Why You Should Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight

When we're trying to lose weight, it seems much easier to lay off a few additional calories by skipping breakfast. The old adage about starting the day out right, however, is just as relevant for weight loss as it is about getting the boost of energy that comes with it. I've heard many people say that they just don't like to or cant eat before a certain point in the morning, but there are many reasons why eating at least a small snack in the a.m. can be advantageous to your pound-shedding efforts.

Eating boosts your metabolism.

Metabolism? You know, that thing that started crapping out on us all once we graduated high school? Believe it or not, we have some amount of control over it. There are a few things that boost our metabolism and allow us to burn more calories overall. Most of us recognize exercise as that magical metabolism-enhancer. Eating, though, is also a way for us to get the engine going. When you go long periods without eating, your body falls into survival mode, conserving those calories and fat for dear life. Eating a small, light breakfast will get the ball rolling and continue it throughout the day.

Breakfast prevents you from overeating at lunch.

We've all experienced our eyes being far too large for our stomachs. When we're hungry, we eat. When we're really hungry, we overeat, and probably then some. Going without eating for long stretches of time drops our blood sugar levels, and our body's natural response to this drop is to become hungrier. For those of us who suffer of naturally low blood sugar levels (dubbed Hypoglycemia), this hunger manifests itself more like an irritable, ravenous beast more appropriate for the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At this point, any and everything is fair game if it's in front of you.

Eating a healthy breakfast will help you regulate hunger and energy.

As mentioned, not eating drops blood sugar and makes you hungry. In particular, however, it makes you hungry for sugar. When you eat refined sugar, your blood sugar then spikes... and drops again. As you can see, this is a really messy cycle that ends in a junk food binge. By eating a healthy breakfast that is packed with good carbs (read: not refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup), fiber, and protein, your body will not only feel full longer-you will have more energy, and less cravings for the sugar that would supplement it otherwise.

So what is an appropriate breakfast? Whole-wheat and whole grain carbohydrates, fresh fruits chocked with antioxidants, proteins, and healthy fats. I've found that one piece of whole wheat toast with almond butter, fresh raspberries (or defrosted frozen work great as a no-sugar-added jam), and a hard-boiled egg is a fantastic breakfast that is flavorful and ties that hungry she-beast over until lunchtime. The possibilities are endless, however, and your weight-loss goals perfectly attainable with the right planning-and a healthy breakfast.