Dieticians recommend that breakfast should represent 25% of our daily energy requirements. For children in particular, but also for adults, the quality of the day’s first meal has a direct impact on our physical and intellectual performance. It has been demonstrated that children who eat breakfast have a better attention span at school.
An irreplaceable ritual
After eight to twelve hours of sleep, the body’s energy reserves are depleted. Breakfast supplies the necessary energy for facing the day effectively.
On the other hand, repeatedly skipping, or eating an inadequate, breakfast can have many harmful effects on your health and academic and job performance, including :
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general fatigue and the 11 a.m. low-energy syndrome;
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loss of concentration and a reduced ability to learn and memorize;
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weight gain (skipping breakfast encourages larger meals and a diet higher in fat).
Carbohydrates in the diet
Breakfast is also important because it provide carbohydrates, which should supply half the body’s daily energy needs. Converted into glucose during digestion, carbohydrates are a “fuel” essential to muscle and brain functioning. Carbohydrates are provided by such foods as bread, biscuits, milk, sugar and jam.