There’s a LOT of mixed opinions out there about whether breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. So…Is it?
Well, yes and no. Breakfast can be essential to your health, but not for the reasons purported in magazines. Here’s why.
Skipping breakfast is not necessarily unhealthy.
There’s a myth swirling around that skipping breakfast slows down your metabolism, and therefore causes you to put on weight. But does the science really support this?
Some clinical trials have actually shown that intermittent fasting gives the body a well-needed break and reduce dangerous levels of fat around our organs. Traditionally, this approach recommends fasting two days a week (hence the “5:2 diet”) but other research has shown that a daily 12-hour fast between dinner and lunch can have the same effect.
That being said, if you’re ravenous the second you wake up, it won’t do you any good to sit through hunger pangs until lunchtime. Listening to your body – and its hankering for avocado toast – is the key to good health.
Why breakfast can still be the most important meal.
While eating breakfast may not “speed up” your metabolism, that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits to your morning meal. Your morning routine sets the tone for the day – and if you have a nutritious, veggie-filled breakfast, you’ll likely be more inclined to eat more healthily the whole day through.
This concept is called “front-loading”.
“Once people learn how to get two to four serves of veg into their breakfast, the rest of their day is pretty much sorted,” says IQS nutritionist and recipe developer, Meg Yonson.
Hungry yet? Here’s how to make the most of brekkie.
1. Get your veggies in. Breakfast can be as green as your dinner. And, while most people don’t have the stomach for a salad first thing in the morning, you can be a bit clever about sneaking those greens in. Pimp our new Superfood Paleo Bread Mix with grated zucchini, carrots, sweet potato and, of course, topped with smashed avo!
2. Choose cereals wisely. Whole grains aren’t the devil, but the sugar-frosted ones just might be. Check out our sugar-free cereals comparison for the lowdown on the best healthy supermarket brands.
3. Power up on protein. Yep, this your excuse to have some good-quality bangers. Protein is super satiating, and will keep you going… and going…
4. Fill up with healthy fats. Fats are the most filling foods around, so you won’t be compelled to duck out of the office for a mini-break muffin. Hence, the avocado love!
5. Stay away from sugar. While this is kind of a “no, duh” statement, sugar is a massive part of people’s morning routines. Before you grab that muffin, pancake or waffle, think about what tone you’re setting for the rest of the day. And refer back to step #1.
We originally published this post in June 2016. We updated it in May 2017.
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