A new study from the University of Missouri found that eating breakfast, particularly a protein-rich breakfast, makes people feel more fulls and reduces hunger throughout the day. While nutrition experts have been telling us for years how important it is to eat breakfast, this study further confirms the soundness of this advice.
This study focused particularly on teenagers, because statistics show that 60% teens regularly skip breakfast. The teens were asked to either continue to skip breakfast or consume 500-calorie breakfast meal. The teens completed surveys about their appetite and fullness each week, and underwent brain scans, before lunch to determine brain functioning.
The results showed breakfast led to reduction in hunger throughout the morning and until lunch. Some teens at a higher protein breakfast, which led to even greater changes in appetite, satiety and reward-driven eating behavior compared to the normal protein breakfast.
"This study used functional MRI, which is a brain imaging technology that invigorated neuroscience research in the early 1990s. They found that eating breakfast, and particularly a high-protein breakfast, produced increased fullness and decreased hunger, and these responses were seen on functional MRI as activation of the areas of the brain related to food motivation and reward. This is an important step toward understanding hunger and satiety, which is an important component of the battle against the obesity epidemic," explained Dr. Emma Patterson.
These findings suggest that a protein-rich breakfast might be a good strategy to control appetite and prevent overeating.
One of our favorite breakfasts for those in a big hurry in the morning, is Dr. Bob Michaelson's "No Time for Breakfast Omelet". You can get the recipe and nutritional information here.
Added on 06/08/2011
by Northwest Weight Loss Surgery
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