important breakfastIt seems the longer your to-do list gets, the harder it is to make yourself sit down to a healthy meal at the beginning of the day. We all have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet it's much easier to skip than dinner -- which is what you eat before collapsing at the end of a long day. But it's totally true!

Just in case you need a reminder as to why you should wake up and nourish your body, here are 10 reasons breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.

1. Because It's Been Way Too Long Since You've Last Eaten

If you miss breakfast, you could go up to 18 hours without putting anything in your body. That's unhealthy for everyone, but especially growing children.

2. Eating Breakfast Gives You Focus

You need a healthy breakfast for that energy burst that makes your brain work properly. Whether you're at work or taking a test, it's crucial that your thinker is fed.

3. If You Skip Breakfast, You'll Make Bad Choices

Not starting your day off right with a healthy, filling breakfast leads to bad decision making food-wise for the rest of the day. You're more likely to pick up unhealthy foods that you can get fast if you're in a state of semi-starvation.

4. Breakfast Kick Starts Your Metabolism

Eating breakfast is what gets your metabolism going for the day, and helps your body regulate your food intake -- and weight.

5. Because Breakfast Foods Are Awesome

What other time of day can you enjoy pancakes, bacon, muffins, or fantastic hot cereals? Breakfast foods are seriously the best of the day.

6. Breakfast Puts You in a Good Mood

Eating breakfast makes you less irritable. You need those blood glucose levels to even out, and your breakfast is the meal for that particular job. Healthy blood glucose levels mean you won't be so cranky.

7. Breakfast Sets the Tone for Your Day

Which is why you don't want to race out the door without anything in your stomach, past your family members, and not connecting. You're going to feel rushed and empty the rest of the day.

8. People Who Skip Breakfast Are More Likely to Be Overweight

See #3 and #4.

9. Because It's the Best Time of Day to Drink Coffee

If you indulge in coffee or other caffeinated drinks any time other than the morning, you risk not getting enough sleep due to an interrupted sleep cycle. So use breakfast as your excuse to enjoy those lattes and cappuccinos.

10. Breakfast Food Is Inexpensive

Unlike a steak dinner, breakfast foods cost much less than other meals of the day. So eat up without worrying about your pocketbook!

Do you ever skip breakfast?

 

Image via Cillian Storm/Flickr