As a result of early school starts and hectic schedules, many students lack time in the morning for breakfast, according to Infection preventionist Elizabeth Johnson.
“Eating or not eating breakfast is a habit, and it takes three weeks to form a new habit. People don’t realize how great they feel when eating breakfast compared to not eating breakfast until they have formed this habit,” Johnson said.
This time in life, when the brain is still developing, is the most essential because it’s the bodies first opportunity to get nutrients and replenish it from a night of resting. People who eat breakfast get more important nutrients such as calcium, fiber, zinc, iron, vitamin A and C and riboflavin, according to a study by the International Food Information Council Foundation. These nutrients are vital, especially for students, when starting the day.
“People should eat a breakfast filled with a source of protein to help kick-start the body and stabilize blood sugar; rather than a carb- filled breakfast like oatmeal,” Johnson said.
Eating breakfast is statistically beneficial to a person’s body. Some of the many physical rewards include, a more nutritionally balanced diet, lower cholesterol levels, better weight control and a lower risk for heart disease. Students who eat breakfast also have improved concentration, problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination, reduces fatigue and more strength/endurance throughout the day.
“It is important for students especially, to eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up because they need the source of energy breakfast provides to concentrate and perform well in school,” Johnson said.
Many people are unaware of the long term effects of skipping breakfast, according to Johnson. However, skipping breakfast can increase the risk of hypoglycemia or cause low-blood sugar. It can also cause physical conditions such as shakiness, dizziness, weakness, headaches, tingling and rapid heart rate, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“I feel tired and I get headaches when I don’t eat breakfast,” Smith said.
Over time, skipping breakfast can lead to more serious issues like heart disease, obesity and type two of diabetes. It leads to the question of what can be done to help change the rising numbers of kids who are affected by these issues.
“I knew that skipping breakfast was bad for my body but I didn’t think it had any real long term effects on it,” sophomore Adam Scott said.
High School and college students skip breakfast the most because of their early morning routines. Students feel like there is no time to eat; especially because they usually try to minimize their morning schedule as much as possible in order to maximize sleep, according to junior Miranda Day.
“I skip breakfast because it takes up time in the morning and I am just too busy,” junior Noah Reid said.
Health is evidently ignored by most teenagers. Good health is expected by the younger generation, they are highly dependent on energy supplies that don’t provide the same benefits and proteins that are needed in life.
“Plan to eat breakfast,” Johnson said. “And if you know you wont have enough time in the morning then prepare something to eat the night before.”