Breakfast. You eat it every day. Or you don’t and skip food until later in the day. Whether it is your favorite meal of the day or you skip it altogether, there’s good news for you. Keep reading to find out why.
Different food items come to mind when people think of that first meal of the day. It may be the whole full-tilt-boogie bacon and eggs and pancakes. Or a side of toast or biscuits. Or it may be a helping of hot oatmeal or cold cereal and milk. A burrito? A fruit and protein smoothie? A donut or muffin at your favorite coffee house?
You may regularly eat a light early meal at home, but when you go out, you splurge, ramping up the choices and calories. Or, you may grab a piece of toast, spread it with a chocolate and hazelnut spread, plop it on a paper towel, and munch as you commute.
A Brief History of Breakfast
Breakfast has become such an ingrained part of our daily lives that it’s easy to assume it’s always been a beloved meal.
Contrary to popular belief, morning meals do not adhere to a set standard. During the medieval era in Europe, early meals were primarily a necessity for individuals who engaged in early morning labor or for the elderly and frail population. These groups required sustenance to sustain their activities or maintain their health. Most people did not eat breakfast.
In the 13th century, the renowned theologian Thomas Aquinas believed that eating early in the day was a sin. Eating before the morning mass was frowned upon since fasting was a spiritual practice. People fasted until after going to early mass. The term “breakfast” literally refers to breaking one’s fast after a period of abstaining from food.
The morning meal, as we think of it, appeared in England under the Tudors. With the shift from self-employment to working for an employer, individuals lost autonomy over their time. This transition necessitated long, continuous workdays without provisions for sustenance.
The practice of consuming a substantial morning meal, which originated during the Industrial Revolution with the transition from agrarian to factory labor, became solidified and has now become a standard routine for most individuals. A large early meal facilitated the ability to work extended hours.
Benefits of Eating Breakfast
![Breakfast smoothie with berries and banana](https://totalapexentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/smoothiedenis-tuksar-hsTwPUzFegQ-unsplash-scaled.jpeg)
Eating breakfast kick off your day with essential nutrients, providing energy and nourishment. Many individuals believe that this meal can aid in weight loss. In actuality, there’s not substantial evidence to support breakfast as a healthy habit.
The food you eat at that first meal counts as part of your total daily nutrition. Your food intake kick-starts your metabolism, getting you ready for the day’s activities. That’s if you eat appropriately. A big, heavy meal at the start of the day can make you feel just as lethargic as a large lunch or whopping dinner.
Here are some ideas for nutritious items to start your day.
- eggs
- oatmeal
- Greek yogurt
- berries
- whole-grain toast
- chia seeds
- cottage cheese
- avocado
- Nuts
And you may want that morning cup of coffee or tea.
What If You Skip That First Meal?
Because breakfast is part of your total daily nutrition intake, if you consume a healthy food intake for the rest of the day, skipping breakfast isn’t necessarily unhealthy.
You might start later with a mid-morning snack, then have a healthy meal at lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and even an evening snack. What’s important is to meet your daily nutrition needs each day.
While skipping breakfast may be okay for most people if they meet their nutrition needs, people with health conditions may want to consider eating breakfast. A morning without breakfast can cause blood sugar spikes when eating later in the day. And for some people, the practice disrupts their daily circadian rhythms.
The most important consideration for breakfast is maintaining your health. Eat breakfast and start your nutrition early in the day. Skip that first meal and begin your daily nutrition later. Keep your nutrition in balance.
What about you? A breakfast eater or a breakfast skipper? What’s your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments.
About the Author
Zara Altair is a writer and author of historical mysteries set in 6th Century Italy. She is passionate about books, film, film history, and sharing her knowledge with others. Engage with Zara, her educational insights, and her tips for fellow writers by following her on X(Twitter) and Threads.