Plan 2: A Good Breakfast

Plan 2: A Good Breakfast

What did you have for breakfast this morning? If it is a little more than a cup of tea and biscuits or a glass of milk, you need to read this article.

Throughout her school years, all Amita would have for breakfast was a quick glass of milk, which she would gulp down as her mother handed it to her on her way out of the door.

Around 15 years after she left school, had shifted to another city and was driving home from work, she fainted in the car. She regained consciousness a few minutes later, and called her friend from her cell phone, who immediately rushed her home, tucked her in bed and called the doctor.

The reason for her dizzy spell? Insufficient breakfast.

Ever since Amita had left home and started living on her own, she started skipping breakfast. She would have a glass of milk or juice every now and again, or would just not have anything and then have a cup of tea in office at around 11:30.

Her skipping breakfast caused her blood sugar to drop, leading to feelings of weakness and dizzy spells. And one fine day, her body just let go.

Heart Attack

Statistics show that the maximum number of heart attacks occur in the morning, sometime before noon. This is because blood clotting cells in the morning are stickier before breakfast, and the longer you go without breakfast, the higher your chances of having a heart attack. In fact, a study performed by Belloc & Breslow show that people who eat a wholesome breakfast have less than half the risk of early death.

Amita never was in the habit of eating a heavy breakfast, so just skipping a glass of milk didn't really sound like a big deal to her. But naturally, if she skipped lunch she wasn't going to like it.

Everything starts from home. If you are in the habit of ensuring that your children and you eat a wholesome breakfast every morning, chances that they will grow up and start skipping breakfast or not paying much attention to ensure that their children have a wholesome breakfast - are slim.

Memory

Children who wake up at the same time every morning, and eat a healthy breakfast, are more likely to be more physically active, have better reflexes, and have a sharper memory than those who don't have breakfast.

Metabolism

Eating a heavy breakfast increases your metabolism, so you will burn calories at a faster rate.

Fatigue

It also reduces fatigue and gives you renewed energy - which is badly needed by children, to help them cope with school, homework and play, and by parents, to help them handle their busy lifestyle.

Immunity

Breakfast boosts immunity and improves your long-term health.

Bowel Movement

In addition, breakfast helps regulate your bowels, which not only improves your overall health, but it also gives you a flatter stomach!

Fruits, whole wheat bread (no white bread), cereal, juice and egg white omlettes made in olive oil, yogurt, buttermilk, are all healthy breakfast choices. Eating a good amount of all this the first thing in the morning, will help improve your choices later on in the day as well. It sets the tone for a good beginning.

Children learn from their parents, so if you want your children to better their eating habits and to reap the benefits of good health for a lifetime, incorporate a good, wholesome breakfast in your family's daily routine.

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