You Should Not Skip Breakfast, And Here’s Why

It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and a new study published by The Journal of Nutrition further supports this statement.

The report shows a link between regularly skipping breakfast and your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes – a chronic condition that causes the body to produce too little insulin or become insulin resistant. Type 2 diabetes affects millions of Americans every year, and millions more are at a high risk for developing it.

The study showed that people who skipped breakfast four to five days a week were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes – with an overall increased risk of 55 percent compared to those who ate breakfast regularly. This study was the first to show that even patients who didn’t have a high body mass index (BMI) had an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes if they did not eat breakfast.

So, what does this mean for you?

For starters, it’s important to include breakfast in your daily routine. In addition to helping you keep a healthy weight, researchers believe eating breakfast regulates appetite and leads to overall healthier eating habits. That’s because a healthy breakfast provides you with energy for the day ahead and keeps your metabolism in tiptop shape. A morning meal also helps replenish the blood sugar your body needs to get going. By skipping breakfast, you are most likely starting the day with low blood sugar, limiting brain and muscle function. And low blood sugar makes you hungry, so skipping meals often leads you to overeat later in the day. Instead of skipping meals, focus on eating smaller, nutritious meals starting in the morning and throughout the day to avoid hunger and binge eating.

Knowing your risk for diabetes

According to the CDC, one in three U.S. adults has prediabetes and is likely to develop Type 2 diabetes without even knowing it. That’s why it’s important to know your risk and begin taking appropriate steps to lower it, including making changes to your diet and level of physical activity. Preventing Type 2 diabetes is much easier, in terms of lifestyle and cost, than treating the disease.

UCF Health offers care for those with prediabetes and diabetes through its primary care services.

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Weekly Health Tips are brought to you by UCF Health, the College of Medicine’s physician practice. Offering primary and specialty care under one roof, UCF Health treats patients age 16 and up in primary care and age 18 and up for specialty care. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Two locations are now open: the original in East Orlando at Quadrangle and University boulevards just blocks from the main UCF campus, and the newest one in Medical City at Narcoossee Road and Tavistock Lakes Boulevard. Information for both facilities can be found at UCFHealth.com, or call (407) 266-DOCS to schedule an appointment.

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