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Our mothers were right, breakfast is the most important meal. There are many Mom-reasons such as getting off to a good start and making you smart. The “other” experts have found that adults who eat breakfast are 50% less likely to be obese compared to those who skip breakfast. That’s because when you eat breakfast:
- your metabolism increases 2-3%
- you tend to snack less
- you’re not eating more at lunch and supper to make up for a missed breakfast
- you’re more alert
- you have less difficulty getting to sleep at night and waking up in the morning
We also know that children who eat a good breakfast are able to:
- concentrate better
- work faster
- make fewer mistakes
- be more creative
- score higher on tests
For those of you who argue that you don’t have time, breakfast doesn’t have to be an elaborate or time- consuming meal. Something as simple as a bowl of nutritious cereal (see this month’s FYI) with skim or 1% milk and a glass of juice will do nicely. Or keep a supply of bran muffins (this month’s recipe) in your freezer for a “breakfast-on-the -go”.
Breakfast doesn’t have to be traditional. A slice of leftover cheese pizza as well as a grilled cheese or PB&J sandwich, for example, are nutritious choices. Carnation instant breakfast or yogurt smoothies, such as Dannon Lite & Fit Smoothies (for a homemade version, see this month’s ingredient substitution) are drinkable alternatives for breakfast.
Any way you slice it, breakfast is a “must have” meal for the entire family , Mom, as always, was right.
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