Eating breakfast increases brain chemical, reduces food cravings and overeating later in the day

April 30, 2019
Healthcaretoday, Breakfast, sweet foods, sugar cravings, high fiber foods, Healthy breakfast, Nutrition, Sustained energy, Balanced diet, Protein power, Healthy carbs, Blood sugar control, Craving control, Wellness, Eat smart,
People experience a dramatic decline in cravings for sweet foods when they eat breakfast.
The foods you eat for breakfast can affect how you feel and perform throughout your morning.

Susan Bowerman Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training director pointed out that there are several things that a good breakfast can do such as keeping you fueled up until the next meal.

“Foods with protein help to satisfy hunger and high fiber foods help to fill you up. It also supplies the body and brain with energy. In the morning, your body’s gas tank is running close to empty. When you eat the right foods for breakfast, you’re providing your muscles and brain with the fuel they need for optimal performance.”

“It helps avoid blood sugar swings and reduce cravings. A balanced meal that contains both protein and healthy carbohydrates can provide sustained energy throughout your system, and help prevent wild swings in your blood sugar that trigger cravings for sweets or other unhealthy foods.”

“You would also be able to make better food choices throughout the day. Breakfast skippers often experience food cravings for sweets and fats that can persist throughout the day. When breakfast is eaten, the cravings for sweets drop dramatically. If the breakfast is high in protein, it tends to also reduce cravings for salty, fatty foods. So, the right foods in the morning can help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods later in the day and steer you towards healthier choices.”

In addition to these, it provides enough protein to help support muscle health. Eating enough protein in the morning not only helps satisfy hunger, it can also help maintain muscle health. For many people, typical daily meals tend to provide little protein at breakfast, a bit more at lunch and a much larger amount at dinner. This is a pattern that may not provide the best conditions for building and repairing muscle tissue. Muscle protein synthesis can improve when protein intake is more evenly distributed throughout the day.

10 healthy breakfast ideas to jump start the day
​A balanced breakfast should provide you with a decent amount of protein (20-30 grams is a good target). This helps satisfy hunger and supports muscle health and along with some healthy carbohydrates can provide sustained energy and fiber. Carbohydrates should include at the very least, some fruits or vegetables.

Here are 10 healthy breakfast suggestions:
1. Cook some fresh or frozen spinach in the microwave, top with scrambled eggs or egg whites and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, fresh fruits on the side.

2. Protein shake made with protein powder, low-fat milk or soy milk and fruit.

3. Plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese topped with fresh fruit and cinnamon, or chopped raw vegetables and some fresh black pepper.

4. Rolled oats prepared with milk or soy milk; stir in protein powder and fruit after cooking.

5. Corn tortillas, heated and spread with black beans; top with grated low-fat cheese and salsa and fresh fruits.

6. Whole grain toast spread with avocado and topped with slices of turkey breast and fresh fruits.

7. Scramble extra-firm tofu, drained, crumbled in a little olive oil with fresh vegetables and herbs and fresh fruits.

8. Whole grain crackers spread with nonfat ricotta cheese and topped with sliced berries.

9. Salmon patty on a toasted whole-grain English muffin and fresh fruits.

10. Leftovers: whole grains, protein and veggies make a great breakfast. 

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