About The Buzz: Skipping Breakfast Increases Heart Disease Risk?

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Good eating habits are important to heart health. Those who regularly start the day by eating breakfast have a significantly lower risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease.

WHAT WE KNOW

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It provides energy and nutrients that your body needs for all your daily activities. Eating breakfast has been shown to suppress hunger, lower blood sugar, and improve how the body uses insulin. It is also beneficial in losing weight and warding off chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?

In addition to its positive effect on weight loss/maintenance and the prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes, research shows that breakfast is also important for a healthy heart. In a 2013 longitudinal study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers assessed the eating habits of 26,902 American men ages 45-82 who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Over the next 16 years, 1527 cases of heart disease were reported for this group. The participants who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27% higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than those who ate a morning meal. Researchers also compared men who ate at night with those who did not, finding that late-night eating resulted in a 55% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. While the study group was composed of men, researchers say the results are likely to apply to women, although additional studies are needed.*

OUR ADVICE

Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast! There are plenty of nutritious ways to fit breakfast into your busy morning routine. Start with fruits and vegetables!

• Think about the fruits and veggies you like to eat and build your meal around them. Add bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit to your cereal or oatmeal. Or, toss some veggies into your omelet.
• For added convenience, keep all forms of fruits and vegetables on hand > 100% juice for a healthy beverage or smoothie, dried raisins or cranberries for cereal, canned peaches for cottage cheese or plain yogurt, frozen veggies for an omelet, and fresh, cut-up fruit or veggies for mornings when you’re short on time.
• Don’t like traditional breakfast foods? There’s no rule that says you have to eat cereal or eggs and toast. Breakfast can be anything > a sandwich, leftovers, even vegetables! The important thing is to eat something nutritious within one hour of getting up.

Related Topics
Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Fruit and Vegetables – From Breakfast to Dessert
Manage Your Weight With Breakfast
Breakfast Cactus Pear Burrito Recipe
Broccoli Omelet Recipe
Eggs over Kale and Sweet Potato Grits Recipe