Eating within 30 to 60 minutes of waking up each day is a gift that you are giving to your body. After several hours of sleep without food, you need energy to get moving and to jumpstart your metabolism for the day. Research shows that people who eat a healthy breakfast as part of their routine tend to be leaner and more fit than those who skip their morning meal. They are also getting more fiber, calcium, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, zinc and iron—and less fat and dietary cholesterol.
If you skip breakfast your body goes into starvation mode and is not producing the enzymes you need to metabolize fat and lose weight, your blood sugar begins to drop, your metabolism slows down, you may feel cranky or light headed, and you’re likely to overeat at the next meal because you are so hungry.
If you start your day off with breakfast and continue to eat every 3 to 4 hours, you will reap the following benefits:
- Controlled blood sugar levels and insulin production
- Reduced body fat storage and increased lean muscle mass
- Less hunger and overeating
- Fewer unhealthy food cravings
- More energy and a positive feeling of being in control of the day
- Improved concentration and performance
Breakfast can be simple and automatic. It may be a healthy green smoothie, a bowl of Steel cut oatmeal with fruit, or a veggie scramble. The key is to make time for it because the benefits are so great. To maximize those benefits, follow breakfast by eating every 3 to 4 hours. These meals may include a light snack between breakfast and lunch and another snack between lunch and dinner. A couple of my favorite snacks are cottage cheese with blueberries or a whole grain crackers topped with avocado or hummus and veggies.
Many people say they are not hungry when they wake up and it may be because of poor eating habits. Maybe they ate too much the night before and are feeling guilty so they skip breakfast. Or, maybe they jump into their busy schedule for the day and don’t even notice that they didn’t eat breakfast until they are really hungry. Then the donuts that appear in the office break room become hard to resist!
You can train your mind and body and control your blood sugar and cravings. It starts with your first meal of the day. What are you having for breakfast?
Happy eating, Amy
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