The Pitfalls of Not Eating a Proper Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for various reasons: it kick-starts your metabolism and gives you the energy to carry on with your day. Breakfast is also your first meal after the overnight fasting period and it replenishes your supply of essential nutrients. However, some people either skip breakfast or gorge on something unhealthy and this can have a negative impact on their health. Here are some reasons to never skip breakfast:

1- Breakfast Skippers Tend To Have An Unhealthy Lifestyle:

According to a research by Helsinki University, people who skip breakfast are more likely to smoke and workout less. On the other hand, people who eat a hearty breakfast have a leaner body and have a more balanced diet overall. If the thought of eating something in the morning makes you gag, start with something light.

2- Breakfast Skipping Can Put You At A Greater Risk For Heart Diseases:

Whether you neglect breakfast because you are out of time, want to cut calories, or simply don’t feel hungry, you will have to break out of this habit as a Harvard University study has found that individuals who skip breakfast have a greater risk of heart disease than those who enjoy a morning meal. Even though no cause and effect relationship has been established, it is suspected that remaining in a fasting state for a prolonged period of time can be stressful for the body and result in metabolic changes. The changes in hormones to keep blood sugar levels stable may lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase your chances of heart problems.

3- Skipping Meals Makes Your Body Store Extra Fat:

Having a proper breakfast is just as important as having breakfast. An unhealthy breakfast is unlikely to give your metabolism a boost. Make sure you include around 35g of protein from sources such as oats, egg, or yogurt to limit fat storage.

4- You Might Find It Harder To Stay Focused:

Your brain needs glucose to function properly and glucose is predominantly found in foods high in carb. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are one of the best sources of glucose as they are digested slowly and provide a steady supply of energy. When you skip breakfast, your blood sugar often dips too low, making it difficult for you to concentrate.

5- Your Immune System Suffers:

Your immunity goes down when you neglect breakfast as prolonged period of fasting triggers damage to cells. When you skip breakfast, you deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to sustain fighter cells (T-cells) and maintain healthy levels of immune cells which fight infections.

6- Takes a Toll on Metabolism

Food provides us with the energy to keep going – can you keep going without food? The answer is no. If you do not provide nourishment to your body through breakfast or the first meal of the day, how will it function effectively through the day? Also, eating a healthy breakfast prevents metabolic and liver disorders and there are scientific studies that prove the same claim.

7- It May Trigger Migraine

If you are susceptible to migraines, skipping your first meal of the day could make you more susceptible to migraines. This is because skipping meals leads to low blood sugar levels in the body, which in turn may increase your blood pressure and thus increase your chances of having a migraine episode.

8- It Negatively Affects Your Energy and Mood

If you have been avoiding eating breakfast on a daily basis and you notice your behaviour turning erratic, irritable and your energy levels going down, well, you can blame it on your skipped breakfast. In other words, there can be a negative effect of skipping breakfast on subsequent energy levels. There is scientific evidence  proving that the ill-effects of skipped breakfast on people include increased fatigue levels and compromised memory skills. So, next time you find yourself low on energy and in a bad mood for no evident reason, just think whether you had your breakfast or not.

9- Increases Risk of Type-2 Diabetes

According to a study, it was observed that people who did not eat breakfast regularly were at an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes in comparison to people who ate breakfast regularly. So, if your family has a history of diabetes and you wish to avoid this disease, eat your breakfast regularly.

So, skipping breakfast affects metabolism, increases the risk of heart disease and may put you at other such kinds of health risks. Therefore, eat your breakfast and reduce your chances of developing such health complications.

Talk to your doctor if you have no appetite in the morning. You can find and book an appointment with top Dietitian in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan through oladoc.com. You can also call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your health concerns.