Time management and the benefits of eating breakfast
During college I practiced what most nutritionists might call “a terribly ugly and horrific eating plan.” My nutrition was garbage. Like a lot of students I’d be out until the wee hours of the morning and by the time I woke up the next day, I barely had enough time to put pants on, let alone enough prepare and eat a healthy breakfast before I had to be to my first class.
The benefits of eating a healthy breakfast are many:
- Breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism
- Breakfast helps curb cravings
- Breakfast will help you focus throughout the day
- Breakfast can be an opportunity to build family relationships
- Breakfast can help you lose weight
- Breakfast makes you more awesome
Most of us understand how eating a healthy breakfast can help us feel better, lose weight, and improve focus, but that doesn’t mean we magically have the time to make breakfast a habit. As much as some of us love our sleep, we almost have to force feed ourselves that first meal of the day. It can be a hassle for sure.
Going back to my college days, I understood all of the benefits of breakfast, but I hadn’t experienced them for myself yet. I wanted to keep my weight in check so I could improve my chances with the ladies, so I started working out in the morning before classes. That meant that I was actually getting even less sleep than before. I’d run straight from the gym, shower, and then grab my things and head to class, never eating a morsel in the process. I’d go to my classes and it was all I could do to stay awake. There were plenty of occasions when Biology became a mandatory AM nap.
Of course the grades started to slip and I knew I had to change something and change it quick. I was talking with a friend about the complete lack of energy even though I was exercising and eating pretty well. During the chat he asked me what I ate for breakfast on any given day. My response was “uhhhhh…”
*Light Bulb*
It finally clicked. I realized that the first small change I needed to make to boost my energy was to simply eat breakfast. I started simple by eating a bowl of cereal every day. Nowadays, even though cereal is still my go-to breakfast, I like cooking new and exciting things. I never spend more than 10 minutes prepping a breakfast because time is still pretty tight, but I like to try new things when I get a chance.
The change it made in me was night and day. I was so much more alert in class. My nutrition at other meals was a lot more on point, and I found that I actually enjoyed the time just sitting and not thinking about anything before I headed to campus to rack my brain for the rest of the day. Even now, nearly ten years later, I still won’t miss the first meal of the day.
Whether you use breakfast to lose weight, boost your energy, spend time with family, or even just get your mind off the hustle and bustle, be sure you know what your purpose is for making breakfast a priority. Understanding your purpose behind eating breakfast will help you make it part of your every day life.
What’s your purpose for eating breakfast? What’s your go to breakfast?
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Jul 14, 2011 @ 04:56:25
LOVE the point about bfast being another opportunity in the day to build family relationships. So true! Usually we think only dinner is when a family would sit around the table to eat.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 05:21:35
Breakfast is often our big family meal too! And usually the biggest meal as well. I think I lose cooking steam as the day goes on:) I’m a huge fan of breakfast!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 05:59:37
I’ve been eating breakfast long enough that I think I would die without it! My breakfast used to be good some days and crappy others (Lucky Charms), but I’ve switched to Shakeology every day and it seems to be helping!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 06:55:06
Breakfast is important to me because if I don’t eat a good breakfast before work, I become ravenous at lunch. It becomes very tempting to eat out, and eat unhealthy. If I eat a good breakfast I tend to eat healthy the whole day.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 09:52:29
I love that eating breakfast makes me even more awesome! That’s a side benefit I hadn’t realized
My go to breakfast when I’m not feeling it is actually a smoothie or fruit. It helps ease my stomach into the day. But I mix breakfast up based on how I feel. Some days it is more carbs like cereal, others homemade sausage and roasted vegetables.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 10:20:24
LOVE breakfast! I was one that did not eat it when I was younger. BOY, once you start eating it, it really shows you how much a difference eating a healthy breakfast does for you. Eat something that has protein/complex carbs/healthy fat. My mind worked so much better once I started eating breakfast. I understand that some don’t feel like it right when you get up but at least prepare something before hand to take with you & eat an hour or two afterward so you don’t drop like dead weight & the the mind turns to junk instead.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 13:50:35
Great article Ryan. I’m a big believer in eating breakfast everyday. I usually start the day with the IdealShape shake or a smoothie but also love to have eggs and bacon (sorry).
Jul 14, 2011 @ 22:12:36
I like the idea of using breakfast as a family gathering time!
Jul 15, 2011 @ 08:04:55
I eat breakfast every morning.
I cook breakfast while I’m in the shower… Well not actually IN the shower like Kramer, but I’ve mastered the art of cooking my eggs on low heat and timing it so they’re almost done when I get out. This involves some running around naked in the house, but it’s also a great way to dry off.
If I don’t have time to make something in the morning, I’ve got some heavy duty protein (Myoplex) that I take to tide me over until I get some real food in to my belly.
It’s important to make sure you get SOMETHING in your belly and preferably something heavy on the protein.
Great post, Ryan!
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