The Benefits of Breakfast
- Breakfast may help give that brain a boost!
A growing body of evidence suggests that breakfast consumption may have a positive impact on cognitive and academic performance, including memory, concentration, and problem solving skills, although it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions(1). Multiple research studies have consistently shown improved attendance and tardiness rates among children who participate in a school breakfast program. - Breakfast may help to manage weight.
Self-reports of eating breakfast have been associated with lower BMI in several, but not all studies(2-4) and overall data is inconclusive regarding the role of breakfast in weight management. According to the National Weight Control Registry, eating breakfast is a common practice for successful weight losers and maintainers. Almost 8 out of 10 adults who have lost 30 or more pounds and have maintained that loss for over two years eat breakfast(5-6)! - Breakfast helps build the body.
Research shows that regular breakfast consumption is associated with better nutrition among children and adolescents. Kids and adults who eat breakfast get more vitamins A, C, calcium, fiber, zinc and iron than people who skip breakfast(1). - Breakfast helps jump start your day.
Just like a car needs gas after a long trip, the body needs refueling after a night's sleep. Get your family going with the right fuel – a healthy breakfast. Including a glass of orange juice is a perfect complement to a healthy breakfast.
(1) Rampersaud (2009) Benefits of breakfast for children and adolescents: update and recommendations for practitioners. Am J Lifestyle Med 3:86-103.
(2) Affenito et al (2005) Breakfast consumption by African-American and white adolescent girls correlates positively with calcium and fiber intake and negatively with body mass index. J Am Diet Assoc. 105(6):938-45.
(3) Ruxton et al (1997) Breakfast: a review of associations with measures of dietary intake, physiology and biochemistry. Br J Nutr. 78(2):199-213.
(4) Ma et al (2003) Association between eating patterns and obesity in a free-living US adult population. Am J Epidemiol. 158(1):85-92.
(5) Hill et al (2005) The National Weight Control Registry: is it useful in helping deal with our obesity epidemic? J Nutr Educ Behav. 37(4):206-10.
(6) Wing et al (2005) Long-term weight loss maintenance Am J Clin Nutr. 82(1 Suppl):222S-225S.