Breakfast - Weight Loss Must Have
Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010
by Lisa Nelson
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
You've heard it before and you'll hear it again breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There's just no way around it.
I frequently hear "I don't have time for breakfast" and "I'm not hungry in the morning", neither reason negates the importance of eating breakfast every morning. Maybe it'll be easier to make breakfast a priority if you understand why it's so important.
Second, when you skip breakfast you'll frequently grab snacks mid-morning to tide you over until lunch. Usually, the snacks that tempt you are high in fat, sugar, and calories. A breakfast that includes a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber reduces these mid-morning cravings.
What's Going on Physically
Your body is primed and ready to go in the morning. Your metabolism is boosted and your hormones cortisol, adrenaline, and serotonin are highest first thing in the morning.
Cortisol
This hormone promotes the breakdown of fats which is a good thing; however, it also promotes the breakdown of muscle. It blocks muscle from taking in more amino acids and inhibits new muscle formation.
Adrenaline
Your fight or flight hormone increases your blood sugar to give your body immediate energy by breaking down glycogen in the liver and mobilizing amino acids stored in muscles. By the time morning rolls around, your glycogen levels are depleted. This means there's not a reserve glycogen supply and muscle breakdown begins.
Serotonin
Just to throw an extra hurdle into your morning routine, serotonin is at peak levels first thing in the morning. Serotonin reduces your appetite. There's a reason you don't feel hungry!
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