Many of us have been told since we were children that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Truth is, it’s not a myth. Eating within an hour of waking “breaks the fast” (ie. break-fast) and helps our body to wake up and get ready for the day.
In order to tackle our daily tasks, we must first fuel our brains and provide our bodies with substantial energy to thrive during the day. Eating meals and snacks throughout the day not only provides us with structure but also assists in the recovery process by helping our body get used to adequate nutrition again.
Fasting at Night
What does “breaking the fast” really mean? Well, during the night our bodies are in a fasted state which means that bodily processes slow down to rest. This includes our breathing, our heart rate, and digestion. Upon awakening, our bodies seek energy primarily in the form of carbohydrates which are utilized to supply fuel to our brains. Further, the digestive tract begins its’ natural rhythm as it knows that food is on its way.
Why is Breakfast Important
Eating breakfast also helps to set up our appetite. A large piece of eating disorder recovery is re-learning our hunger and fullness cues. People who do not eat breakfast will often notice increased feelings of fatigue and brain fog as the day goes on. The cycle perpetuates itself, often impacting our cognition and our ability to learn.
Nutrition supports growth and bodily functions. For example, during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, nutrition supports cognitive development and growth. During the later years, nutrition helps to maintain strong immunity and cognitive performance.
Breakfast and Academic Performance
Many studies illustrate the connection between eating a nutrient-dense breakfast to increased academic performance and sustained energy. Eating breakfast also enhances concentration, memory, and alertness. It provides us with the brain power to critically think and reason during problem-solving. Consuming regular meals and snacks helps in meeting nutrient and energy needs which facilitates the development of normalized eating patterns.
Breakfast in Eating Disorder Recovery
Consuming breakfast is one of the first nutrition goals when working with our dietitians to overcome an eating disorder. Early on in eating disorder recovery, we focus on eating breakfast and other meals by using mechanical eating. Committing to this helps by providing us with structure in our day and encourages a routine to plan, prepare and prioritize meals.
How We Can Help
Book a free consultation call today to learn more about how our dietitians can help create a meal plan for eating disorder recovery.
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