In our information-driven society we receive a constant stream of news reports, research and expert advice telling us what to do. Smart choices based on a solid foundation are important. But to make long term lifestyle changes, it's essential that you THINK about how information applies to you. Think about this common rule: You HAVE to Eat Breakfast. This piece of wisdom is supported by numerous studies that have shown that people who eat breakfast:
*Function better (and in the case of children, perform better in school)
*Are less likely to overeat later in the day
*Weigh less than breakfast skippers
The first meal after sleeping literally breaks your fast and prevents you from being too hungry to make mindful decisions later. Eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism for the day, allowing a reliable fuel supply, so it doesn't need to slow down and conserve energy. Some people feel that when they eat breakfast they are hungry all day. The
kind of fuel and the
amount you eat will determine how often you get hungry.
1. The Chicken or the Egg
The association between lower body weight and eating breakfast might be a case of which came first. People who skip breakfast generally weigh more-but perhaps it's because they overeat in the evening due to triggers like TV, boredom, stress, etc; So they don't feel hungry when they first wake up. Some people even get up and eat at night so there is no "fast" to break. Is breakfast important for them, or is it more important to address why they're eating at night?
2. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Sometimes people who struggle with their weight skip breakfast because they're afraid that once they start eating, they won't be able to stop. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. When they do finally eat, they're overly hungry so they feel out of control, leading to guilt and even more eating the rest of the day and into the evening. Become aware of your overall eating pattern and remember to ask the question, "Am I hungry?" before you eat. Learn other ways to cope with head hunger.
3. The Morning After
People who eat instinctively will sometimes have a heavy evening meal, for example, for a special occasion. They are usually not hungry the next morning when they do this. Skipping breakfast on occasion won't harm your metabolism and allows you to intuitively balance your intake over the course of 24 hours or so.
4. Not a Morning Person
Some people it takes a little while for their body to wake up and give them the "eat" signal. That's ok. Check in with yourself again in an hour or so to see if you're noticing hunger. Be prepared with a light breakfast and soon you'll have a healthy new habit.
5. Rush Hour
Mornings can be too stressful and hurried to eat breakfast, so they slam a couple cups of coffee. All that caffeine and adrenaline might mask your hunger but skipping breakfast will make you irritable and less productive. If you can, give yourself a little extra time in the morning to eat. Have quick, healthy items on hand to munch on.
6. Wake Up Call
Lots of breakfast foods are high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and calories but low in nutrition such as donuts, danishes and drive-throughs. Some people eat more than they really need, like a large bagel or a stack of pancakes, then feel sluggish afterward. Watch fancy coffee drinks full of empty calories and very few nutrients.
FACT: Breakfast kick starts your metabolism and your day. It's also a convenient time to eat nutrient dense foods.
So is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Now that's food for thought!
Full Article can be found at www.AmIHungry.com. A voice of reason for a society consumed by dieting, weight, food and eating. Vol. 1 Issue 7
Michelle May is the award-winning author of
Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work. Find additional articles and resources at
www.AmIHungry.com
