5 breakfast myths you should no longer believe
Every time you look at the clock in the morning, you definitely don't think about breakfast first. It's probably because you're rushing to get ready for work, get your kids off to school, and grab a coffee so you can make it through the day. If you recognize yourself in this, you're not alone. Research has shown that many people skip breakfast every day because they were too busy to eat breakfast or simply didn't have enough time.
For decades, breakfast has been touted as the most important meal of the day, even though so many people skip it. Is this statement even true then? Is breakfast the king of meals? Today, we're debunking some of the most common breakfast myths and shedding some light on the darkness.
1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
While this isn't entirely false, it's also not entirely true. Breakfast is an integral part of your day because while you sleep, your body goes into a fasting phase and uses reserve energy to keep vital organs running. When you eat after you wake up, your metabolic system kicks into gear. But the meals that follow during the day are just as important. However, how you end your fast in the morning matters. It's not so much about eating anything in the morning, but rather what you eat in the morning and throughout the day. Whether you eat two or three meals throughout the day doesn't matter if you're healthy, balanced portions that account for your total caloric intake. Include power foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as foods that help you control your hunger: Eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds and yogurt. The bottom line is that skipping breakfast is not recommended for most of us, and you need to be careful what you eat.
2. coffee dehydrates
There is no doubt that coffee is on the list of many people's breakfast drinks. People say that drinking coffee for breakfast will make you dehydrated - but this is a myth. Drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages does not cause excessive loss of body fluids. It does have a mild effect and creates the need to urinate, but caffeinated beverages do not necessarily cause dehydration when consumed in moderation. If you'd rather have a cup of espresso in the morning, you can enjoy it at your leisure. Coffee is what many of us choose to start the day.
3. if you eat breakfast, you will eat less throughout the day
The truth is that there's no guarantee that you'll reduce your calorie intake in the afternoon and at dinner just because you ate breakfast. According to researchers, people who skip breakfast tend to be hungrier at lunch than those who eat a high-carbohydrate or high-fiber breakfast. However, people who eat breakfast don't necessarily consume fewer calories throughout the day, although they can better control cravings. If your breakfast includes protein, healthy fats and whole grains, you can curb cravings throughout the day. If you've eaten a healthy and hearty breakfast but still snack throughout the day, it's probably not because you're hungry, but because of boredom, stress, convenience or other reasons.
4. a healthy breakfast requires a lot of preparation
This is one of the biggest breakfast myths. Even though meals like dinner require more preparation, you definitely don't have to overcomplicate your breakfast recipes. There are plenty of breakfast ideas you can try on the go that will save you time when you're in a hurry. For example, a bowl of fruit salad with nuts and yogurt takes a few minutes to prepare, as does a fruit smoothie. Choose fruits high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and pair them with protein and fats from nuts and seeds.
5. Skipping breakfast will help you lose weight
Skipping breakfast has no significant effect on weight loss. Whether you eat breakfast or not ultimately depends on how you personally feel and how your body responds to food, not on skipping breakfast. Some of us may be fine with just a fruit on the go, while others may need a hearty avocado and egg toast. Breakfast, like all other dietary recommendations, should be based on the individual's needs.
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