A new study has reinforced the importance of breakfast, finding that eating a nutritious morning meal helps people make healthier food choices throughout the day and boosts their intake of essential nutrients.
Researchers from the University of Texas presented the findings at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, concluding that breakfast plays a key role in improving overall diet quality.
The study involved 128 young adults who regularly skipped breakfast. Participants were divided into three groups.
One group continued to skip breakfast, the second consumed a breakfast containing 15 grams of protein, while the third ate a breakfast with 30 grams of protein. Participants were then allowed to eat whatever they wished for the rest of the day.
Although all three groups consumed a similar number of calories around 2,300 calories on average the researchers found notable differences in the quality of their diets.
Participants who ate breakfast consumed higher amounts of important nutrients, including fibre, iron, zinc and choline, compared with those who skipped the meal.
In contrast, individuals who did not eat breakfast were more likely to choose less nutritious foods and had lower intakes of essential nutrients such as fibre, iron and zinc.
The study also found that participants who consumed a 30-gram protein breakfast had higher overall protein, iron and choline intake throughout the day than those whose breakfast contained 15 grams of protein.
In addition, both breakfast groups consumed fewer sugary foods over the course of the day. Researchers noted that reducing the intake of foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats may help lower the risk of developing several chronic diseases.
The findings suggest that starting the day with a balanced, protein-rich breakfast can contribute to healthier eating habits and improved nutritional intake over the course of the day.
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