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The Communicator

The Communicator

The Importance of Eating Breakfast

The+Importance+of+Eating+Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is an age-old belief many teens have grown up with. But is it true? Why is breakfast so important in a teenager’s life? Sandy Pernecky, a lecturer in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at Eastern Michigan University and a dietitian, explains that while the importance of breakfast depends on an individual, the case can be made that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. “Research has shown that breakfast eaters’ diets, in general, contain less fat and cholesterol and more calcium, fiber, iron, protein and B vitamins when compared against those who skip breakfast,” Pernecky said.

Breakfast has measurable benefits concerning both mental and physical health in teens. “Those who eat breakfast tend to do better in school, have fewer discipline problems, are better able to pay attention and perform problem-solving tasks and are less likely to be overweight,” said Pernecky.  According to the Food Research and Action Center, “Students who eat school breakfast increase their math and reading scores as well as improve their speed and memory in cognitive tests.”

Still, a large number of teens don’t eat breakfast in the morning.  According to William Cochran, M.D., and Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics on healthychildren.org, as many as 20-30% of teenagers have completely cut breakfast out of their routines.  The top four reasons for this are, “I’m not hungry in the morning.  I don’t have enough time in the morning.  I’ll gain weight.  I don’t like breakfast food,” said Pernecky.

In a society where the beauty standard calls for a thin figure, many teens are under the impression that skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight.  However, this is not true.  “Skipping breakfast has shown to to lead to overeating at the next meal.  Eating breakfast can help with reducing impulsive overeating,” explains Pernecky.

It’s hard to generalize what teens should be eating for breakfast, because people come in all shapes and sizes and everybody has different preferences for food. However, in general, it is preferable to have a breakfast including some protein and carbohydrate.  Examples include milk and cereal, peanut butter with toast, and eggs with a bagel.

Community High School is doing its part to get teens the breakfast they need. Lanette Reid, CHS staff member responsible for serving students food, says, “We are really striving right now to give you more of a selection,” as the program works to expand.  Reid hopes to add hot lunch such as pizza.  She also pointed out that, although CHS is an alternative school and many students purchase their food from nearby businesses, this can be very expensive.  The program is also able to assist with free and reduced price meals. As of now, free and reduced breakfast choices consist of bagels, milk, cheese sticks, juice, cereal, and apples.  Lunches include salads and sandwiches.

In conclusion, breakfast is good. Eat it.


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The Importance of Eating Breakfast