(RxWiki News) You’ve probably heard the news that breakfast is good for you, but maybe you don’t know why. The answer is real simple – skipping breakfast is linked to weight gain and obesity.
Finding the time to make breakfast every morning can be a challenge. It is important that you find the time if you’re interested in reaching and maintaining your ideal weight. Researchers from the University of Missouri have found that eating breakfast reduces hunger and helps you control your appetite throughout the day.
"Eat a high-protein breakfast to control your appetite and feel better."
Heather Lediy from the University of Missouri Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology performed a study on “breakfast-skipping teens” for three weeks. The volunteers were separated into three groups: teens who continued to skip breakfast, those who ate 500 calorie breakfasts, and teens who ate high-protein breakfast in the form of enriched Belgian waffles.
Researchers measured appetite sensation and hormonal markers and psychological reward-driven motivation by using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Leidy and colleagues found that both teen groups who ate breakfast showed less activation in the region of the brain controlling food motivation and reward, which led to less snacking.
The findings for the high-protein breakfast were even more significant because it changed appetite, feeling full, and reward-driven eating behaviors when compared to the 500 calorie breakfast.
Getting children and teens in the habit of eating a good breakfast could go a long way in fighting obesity in young people. It is a simple way to start a healthy eating lifestyle.
