Breakfast is for Champions

Breakfast is for Champions

Breakfast is considered by most to be the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast will fuel you up and prepare you for the rest of the day. Whether you eat at home, or chow down on some of the many choices that the school has, as long as you’re eating breakfast, you’re doing it right. Plus, who doesn’t love breakfast food?

Not only does breakfast provide an initial source of energy to get students through the morning, but a study from Umea University in Sweden found that teenagers who fail to eat a good breakfast are more likely to become obese and develop high blood sugar in adulthood. According to Johns Hopkins University, hunger sets in long before it’s time for lunch, but because it’s not convenient to eat properly, many people who have not eaten breakfast in the morning tend to snack on foods that are high in fat and sugar. Not only are you not getting necessary nutrients, you’re also more likely to eat unhealthy foods later on in the day. Eating breakfast has also been proven to improve performance in school. A 2005 Journal of the American Dietetic Association review of 47 breakfast-related studies found that eating breakfast is likely to improve cognitive function related to memory and test grades.

Those are just a few of the many positive sides to eating breakfast in the morning. Even if it means waking up a little earlier, having a good breakfast in the morning is well worth it.

High school health teacher Mr. Hoyt says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day because, “while you’re sleeping, your body isn’t getting any nutrients and your body isn’t repairing itself so it is very important to eat a good meal when you wake up in the morning.” He also said eating in the morning gets your metabolism started and helps with weight management. Mr. Hoyt’s advice for eating a healthy breakfast is to, “Stay away from sugary stuff, some sort of protein and carb is good, whole wheat toast, eggs, oatmeal without sugars, fruits, bananas, peanut butter, are all good choices.” His personal breakfast on most mornings consists of, “2 egg whites, plain oatmeal mixed with chia seeds and protein powder, a banana, whole wheat toast, and a cold glass of water as soon as I wake up.” The downsides of not eating breakfast, according to Mr. Hoyt, include not having energy to get through the day, and being fatigued.

According to Food Service Director Mr. Walcott, here at the high school, “students can buy breakfast for $1.25. Students can choose from whole grain muffins (blueberry, chocolate chip, corn), bagels, a fresh scrambled egg sandwich on a whole grain croissant, or whole grain biscuits, as well as low-fat milk, and fresh fruit. Students can also buy a premium breakfast for $1.75. The premium breakfast comes with a muffin and a bagel, as well as milk and fruit.” Mr. Walcott wants students to know that the school IS serving breakfast every morning and is actively trying to promote healthy choices. Mr. Walcott is also always looking for feedback on the food and choices that the cafeteria offers.