You may have heard the phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” more than a few times, but just how important is it? If you have a busy schedule or you’re rushed off your feet each morning, it can be difficult to fit a healthy breakfast in.
Breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period – hence the name ‘breakfast’. After a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast replenishes your glucose levels, supplies you with essential nutrients and gives you the fuel you need after an overnight fast. Eating a healthy breakfast also provides many health benefits too.
However, despite all of the benefits of eating breakfast each morning, many people still skip it. Below, we take a closer look at the importance of eating a healthy breakfast and the wealth of benefits a good healthy breakfast offers.
Eating breakfast boosts your energy levels
Depending on activity levels and health conditions, people’s energy needs vary; however, one thing remains the same across the board: everyone requires energy to function. When you wake up in the morning, you need that extra boost of energy.
The body’s energy source is glucose. During periods when you’re not eating, such as overnight, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases it into your bloodstream as glucose. This keeps your blood sugar levels stable which is important for your brain.
When you wake up, eating breakfast tops up your glycogen levels, boosting your energy levels and keeping your metabolism up for the day. Glucose is an essential carbohydrate needed for the brain to function.
Once the energy from your glycogen stores is used up, your body breaks down fatty acids to produce the energy it requires. However, without carbohydrates, fatty acids are only partially oxidised, resulting in reduced energy levels. Eating breakfast boosts your energy levels, setting you up for an active day.
You can get the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need from a balanced breakfast
Providing you eat the right breakfast, your first meal of the day is a great way to get some of your essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients in before the day has even begun. In fact, breakfast provides a lot of your day’s total nutrient intake; typical breakfast foods are rich in calcium, iron, folate, fibre and B vitamins – all essential nutrients to keep your body healthy.
People who eat breakfast are more likely to meet their daily intake of minerals and vitamins than those who skip it. Those who eat breakfast tend to consume more milk and wholegrains too, ensuring they get the important calcium that our bodies need.
A healthy breakfast promotes heart health and reduces the risk of illness
Eating breakfast has long term health benefits. People who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight and more likely to consume unhealthy snacks throughout the day. When you eat breakfast, you fill up for the morning; this makes you less likely to search around in the cupboards for snacks later on.
Weight gain contributes to high cholesterol and high blood pressure which can contribute to heart disease. People who regularly eat breakfast tend to have a lower risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes too. When you start your day with breakfast, you’re less likely to consume fat throughout the day.
Just remember – what you eat is equally as important as when you eat. Your breakfast should include healthy grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables. A healthy, satisfying meal in the morning will make you less likely to nibble on less nutritious foods throughout the day – when we’re hungry, we often eat the first and easiest thing available to us. Usually, these available snacks aren’t as healthy as they should be!
Eating breakfast boosts brain power
No matter what type of job you have, everyone needs an extra bit of brain power in the mornings. Whether you spend your day in front of a screen in the office or your working day consists of physical outdoor activity, your brain needs sufficient energy (in the form of glucose) to get going and function.
When you skip breakfast, you may feel slow, sluggish and distracted. You may find yourself struggling to focus on tasks and work; this is because your brain is lacking the energy it needs. Skipping breakfast can affect your mental performance – if your body is hungry and your brain starved of energy, your attention span, ability to concentrate and memory will suffer. Daily tasks that are usually easy to complete may feel more difficult.
A balanced breakfast can help you to maintain a healthy diet
As you’re less likely to snack throughout the day when you eat breakfast, those who eat a healthy breakfast generally tend to have a healthier diet. People who consume an adequate breakfast each morning are more likely to make healthier food choices throughout the day. When you skip breakfast, you may find yourself feeling lethargic and turning to high-energy food and drinks to help you focus and get through the day.
Eating a healthy breakfast makes it easier to control your hunger and eating habits throughout the day, helping you to maintain a healthy diet without turning to sugar or processed snacks. For those who do skip breakfast every so often, opt for nutritious snacks in the morning such as veggie sticks, fresh fruit or yoghurt.
Healthy breakfast ideas
When you have a busy schedule or a house of children to get ready for school each morning, it can be difficult to put together a healthy breakfast. However, it’s essential that both you and your children have a nutritious breakfast to get your days off to the best start. Below are some quick and easy ideas to ensure you fit a healthy breakfast in before the day begins:
- Porridge with fruits. Our favourite fruits to have with porridge include blueberries, banana (with added honey for a sweet touch), strawberries and raspberries.
- Cereal is a quick and easy way to ensure you and your children get a healthy breakfast in, and it involves absolutely no preparation – perfect for those busy mornings. Wholegrain cereals such as bran cereals are best with milk or natural yoghurt.
- Smoothies are another quick and easy way to ensure you’re getting your morning nutrients. Simply put fresh fruit, natural yoghurt and milk into a smoothie maker and whizz away!
- Yoghurt and fruit. Another quick and easy way to ensure your morning gets off to the best start: add fresh fruit into a bowl of yoghurt. You can also add raw nuts for some extra crunch too.
Freshways: wholesale foods and dairy products across the UK
Now that you know all about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast, it’s time to make sure you’ve got plenty of healthy breakfast options on your menu for customers. At Freshways, we’re dedicated to providing our clients throughout London, Wales and the UK, with the freshest milk and dairy products available.
From small businesses such as cafes and bakeries right through to hotels, retailers and manufacturers, we’re proud to be the reliable dairy products supplier in the UK. As a family-run business, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality dairy products to our clients. We only use cows farmed in the UK, ensuring we provide quality products every single time.
In addition to dairy products, we also supply juices, cheese, butter, bread and other everyday products you may require. We aim to provide the freshest and highest quality products at competitive prices, whether you’re in Acton, London or anywhere else in the country.
For more information about our products, visit our website.