The Importance of Breakfast in Weightloss

Many people still think that skipping breakfast will help them lose weight, but, to put it frankly, it won’t.

The key to success in weight loss is burning more calories than we consume. Maximising your metabolic rate will help you lose weight, and this is where breakfast comes in.

 

 

Eating a healthy breakfast to kick-start your metabolism after eight hours of sleep as soon as possible after we wake is one of the secrets to successful weight loss. When we skip breakfast, not only does our metabolic rate stay low, so too does our blood sugar levels. Skipping breakfast leads to low blood sugar levels and often leads us to feeling lethargic, and feeling extra hungry later on; making us reach for unhealthy snacking, or eating overly large portions for lunch or dinner.

 

Breakfast is important so that we feel nourished and satisfied, making us far less likely to over eat during the rest of the day.

 

Studies show a direct link between breakfast and successful weight loss, and compared to those who skip breakfast, breakfast eaters generally:

• Eat fewer calories throughout the day
• Eat less saturated fat and cholesterol
• Have better nutrition habits
• Weigh less (women 4kgs/men 3kgs less)

 

Common reasons for missing Breakfast

There are no excuses for missing breakfast. The most common reasons that people use to justify skipping breakfast, and what you can do to combat these, are described below;

• No Time -
  
  Eat something that doesn’t take any time to prepare, like a couple pieces of fresh fruit or a tub of low-fat yoghurt. Prepare your breakfast the night before. Eating something is better than nothing at all. 
• Preferring to exercise in the morning instead -
  
  If you exercise in the morning on an empty stomach, your metabolism won’t reach the same heights it would if you ate something before-hand.

• Not feeling hungry in the morning
  
  If you are not hungry when you wake up, chances are you are eating too much the night before. A good night time snack includes; an apple, reduced fat cheese, a tub of yoghurt & berries, a cup of warm milk or hot chocolate, and many more. 
• Unable to stomach food first thing in the morning –
  
  If you can’t stomach breakfast regularly, find something you enjoy more, or leave breakfast until after you’ve showered and are ready for the day ahead. 

Eating breakfast is so important (especially when trying to lose weight). Keep it fun and mix it up. Here are some possible healthy breakfast choices:

• Milk and whole-grain cereal
• Yogurt and cereal
• Instant oats topped with raisins, strawberries/blueberries or fruit
• Whole-grain bagel topped with fruit and yogurt
• Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
• Fruit smoothie made with yogurt
• Fruit cocktail, with orange juice, strawberries, pears and pineapple
• Cheese and whole-grain crackers
• Egg and veggie omelet

- Mel