Breakfast is best: your good health starts first thing in the morning

Getting out of bed in the morning can be a real challenge for many of us. We’ve all had those days when we’ve vehemently and repeatedly clicked the snooze button, willing the morning and the mad rush it brings away. And while this behavior might buy you a few extra minutes of shut-eye, it also leaves you ill-prepared for the day, with important rituals like breakfast cast aside in favour of precious seconds of slumber.

Unfortunately, that super-sized sleep isn’t doing you any favours when it comes to your energy levels, as it probably means you’re rushing out the door at break-neck speed, perhaps slugging a cup of coffee en route to the office but starving yourself of any significant sustenance.

You might roll your eyes, but there’s actually plenty of truth in that old adage about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. After all it’s your foundation for the day ahead, the last outpost of nutritional intake before you face the day. This is more important than ever during Ramadan, with Suhoor serving as your opportunity to acquire all the nutrients you need to remain alert, functional and fit throughout the daylight hours.

Still sceptical? Don’t be. Here are four reasons why you need to shake up your wake-up:

It helps your heart

Research shows that those who eat breakfast are 27% less likely to develop heart disease. So by shaving a few seconds off your sleep each day you’re buying yourself a whole lot more time further down the line.

It gives you an edge

By eating a healthy breakfast, you stabilize your glucose levels, allowing you to be more focused, agile and alert than your coffee-reliant colleagues.

It keeps you trim

Whilst the simple act of eating breakfast is unlikely to keep your weight down, you’re a whole lot less likely to reach for those unhealthy snacks come mid-morning if you’ve gotten off to a healthy start.

It gets you moving

Studies show that those who eat breakfast in the morning tend to be more physically active than those that don’t, thanks in large part to the additional energy provided by the morning meal.

BREAKFAST DOS AND DON’TS:

DO:

• Eat within two hours of waking up
• Consume between 20 and 35% of your daily calorie allowance in the morning
• Ensure your breakfast is comprised of low-GI grains and protein (like egg), which tend to keep you fuller for longer

DON’T:

• Think breakfast is the weight-loss silver bullet – you need to ensure you eat the right things and combine it with a healthy, active lifestyle
• Go carb crazy – keep the sugar to a minimum
• Make the mistake of thinking cereals like muesli are healthy – check on-pack nutritional information and watch out for added sugar before making your breakfast decisions.