Nutrition
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip Breakfast
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Nutrition
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip Breakfast
Thinking about forgoing your morning smoothie or toast again? Here are four reasons why you should add breakfast to your meal plan.
Whether you run out the door first thing in the morning or have time for a mediation and skin care routine, in all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget breakfast. But what happens to your body when you don't eat in the morning?
How skipping breakfast affects your body
1. Unstable blood sugar levels
A balanced breakfast helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and drops. Without it, blood sugar levels fluctuate, causing the body to release more insulin when you finally eat. In some cases, frequent insulin spikes can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
2. Less energy
Skipping breakfast means you’re missing out on a morning burst of energy. Low blood sugar forces your body to produce more insulin, causing fatigue, mood swings, confusion, and more. A healthy breakfast allows you to function at your best without having to draw on tissue and muscle reserves.
3. More severe menstrual pain
When you're on your period, skipping breakfast first thing in the morning can actually make your period pain worse. Cortisol—our stress hormone that’s already at its peak in the morning—rises when you skip breakfast. Heightened cortisol causes a hormonal chain reaction that disrupts the regulation of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone, leading to cramps, headaches, and ovulatory dysfunction.
4. Higher anxiety and stress
Similarly, not curbing your morning cortisol levels with food can cause you to experience increased emotional stress, mood swings, or irritability.
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