5 reasons you should never skip breakfast

The first meal of the day is the most important. Here are our top 5 reasons you should never skip breakfast

1. It fires up your metabolism
Getting a good brekkie down you revs up your metabolism ready for a full day of fat-burning. Your body is in fast mode all night – hence the term ‘break fast’ – and a good breakfast will wake up that metabolism and fire it up for the day ahead. Studies show that eating a healthy brekkie could boost your metabolism by up to 10 per cent and that people who eat breakfast regularly are less likely to be obese or suffer from diabetes.

2. It gets your brain in gear
A brain without fuel is fairly useless. A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience looked at the effects of children skipping breakfast on their academic performance. The study found that regularly eating breakfast had beneficial effects on performance in the classroom and test scores. Hoping to crack through that long list of emails? Or ace that early morning meeting? Not on an empty tum you won’t.

3. It’s a good way to get your protein fix
Fill up and keep cravings at bay with a healthy brekkie. ‘Breakfast not only kick-starts your metabolism for the day (important for those who are wanting to lose weight) but eating a protein-based breakfast (eggs, nuts, fish) will also help to curb any mid-morning sugar cravings and set your blood sugar levels on a steady path for the rest of the day, giving you lasting energy,’ says nutritional therapist Stephanie Ridley (nourishtoflourish.com).

4. It’s a sign your health is taking a back seat
According to a study carried out by Helsinki University adults and teenagers who miss the first meal of the day are less likely to look after their health. And if you’re a parent it could be having a knock-on effect on your kids. The study showed that when parents skipped breakfast it led to their children doing the same thing.

5. It’ll chill you out
Hungry people are irritable people. According to a University of Cambridge study, serotonin (the ‘happy’ hormone) tends to fluctuates more when we’re hungry. And arriving at the office ready to bite someone’s head off is definitely not the best way to start your day. Fuel up first thing to make a better impression at that morning brainstorming sesh.

Don’t have time in the mornings? Or stuck for breakfast inspiration? Check out out *top 10 breakfasts* for ideas.