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Breakfast has been touted as the most important meal of the day. However, it should also be noted that skipping breakfast has benefits including weight loss.
And, yet, still many experts particularly, dietitians and nutritionists recommend breakfast even on those people who want to lose weight.
However, a recent meta-analysis confirms1 that breakfast may be disadvantageous for people who want to lose weight.
This study suggests that the addition of breakfast might not be a good strategy for weight loss, regardless of established breakfast habit. Caution is needed when recommending breakfast for weight loss in adults, as it could have the opposite effect.
Sievert Katherine, Hussain Sultana Monira, Page Matthew J, Wang Yuanyuan, Hughes Harrison J, Malek Mary et al. Effect of breakfast on weight and energy intake: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials BMJ 2019; 364 :l42
Breakfast Is Healthy – Experts Insist
Regardless of the studies that breakfast may not be healthy for all, experts say the meal is a good source of calcium and fiber.
Moreover, experts say that breakfast boosts energy, and may prevent unnecessary snackings in the mid-morning.
However, is this really what breakfast does nowadays? The reputation that breakfast is healthy stems from observational studies linking the positive effect of breakfast and healthy weight.
Breakfast Is Healthy For Certain People
Among those who benefit from eating breakfast regularly are children. Eating breakfast helps them improve their concentration and able to maintain attention.
Furthermore, people who have heavy and intensive manual labor needs that morning energy in order to keep with their work.
On the other hand, those who are working behind the desk and mostly sitting throughout the day, may not be enjoying the benefit of eating breakfast.
When Did It All Started?
So, where do we get this idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?
Huffington Post say that it comes from a health magazine back in 1917.
In many ways, the breakfast is the most important meal of the day, because it is the meal that gets the day started.
The health magazine whose editor was Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the co-inventor for the famous cereal flakes.
Probably, because Dr. John Harvey Kellogg holds a degree as a medical doctor, no one question that statement back then. Of course, certainly, it can help in preselling the cereal flake products, which, of course, eventually become a popular breakfast food.
Today, it became clear that promoting breakfast as the most important meal of the day is favor toward profits.
The food lobbyists are heavy in their marketing on breakfast items. And, indeed, they are successful. But do these present-day breakfast foods or items doing good for your health?
The Healthy Breakfast
Not all people can go through the day without eating breakfast. If you are among these people, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast.
But what is a healthy breakfast? One thing is clear when it comes to breakfast meals. You must avoid highly processed foods like bacon and hot dogs.
Instead, focus on eating eggs and a healthy way of eating like the ketogenic diet.
Additionally, skipping breakfast and delaying your meal until lunch is a good way to do intermittent fasting. And, the good news of doing this is it keeps your blood pressure healthy and helpful for weight loss.
Final Thoughts
Breakfast is a part of a healthy diet for most people today. However, make sure you are eating a healthy breakfast.
Otherwise, you are simply jeopardizing your health and possibly make you struggle in your weight loss journey.
Of course, many factors affect weight gain but isn’t it helpful to take a closer look at what kind of breakfast you are eating?
For instance, the difficulty to lose weight becomes common for people over 40 years old. Consider being meticulous on picking the food you are eating.
When it comes to breakfast, focus on eating energy-boosting foods as these foods are good for you and give you good moods.
Of course, don’t forget to maintain physical activity. Even if you are overweight, make an effort to exercise and make it a part of your daily health routine.
The combination of good nutrition and regular exercise is good for maintaining the body’s metabolism for effective and healthy weight loss.