Consider “Break the Fast” Resolution

 Wikipedia, defines New Year’s resolution as a “commitment a person makes to one or more lasting personal goals, projects or the reforming of a habit.”  Each New Year, hundreds of people make commitments to eat healthy, lose weight and get fit. Diet modification to lose weight is one of the most popular resolutions people make and rightfully so.  Losing just 10% of your body weight is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

According to Lisa Lynn, Specialist in Metabolic Disorders and Personal Training, “diet is responsible for 80% of your weight loss and exercise makes up the other 20%.”  Unfortunately, many of us are unsuccessful at meeting weight loss goals.  As a dietitian, I know one mistake dieters make is skipping breakfast.  People who skip breakfast tend to eat more later in the day.  Eating a nutrient-rich breakfast helps set the tone for the rest of the days’ calorie intake.  The National Weight Control Registry observed that a common behavior of people who lost weight and kept it off was that they ate breakfast every day.  Additionally, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that “adult women trying to diet are more successful if they eat a healthy breakfast and avoid mid-morning snacks.”  Here are a few other breakfast facts:

• The definition of breakfast is to “break the fast.” Our body is in a fasting state when we sleep. Eating a healthy breakfast breaks this fast.
• Eating breakfast can reduce your appetite , thereby reducing overeating.
• Glycogen is important for muscle energy. You may have more energy by eating a healthy breakfast because it replenishes muscle glycogen stores which were depleted overnight.  On the other hand, skipping breakfast has been associated with decreased physical activity.
• Research shows that students who fuel up with breakfast are better prepared to learn

Considering smart resolutions and eating a healthy breakfast can play a major role in your weight loss progress.  For delicious breakfast recipes visit the recipe section of our website.

Arlene Murrell, MS, RD, LD, CLE

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