Wagner's Big Red Phys Ed

Healthy Breakfast

by:Quinn Sherer

When the morning alarm sounds to get up and get ready for school many children do not spend there time to eat a healthy breakfast or even eat breakfast at all. In a study 8 to 12 percent of elementary and middle school students skip breakfast. About 20 to 30 percent of high school student skip breakfast. Many children think that skipping breakfast is better for you but when you look at the health of students who do eat breakfast and of those who do not there is a big difference.
In 2008 Pediatrics journal did a study and found that found that teens who ate breakfast daily had a lower body mass than teens who skip breakfast or only eat on occasion. It was also proved that skipping breakfast would help gain weight instead of doing the opposite. The reason for this is that many of kids will skip breakfast and have a very small lunch at school. When returning home the kids do not stop eating. This may seem unusual though but according to Dr. Schneider kids who have eaten more calories, fiber, and cholesterol in their diets also eat less saturated and trans fats in their diets. Making their diet healthier than those who do not eat breakfast.
Eating a healthy breakfast every morning do not just help with weight loss it also helps with metabolism, because it keeps it from slugging and it burns calories when u metabolize. Breakfast also help increase energy throughout the day making them higher when you do eat breakfast. Research has also shown that kids who eat breakfast have better concentration, memory and problem-solving skills then those who do not eat. Also has been proven that if you eat a healthy breakfast you get a more nutritionally complete diet, higher in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Eating breakfast also can help with more strength and endurance to engage in physical activity during they day. Eating breakfast does not just mean you will start to see these benefits, the breakfast has to be a well balanced meal. Eating a breakfast filled with sugar can cause your blood sugar levels to go up and down and can cause carbohydrate cravings. If you eat a low sugar breakfast your blood sugar levels stay stable until lunch not giving you the craving for carbs at lunch.
If you find yourself always in a rush there is always small, healthy breakfast foods that do give you the same benefits. These quick and easy breakfasts should consist of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Some examples are oatmeal with fresh fruit and whole grain toast. Whole grain waffles or pancakes and turkey sausage or bacon. If you are unable to have time to eat food drink a smoothie made up of fresh fruit, low-fat milk or juice, yogurt, and a scoop of protein powder. These are small easy to make meals for kids who have trouble eating breakfast in the morning.
As you can see breakfast literally means to “break the fast”, it is important that you do that every morning to help you make right food choices throughout the day and even to watch your health in the near future.