Do we really need breakfast??

The Importance of Breakfast

Breakfast has often been described as the most important meal of the day; both children preparing for a hard day at school and busy parents going to work and looking after the kids need to start the day with the right ‘fuel’ to keep them going.

Breakfast literally means “Breaking the Fast” from the last meal or snack from the day before. For most people this will be at least 8-10 hours, and for children who eat earlier in the evening, it can be as long as 16hrs! Energy levels are therefore low in the mornings, and your body needs an energy boost, in the form of food, to kick start the day.

A number of studies have shown that eating breakfast regularly leads to improved mood and better memory. Breakfast eaters also tend to be less stressed and feel calmer. Adults perform better in mental tasks after eating breakfast, and children who eat breakfast perform better in school.

Breakfast should ideally provide around one quarter (25%) of your daily nutritional requirements. Skipping breakfast, whether due to lack of time or trying to lose weight, can mean missing out on essential nutrients, and studies have shown that breakfast skippers are unlikely to make up for these losses later in the day. This can have a negative effect on both short and long term health.

extracted from:www.eparenting.co.uk/food/the_importance_of_breakfast.shtml


Myths and Facts about Eating Breakfast

Myth: It is okay to skip breakfast, because it is not an important meal of the day.
Fact: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Myth: Eating breakfast will make you tired during the day.
Fact: Breakfast provides the energy needed to start the day off right!

Myth: Children who eat breakfast tend to have poor performance in school.
Fact: Children who eat a good breakfast perform better in school, pay more attention, are more creative, think better, score higher on tests

Myth: Children who eat breakfast tend to be overweight.
Fact: Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight.


extracted from: coldwaterchartwells.tripod.com/id27.html