you from starvation! Eating breakfast communicates with your body the fact that you are healthy, well fed and not in need of extra fat storage.

What about the cut calories?

"Skipping breakfast is how I cut calories out of my diet." I can't tell you how often I hear this response when I encourage people to eat breakfast. What these "calorie cutters" don't realize is that they are the ones who turn to snacking later in the day in an attempt to ward off low energy levels. Allowing your body to become over-hungry leads to distorted satiety signals, and leaves the door wide open for overeating later in the day.

Start your day with breakfast and then continue to eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day for optimal calorie burning.

What's for Breakfast?

Now that you are convinced that breakfast is worth your time, it's time to decide what to have! A recent study done by Food Watch, a Minnesota-based consulting firm that watches food trends, revealed that most people are basically eating dessert for breakfast, due to the high quantities of on-the-go breakfast foods that are processed, packaged and pumped full of refined carbohydrates. Another study recently proved that high fiber, low fat breakfasts promote healthy weight control much more effectively than highly refined breakfast foods.

Try the following On-The-Go Breakfast Selections for a blend of hearty carbohydrates, protein and fat and experience optimal morning energy.

• Low Fat Yogurt with Fresh Fruit
• Low Fat Cottage Cheese and a Cherry Oatmeal Muffin
• Hard Boiled Egg and Whole Wheat Toast
• Scrambled Egg White on Half a Bagel
• Whole Wheat Tortilla rolled with Scrambled Egg Beaters and Salsa
• Soy Milk with Whole Grain Cereal and Fresh Fruit.

Also Try ProtiDiet Pancakes

Cook these high protein (15 grams) pancakes up with water or lowfat milk in the skillet (come in plain or with blueberries). These are great for those mornings when you want a high-protein pancake treat!

Jump-start The Day With A Balanced Breakfast

Studies continue to validate the importance of eating breakfast for children, teens and adults. Not only do breakfast eaters, young and old, maintain healthier body weights, but they also enjoy benefits beyond the waistline. Kids who skip breakfast rarely make up for the missed nutrients during the day, and kids who eat breakfast experience fewer discipline problems and more academic success than their non-breakfast-eating counterparts. Additionally, studies show that teenage girls who frequently eat cereal weigh less on average than those who do not.

But to reap the greatest benefits of breakfast, it's important to not only make the time to eat, but also make a smart choice. Prominent registered dietitian, author and educator Kathleen Zelman shows how to jump-start the day with a healthy breakfast.

By selecting cereal, consumers choose a quick and easy morning meal with fewer calories than many other popular breakfast items, such as a bagel with cream cheese and fast-food breakfast sandwiches. Record straight on breakfast myths:

1. I skip breakfast so I can save the calories for later. Adults and kids who eat breakfast regularly tend to have healthier body weights and better nutrient intakes than breakfast skippers, so be smart and plan ahead.

2. I'm not a breakfast person. You don't have to eat a lot to get the benefits. You will be more energized and sharper as a result of "breaking the fast."

3. I don't have time. Cereal with milk is quick and easy, and if you choose the right cereal, you get calcium, whole grain and plenty of nutrients.

4. I exercise in the morning, so I can't eat breakfast. If you fuel your body, you'll actually get more from your workout.

5. Breakfast can't be fun. With a little planning and some creativity, breakfast can definitely be fun! For example, treat your kids (and yourself) to a breakfast parfait: layer low-fat yogurt, fruit and your favorite crunchy cereal for a satisfying and fun morning meal.

Weight Loss: Is Breakfast Matter?

One set of statistics I recently saw said that about 25% of Americans skip breakfast. Another set said that nearly one-third (33%) of Americans are obese. Is there a correlation between eating breakfast and being overweight? Will eating breakfast be a significant factor in a weight loss program?

The answer to those questions is yes...er, I mean no...or maybe I mean maybe. While there seems to have been no definitive studies linking breakfast and weight loss directly, there does seem to be a mathematical relationship between skipping breakfast and gaining weight. There also seems to be other evidence that eating breakfast can be a factor in weight loss for some people.

