Popular thought in the past used to include skipping meals as an effective way to lose weight. However, this strategy usually backfired as people ate voraciously at subsequent meal times. Science has proven that eating a healthy breakfast is one of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off. As you enter your 50s and beyond, look at the benefits to eating breakfast so that you can prioritize it each day.
Energy After the Fast
The term "breakfast" comes from the concept of breaking an overnight fast. You've slept for six or eight hours, and now it's time to start the day. The body doesn't have any energy at this point. It requires food to jump start your metabolism. By eating within the first, two hours of waking up, you're offering the body key nutrients. You won't feel hungry until well into the late-morning hours, which keeps your weight under control.
Blood-Sugar Control
Unless you have diabetes, being aware of your blood-sugar levels isn't a daily concern. You probably feel the differences as you move from a satisfied sensation to a craving for a favorite food during the day, however. By eating breakfast, you're leveling out your blood-sugar levels. The body feels stabilized as it uses the breakfast energy. When you skip breakfast, the body is suddenly destabilized. You'll crave every fatty and sugary food around you because the body is simply seeking out homeostasis. As a result, you'll probably eat a snack or meal that's high in calories with weight gain on the horizon.
Better Food Choices
Researchers have discovered that people who eat a balanced breakfast will make better food decisions for the rest of the day. These decisions are based on steady, blood-sugar levels. You don't feel deprived of any nutrients so cravings are kept largely at bay. The result of these behaviors is food selections full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fatty and calorie-laden foods are ignored for the most part.
Feeling Fuller For Longer
When you choose foods that are high in fiber or protein, your body needs time to digest those items. Because the digestive system is busy working on those foods, you'll feel fuller for a longer time period. Eating foods that are full of empty calories, such as pancakes with syrup, will only leave you hungry a few hours later. Eggs, oatmeal and vegetables are better choices.
Making the Time
Because you're entering your retirement years, there should be some extra time for a real breakfast each day. Pick out healthy items, such as eggs and whole-grain toast, so that you have enough calories to make it to lunch. Oatmeal is another option that many people enjoy. Ideally, pick foods that require some chewing so that the process takes some time to digest. You'll feel more satisfied afterward.
Keep ample fruits, cereals and oatmeal in the house so that you aren't tempted to skip breakfast. Filling a bowl of cereal, fruit and milk takes only a few minutes. It's possible to make and eat your breakfast in less than 10 minutes. This small commitment works wonders on your body as weight remains controlled through the retirement years.
Energy After the Fast
The term "breakfast" comes from the concept of breaking an overnight fast. You've slept for six or eight hours, and now it's time to start the day. The body doesn't have any energy at this point. It requires food to jump start your metabolism. By eating within the first, two hours of waking up, you're offering the body key nutrients. You won't feel hungry until well into the late-morning hours, which keeps your weight under control.
Blood-Sugar Control
Unless you have diabetes, being aware of your blood-sugar levels isn't a daily concern. You probably feel the differences as you move from a satisfied sensation to a craving for a favorite food during the day, however. By eating breakfast, you're leveling out your blood-sugar levels. The body feels stabilized as it uses the breakfast energy. When you skip breakfast, the body is suddenly destabilized. You'll crave every fatty and sugary food around you because the body is simply seeking out homeostasis. As a result, you'll probably eat a snack or meal that's high in calories with weight gain on the horizon.
Better Food Choices
Researchers have discovered that people who eat a balanced breakfast will make better food decisions for the rest of the day. These decisions are based on steady, blood-sugar levels. You don't feel deprived of any nutrients so cravings are kept largely at bay. The result of these behaviors is food selections full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fatty and calorie-laden foods are ignored for the most part.
Feeling Fuller For Longer
When you choose foods that are high in fiber or protein, your body needs time to digest those items. Because the digestive system is busy working on those foods, you'll feel fuller for a longer time period. Eating foods that are full of empty calories, such as pancakes with syrup, will only leave you hungry a few hours later. Eggs, oatmeal and vegetables are better choices.
Making the Time
Because you're entering your retirement years, there should be some extra time for a real breakfast each day. Pick out healthy items, such as eggs and whole-grain toast, so that you have enough calories to make it to lunch. Oatmeal is another option that many people enjoy. Ideally, pick foods that require some chewing so that the process takes some time to digest. You'll feel more satisfied afterward.
Keep ample fruits, cereals and oatmeal in the house so that you aren't tempted to skip breakfast. Filling a bowl of cereal, fruit and milk takes only a few minutes. It's possible to make and eat your breakfast in less than 10 minutes. This small commitment works wonders on your body as weight remains controlled through the retirement years.