Hectic schedules might cause students to make a crucial mistake in the morning, skipping breakfast. Although it may not be the most important meal of the day, research shows it can make you more alert. Making smart breakfast choices can also affect your mood.
“Is breakfast more important than lunch or dinner? No, each meal is important and provides
energy to fuel you throughout the day,” said Jessica Johnson, a registered dietitian at Georgia State’s school of Nursing and Health Professionals. “By eating breakfast, you will prevent becoming overly hungry later in the day, which can lead topoor choices.”
A concern for some students is taking the time to eat a healthy breakfast. A busy college schedule
might prove to be a challenge to some.
“Another [myth] is that eating a healthy breakfast takes too long— not true,” Johnson said. “A
bowl of whole grain cereal, low-fat milk, and fruit takes maybe a minute to prepare. There are many“
healthy convenience foods on the market to help make breakfast quick, whole grain waffles, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, cottage cheese and whole grain bagels are just a few.”
She also warned of students trying to cut calories by missing the first meal of the day.
“As far as myths are concerned, I’ve heard that skipping breakfast will help you lose weight,” Johnson said. “In actuality, many end up overly hungry and binge on unhealthy convenience foods.”
Johnson said eating a healthy breakfast means you are more likely to eat well throughout the day
as well. She suggests lean proteins like eggs, fresh fruit and dairy choices for a balance start.
A Chinese study found that what you eat for breakfast can affect how long you are awake and
even you mood and alertness.
The study, published in Health magazine in 2011, looked at male undergraduate students that ate a protein-rich breakfast against those who primarily ate carbohydrates and discovered that there is a difference.
For the students that ate a high protein breakfast, glucose levels in the body stayed at a steady rate while the carb heavy breakfast eaters endured a high spike in glucose and a crash fterwards.
Both types of breakfast had positive effects on mood and alertness in the students tested. How-
ever, a high protein start to the day yielded more positive results.
“Our present findings demonstrate the relationship between [high protein] breakfast and mood, alertness and attention,” the study concluded. “This study indicated that [high protein] breakfast
may enhance human performance probably by increasing the thermic effect of a food and elevating body temperature.”
Something as simple as a Greek yogurt or an egg can affect a student for the rest of the day.
Correction: In the original report of this story Jessica Johnson was inaccurately referred to as “Jennifer” and was called a nutritionist when in fact she is a registered dietitian.