Preventing Weight Gain

One significant aspect of eating breakfast is that it can definitely be a weapon against weight gain. Someone who does not eat breakfast (and we aren't talking about coffee and donuts) is more likely to snack later in the day, and is more likely to eat more food at meals than if they had eaten breakfast. A large portion of this is simply due to fluctuations of blood sugar and other chemicals related to hunger and stress which can be toned down by the simple act of starting the day with a healthy meal of some kind.

Loss Of Energy

People who skip breakfast are more likely to run out of energy earlier in the day. Simple equation here. Less energy = less activity = less calories burned + snacking and overeating = X or Y or something. What do you think? Maybe creeping weight gain?

Lack Of Energy And Performance

School children in particular, but even the guy at the next desk, may have trouble keeping up with lessons, work, life if they skipped breakfast. It's no problem for you because you ate breakfast right? The ability of the brain to function depends to a great extent on the nutrition which is provided to it.

Don't Like To Eat Breakfast ?

Everybody's got an excuse. I don't have time. I don't like to eat breakfast. There's nothing to eat in the house. Eating breakfast makes me feel sick. The dog ate my
breakfast. Come on. We're all grownups here. When we know that doing something is good for us, not doing it is bad for us, and it's simple to do, refusing to do it is childish. Nobody said breakfast has to be a gourmet meal. A peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk and a banana is better than nothing. A bowl of cereal takes less than a minute to prepare and less than five minutes to eat. There are a multitude of nutritious breakfast bars available. You don't even have to eat them at the house. Keep them in your desk drawer or stick one in your pocket or purse as you leave the house. Sure beats munching on a Hershey bar from the machine and raiding the candy bowl on the receptionist's desk!

Let's Have Some Breakfast

If you want to control your weight, fight fatigue and prepare yourself to cope with stress throughout the day, Start the day off right with breakfast. The calories you take in at the morning meal will help prevent your taking in even more calories later in the day.

You’re Vegetarian...how Do You Get Your Protein?!

Moreover, the irony of the whole protein debate is that being overly concerned about sufficient sources of protein for vegetarians may not even be that necessary as it's been proven that excess dietary protein may lead to health problems.

Friends, the necessity for protein for the human body is about a nickel's weight worth, the excess is basically excreted in urine.

Of course we all need a certain amount of protein everyday to remain healthy. However, based on misinformation to this effect, several people view the daily consumption of a high-protein diet as beneficial and this in itself may actually be wrong.

Take a look at these statistics will you:

-According to the French Hygienist, Albert Mossier, diseases and conditions which can be caused or aggravated by too much protein intake include: Leukemia, Skin Diseases and even Cancer.

-Based on the John Robbins work titled: Diet for a New America, the number of people in the US suffering from diseases caused by protein excess is a mind-boggling 40, 000, 000 compared to a measly 3 people suffering from the deficiency of this substance.

Now for some sufficient sources of protein for vegetarians, here are some recommended items.

1. Green Leaves: Believe or not, these babies have sufficient amounts of protein and of extremely high quality, containing all the essential amino acids. They are highly absorbable and will not ferment in the intestines nor poison the body.

2. Fruits: Some of the fruits containing higher quantities of a protein supply for a vegetarian are –Avocados, Dates, Bananas, Olives

3. Nuts

4. Whole Grains

5. Some root vegetables (such as Sweet Potatoes @ 2% by dry weight.)

6. Legumes (though not necessarily advocated...are a good protein supply for a vegetarian)

So there you have it, a list of adequate food items that can be consumed for the necessity of meeting your protein needs as a vegetarian, just remember, it’s really not something that you have to be overly obsessive about…really.

Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I'm sure that you heard that all the time when you was a kid. But, it is true. Breakfast is one of those meals that people today tend to skip. I really don't understand this. Maybe this is why people are so uptight in the morning. They have the shakes from not eating. You might have a busy lifestyle, but you need to make sure that you have time for breakfast. Breakfast is one of those meals that you must eat. I don't think there is any choice about it. I know that most people who do eat breakfast, tend to be the type that run out of the house with a donut in their hand. This really isn't a good idea. I don't know why people jump to the sugary breakfast foods. I guess it is why people drink coffee. They need that bolt of energy to wake them up. Or they think that maybe they can avoid eating a good meal by eating something full of sugar. After all, they feel energetic after eating a bunch of sugar.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to wake up at work? Have you noticed how during the day you get tired? This is because you aren't getting the right foods for breakfast. You don't realize how important this meal is. Every day you should have a good meal for breakfast? What are some good things to eat for breakfast? First, let's start off with what you shouldn't eat.

Don't eat donuts. For the reasons we spoke above.

Don't eat any cereals that are loaded with sugar. This is nothing more than empty calories. They don't offer you anything. Not only that, but too much of this and you will gain weight. Have you ever noticed how sluggish you feel before lunch? This is because you are eating too much sugar! Don't eat a ton of fried foods. Don't eat a bunch of bacon, fried eggs, and some french toast. The added fat will weigh you down.

Don't eat those pasties that come in the boxes. These are loaded with sugar. They don't offer you anything that is actually good for you. They rob you of all the things that you should be eating. Don't load up on coffee. Don't think because coffee can give you energy, that you can drink it instead of eating. Now, what you should be eating.

Eat a cereal that is low in sugar. Cereal with milk is a great breakfast. It is a good all around meal. Try a new egg sandwich. People seem to love the egg sandwiches at fast food restaurants. Why not make one at home? You can put some cheese or some lean ham on yours. Use your imagination, these are fun to make.

Eggs are good for breakfast. I'm not going to go through the whole mess about how they say eggs are bad for you. Don't buy it. Eat them, but eat them in moderation. Pancakes. These can be great from time to time. Try to get yourself one of those griddles that you don't need to add fat too. If you get one of those, you will be able to eat these more often. To cut down on calories. Instead of using butter and syrup, put fresh fruit on yours. I love eating mine with fresh fruit on top of them.

Juice is great for breakfast. Get that pick me up that you need without the caffeine of morning coffee. You don't have to worry about getting the shakes if you drink too much juice. Though, you might get the shits, but not the shakes.

Old fashioned toast. This is still a great thing to eat. Just don't load it up with too much butter or other things.

Oatmeal. I know that most of you probably hated oatmeal when you were a kid. But, this is some great stuff. Add some milk and a bit of sugar and you have a breakfast that will stick to your ribs.

Fruit salad can be great for breakfast. I love things that taste refreshing that don't take all day long to make. Throw your favorite fruits together and call it a meal! There you go. A good breakfast isn't as hard as you might think that it is. All you have to do is stay away from the drive through window and you will be fine. Also, don't eat those pasties in a box. They are nothing but junk food.

Losing Weight Starts At Breakfast: Best Foods To Begin Your Day

Do you start the day running, scrambling to get yourself and the kids ready? If you’re trying to lose weight, your first task is eat a healthy breakfast even if you’re in a rush. Moms, don’t give into the temptation to grab a donut and call that breakfast. A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods to refuel your body and by variety, we’re not talking about sugar. Think whole grains, low-fat protein, dairy and fruit. Here’s a list of some of the best foods to jump start your day:

Grains – oatmeal, whole grain rolls, toast, hot or cold cereals, bran muffins
Protein – eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat
Dairy – low-fat or skim milk, low-fat plain yogurt, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese
Fruits or vegetables – fresh fruits like bananas, apples and strawberries, carrot juice

Don’t have time to sit for breakfast? Munch on a high fiber dry cereal with a banana. Gulp down a cup of skim milk before you head out the door.

Tired of the same old, same old? Try yogurt topped with fruit and a little of your favorite dry cereal. Spice up cottage cheese by adding raisins and cinnamon. Make your own egg muffin with a whole grain English muffin. If you have to eat breakfast out, choose whole-grain breads over donuts, scones, pancakes, croissants or biscuits. Skip the ham, bacon or sausage.

