1/3 of adults in the US don’t eat breakfast. These people are 4 1/2 times more likely to become obese.

Skipping breakfast slows your metabolism. When you eat less, your body, which is smart, recognizes that you are not eating normally so it cuts your metabolism (the rate that your body burns calories). The reality is that you can’t trick your body when it comes to eating. When you skip breakfast, your body knows almost immediately and responds by slowing your metabolism to make the energy last longer, as if in case of famine. You may think that by starving yourself, you would lose weight, but the opposite is true. Your goal should be to maintain your daily intake of foods to 5 – 6 small meals consisting of a complex carbohydrate and lean protein. A small amount of healthy fat should also be included.

30% of the human brain consists of the prefrontal cortex. This area acts as an administrator in the brain. When this area is undernourished your brain lacks supervision and is impaired, making it hard to focus during the day. So, if you encounter situations where control is required (temptation), the inability to stave off temptation may be experienced. Low blood sugar can also affect overeating in a negative way. If you don’t supply your brain with the needed nutrients through breakfast, bad decisions about food are likely to occur for the balance of the day. This is one of the most important reasons to eat a healthy breakfast.

Brain functions consume 20% of all the energy that the body supplies. So when you are really thinking hard and you get a headache, it’s because you are actually draining the energy there. That’s why we make things automated in our lives. Your brain is craving for energy and wants all the energy it can get. There is a huge difference in how well you will be able to deal with the day to day events depending on if you have eaten or not.

Numerous studies have shown that skipping breakfast doesn’t just affect our ability to deal with problems; it also affects the memory of kids. It can affect their test scores, their ability to read and truly understand what they are learning. This is the reason our public schools provide an opportunity for breakfast for our children. Although, I was not impressed with the “processed bar” I saw provided for my Grandson’s class. I wish we would return to unprocessed foods for our children’s school lunches. I am a supporter of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. I thank our Congress for passing legislation (12/20/2010) to improve the nutritional content of our children’s lunch programs.

What is the perfect breakfast? High fiber cereals, oatmeal, 2% milk, eggs and fruits are all perfect. These foods provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, a small amount of fat and all the things that you need to effortlessly reduce your weight gain as it keeps you energized and healthy.

Author Bio: Linda Hibbard holds certificates in Personal Training and Lifestyle/Weight Management. Innovative health and fitness products for men and women are available through her website at http://www.WomensPersonalFitness.net Read her Blog at http://womenspersonalfitness.blogspot.com

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: breakfast, school lunch, brain