Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

It’s a statement most of us just assume to be true: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But have you ever stopped asked why?! Why exactly is breakfast always at the top of the meal hierarchy? Is the world going to come to a screeching halt you skip breakfast? Is it so wrong to give lunch a little bit more love?

Let’s start with the basics of breakfast. The purpose of the day’s first meal is to break your overnight fast. Mind blown? Dietician Sarah Elder explains that the body uses a lot of stored up energy for growth and repair through the night. Eating a balanced breakfast helps up our energy, as well as protein and calcium, that our body used while we were snoozing. 

When tracking your macros, breakfast is a great opportunity to stock up on protein. We’re talking all the eggs, greek yogurt, sausage, the good stuff. Most people get their protein fix at dinner, but the body can only use so much protein at once. If you’re getting most of your protein at the end of the day, some of it will go to waste. Breakfast is an awesome way to spread out your protein intake over the course of the day, which will allow your body to more efficiently utilize said protein. 

Studies have also found that a protein-packed breakfast will help you feel full for a longer period of time. And who wouldn’t want that? Another major benefit of breakfast is that there can be a ton of variety on your plate. It’s the only meal that can be savory OR sweet OR both. And we’ll pretty take any excuse to eat Kodiak cakes. Plus, breakfast also involves coffee, and coffee is very, very important. 

There are A LOT of myths about breakfast. Some people think the food industry bolstered breakfast’s importance to sell cereal. There’s research that shows obesity is linked to skipping breakfast. Other people won’t stop talking about how much they love intermittent fasting. But it really comes down to what works best for you. 

We believe that the simplest truth about breakfast is this: it sets the tone for your day. It is an opportunity to eat intentionally and properly fuel your body. Having a regular breakfast routine can help you establish other good-for-you habits, like meditating and exercising. A proper breakfast (and coffee, always coffee) will fuel your body and prep your mind for a good day!