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.