For generations, we have heard that, we have heard this since for generations: our breakfast should be large, and we should never skip it.
But, frankly speaking, how many of us actually understand why breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Besides the age-old experiences and stories, there’s also scientific logic behind it, which shows that eating breakfast breaks overnight fasting by replenishing the supply of glucose thereby providing nutrients to keep the body’s energy levels up for the day. That is why it is said that we should eat breakfast like a king, because consuming a significant portion of our daily meals in the morning, provide ample energy to sustain ourselves throughout the day.
Let’s understand what we mean by “Glucose”- it is the source of energy for the body. Whatever we eat is broken down and absorbed from the carbohydrates we eat. In the morning, after 8-10 hours of sleep, our body has been without food; thus, the body’s glycogen levels start depleting. Glycogen is the glucose that gets stored in our muscle tissues and liver, where it’s released slowly overnight to keep our blood sugar levels stable. Once all energy from the glycogen stores have been used, our body starts to break down fatty acids to produce the energy it needs. The low levels of carbohydrate in the body can cause reduced energy levels. Glucose naturally produced by plants, is a pure sugar, and it is a subcategory of carbohydrates. Eating breakfast restores glycogen stores and boosts our energy levels.
Breakfast provides an essential portion of the total nutrient intake of the day. It gives us the opportunity to eat foods with a full spectrum of macronutrients and provides the necessary vitamins & minerals, needed by our body all of which can be absorbed and utilized by the body slowly throughout the day.
Despite knowing the importance of the first & foremost meal of the day, some people still tend to skip breakfast due to lack of time, unavailability of ready-made food, and various other reasons. However busy you may be, it’s important to reconsider the way you look at breakfast because if you want to start feeling healthy then a good breakfast will go a long way in shaping your health. Plan your meals ahead of the day; make necessary arrangements, whether it’s cooking the previous night, or storing a sufficient supply of ready to eat food or carrying fresh fruits to eat on the go, if you are really in a rush. Investing in yourself and prioritizing important meals of the day will definitely help you in the long run.