Eating a healthy breakfast will keep you from binging mid-morning or eating way too much at lunch because you’re ravenous. By satisfying your hunger in the right way, you’ll enjoy better concentration during those productive morning hours. When you select healthy options in the morning, it will be easier to continue good eating habits throughout the day. And that’s one key to losing weight after baby.

How Much Protein Do We Really Need?

Here are some other facts that should spur you in the right direction in regards to excessive protein consumption: According to the French Hygienist, Albert Mosseri,
diseases and conditions which can be caused or aggravated by too much protein intake include: Leukemia, Skin Diseases and even Cancer.

Judging from these, it may be time to revise the misinforming ideas on protein in our diets.

Let’s assess the following:

1. The animals that are usually eaten for protein, what do they subsists on? Substances of the Plant Kingdom for example: cows live on grass exclusively.

2. The great apes are primarily fruit eaters (although with substantial amount of leaves in their diets) How similar are humans to them? Very much so. We share 98% of the same genes.

3. It's been scientifically proven that mother's milk is about 2% protein, now if this is the ideal of a growing baby for the first 3 years, of course it shows the minimal need of it. (Point of note, the milk of a woman is affected by her diet so of course that should be checked!)

4. The need of protein for the human body is about a nickel's weight worth, the excess is basically excreted in urine.

5. Based on research, the need for amino acids is highly exaggerated as only 16% or our body is Protein. Pure protein is primarily Nitrogen (N) with some Oxygen and Hydrogen and Carbon.

6. Research has been done on the diet of the aboriginal tribes living in the Mountains of Hagen. Their diet consisted of 80 % Sweet potatoes. The rest consisted of fruits and green leaf vegetables. Their daily consumption of protein was around 9.92 g. Meanwhile, eliminated in their fecal matter was a protein of around 15 times more of what was ingested.

So, how much protein do we really need again? It is safe to say not as much as we have led to believe. If our most genetically sound food-fare are the fruits, leaves and occasional roots ever so presented by nature, then suffice it to say those should be what we should consume more off.

It can’t be a coincidence that these are the healthiest choices.

All in all: here’s to health and happiness.

Why Breakfast Is Key To Speed Up Your Metabolism

Many people skip the most important meal of the day simply because they are in a hurry or they think that it will help them to lose weight. Unfortunately for them this is farther from the truth then they may think. Breakfast is one of the most important eating habits anyone can have because it can have such a positive impact on their health and weight loss efforts.

Breakfast is beneficial in many ways. After a nights sleep your body's energy supplies are low and its fuel tank needs to be filled. In this case it needs its energy in the form of calories, along with other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, fiber, and protein. Breakfast helps build up your blood glucose level which is low when you wake up, jump start your day, and helps speed up your metabolism, which is your most powerful fat burning tool.

Here's what eating breakfast can do for you. It provides an increased blood sugar level which your brain, muscles, and other internal organs need for energy. This leads to better concentration and memorization abilities along with more sustained energy as the morning progresses. This helps avoid the late morning energy crash that leads many people to snack on less then healthy foods.

It's important to think about what you eat for breakfast as well. Having coffee and donuts is not a good breakfast because these provide little in the way of good nutrition. You might get a quick energy boost from the refined sugar and caffeine but it will be short lived and cause a blood sugar crash that will leave you craving more sugar. Focus on high fiber/high complex carbohydrates foods from whole grain sources along with protein, a little fat, and fresh fruit or veggies which will provide good energy. You want sustained calories that last through the morning, keeping you energized and alert through out the day.

There are also many studies which prove that people who eat a healthy breakfast eat less during the rest of the day simply because they don't have those cravings during the day. If you look at the current weight problems affecting the western world these days you can see how bad eating habits are contributing to the problem.

One of the best ways to speed up your metabolism is to eat a healthy breakfast every day. Breakfast is your first chance of the day to give your body the nutrition it needs to perform at its optimal level. Give your body what it needs and you will be surprised at how much easier it is to lose that extra weight you've been trying to get rid of.