Breakfast for Weight Loss

Most nutritionists will tout the benefits of having a healthy breakfast, especially when it comes to weight management. The main argument against skipping breakfast is that it makes you much more hungrier at the next meal. Avoiding breakfast also tends to slow your metabolism down. A study from the Dietetic Association suggested that the old cereal and milk option for breakfast was better than most breakfasts because "a breakfast that did not include cereal frequently would be higher in fat content."

That is probably true. But I personally see too many people that rely on this old standby and still get into trouble. People may need more than a small bowl of cereal and milk to adequately hold them over and function better. This kind of breakfast could simply consist of too many simple carbohydrates which could lead to a blood sugar drop by mid morning.

To prevent this I would also suggest a small amount of lean protein (less than three grams of fat per ounce) and maybe even a small amount of healthy fat (a few nuts) to prevent blood sugar swings. Ideally the cereal should be whole grain cereal with at least 3-4 grams of heart healthy fiber which also helps blood sugar dips and keeps you satisfied longer. I would encourage a smaller bowl of cereal and have a serving of real fruit (instead of juice).

So yes, please eat a healthy breakfast but make it more than just a highly processed grain cereal and balance the meal out. Don’t depend on a huge bowl of cornflakes and milk to get you through the day.