We all know the universal adage that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, and that it is! But if you fail to meet the requirement of having a proper wholesome breakfast, the ‘second breakfast’ that has been frowned upon in the past is now actually recommended!
Researchers at Yale and the University of Connecticut found that two breakfasts are better than one. From a study following 600 middle school students for three years (from fifth to seventh grade), children who skip breakfast altogether, rather than indulge twice, had a higher likelihood and risk of becoming overweight or obese.
This finding does not suggest indulging in pancakes and then croissants and pastries later on, but rather suggests that if you absolutely do not have the time to make a breakfast before heading out, at least grab a snack, such as a granola bar or apple, and then make time to grab a muffin or yogurt a couple hours later. The common misconception that if you’re trying to lose weight skipping breakfast can help control weight and hunger may fuel the prevalence of people skipping breakfast entirely. However, it is actually proven that not eating properly, especially at breakfast, is more likely to increase hunger throughout the day, leading to eating on the go. Skipping meals also impacts our impulse control and snack cravings, leading to a greater likelihood of choosing unhealthy snacks more frequently.
So for a more successful day, both mentally and physically, don’t forget to prioritize that wholesome breakfast, or even a small breakfast with a snack soon after to help fuel your body and brain!
Written by Laura Spong
