You probably know by now that you should be eating breakfast every morning, but did you know that adding breakfast calories to your diet can actually help you lose weight?
Research from the University of Florida found that children who ate breakfast regularly generally consumed more calories each day, but were less likely to be overweight. What’s more, eating breakfast may improve memory, test scores, and school attendance.
One reason a lot of people skip breakfast is because it makes them hungrier the more often they eat a morning meal. But that’s a good thing! It means your metabolism is fired up, forcing your body to burn more calories in the morning and throughout the day. And the better the breakfast, the better the results!
A breakfast high in protein will reap the most benefits. In fact, that first meal of the day is the most important time to get your protein in. Studies show that people who eat high-protein breakfasts, like eggs, cottage cheese and protein shakes, lose more weight in the long run because protein kickstarts the metabolism, helps keep you full longer, and control blood sugar levels throughout the day. On the other hand, an unhealthy breakfast full of sugar and fat will cause a spike in blood sugar and set you up for a day of bad cravings!
Still can’t stomach eating a meal first thing in the morning? Even a handful of crackers or a glass of milk or fresh-squeezed juice is better than starting your day with nothing. You’ll still get a metabolism boost and start the day off on a better foot.
