“Eat
breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” This
adage suggests that breakfast should constitute the most important meal of our
daily diet, followed by lunch, and end off with a light dinner. "Studies have shown that a healthy
breakfast has wide-ranging benefits for the human body, such as supporting
metabolism, boosting mental alertness and improving digestion," says Susan
Bowerman, Senior Director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at
Herbalife.
Yet according to the Healthy
Breakfast Survey conducted in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific region by
Herbalife, 21 percent of the Filipino respondents do not consume breakfast
daily. While those who do, have an unbalanced meal that comprises mainly
carbohydrates in the morning. Too often, breakfast is little more than toast,
white rice, noodles or a cup of coffee, tea or chocolate drink - all of which
digest quickly, leaving people hungry by mid-morning.
Skipping a breakfast
meal might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but the
side-effects could be detrimental to your health in the long run. For a start,
skipping your breakfast could lead to more cravings later in the day which makes
it harder to manage your weight.
Bowerman adds, “In
general, we tend to make bad food choices when we are starving, as we would be
more likely to indulge in food. Also, research has revealed that skipping your
breakfast could increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.”
By contrast, starting the day with a good
breakfast has many benefits. Consuming your breakfast could do wonders for weight management, as food consumption releases gut hormones
which control appetite, having a sustained effect throughout the day and
helping to reduce the number of cravings. "Plus, there's less risk of
heart disease and diabetes, while you can improve muscle health, memory, energy
and mood by starting the day right."
A study published in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition also found that people who consume a
high-protein breakfast tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day compared
to those who do not, due to the appetite-suppressing effect from dietary
protein, thus providing satiety between meals.
But how can we
practically incorporate a healthy breakfast into our daily eating habits?
According
to Herbalife’s Healthy Breakfast Survey, the top three motivators for Filipino respondents to adopt a regular breakfast diet are
if consuming breakfast contributes to health and well-being; if their breakfast
can help in giving them more energy; and if their breakfast can be made more
accessible to them.
With this in mind, perhaps making a few simple
changes to daily living might do the trick – such as waking up 15 minutes
earlier, opting for a quick and nutritious breakfast fix, or getting a friend
or loved one to join you for breakfast.
While this marks a positive start to a
long-term change in lifestyle habits, the type of breakfast choices one makes will
also have an impact on overall health and well-being.
When it comes to selecting just what to eat
for breakfast, Bowerman advocates following Herbalife's Global Nutrition
Philosophy, according to which our total daily calories should be comprised of
40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fats, along with
25g of fibre and eight glasses of water.
"A healthy, balanced breakfast should
provide you with an adequate amount of protein, while a few pieces of fruit or
vegetables can provide sustained energy and fibre. For healthy fats, nuts or
avocado can serve as a delicious energy source for your body," adds
Bowerman. "And if time is pressing, consider having a protein shake, like
the Herbalife Formula 1 Shake – which is easy to prepare and provides all the
nutrients required to start your day right."
So, all you need to have a healthy breakfast
each day is a little time and commitment. Choose ingredients that are enjoyable
and nutritious, and you can make it a habit to start the day right and will soon enjoy the benefits as you feel
and look better, with more zest for life.
About Herbalife Nutrition
Herbalife Nutrition is a
global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and
happier. The Company has been on a mission for nutrition - changing people's
lives with great nutrition products and programs - since 1980. Together with
our Herbalife Nutrition independent members, we are committed to providing
solutions to the worldwide problems of poor nutrition and obesity, an aging
population, skyrocketing public healthcare costs and a rise in entrepreneurs of
all ages. Herbalife Nutrition offers high-quality, science-backed products,
most of which are produced in Company-operated facilities, one-on-one coaching
with an Herbalife Nutrition independent member, and a supportive community
approach that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Herbalife Nutrition’s
targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and personal care
products are available exclusively to and through its independent members in
more than 90 countries. Through its corporate social responsibility efforts,
Herbalife Nutrition supports the Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF) and its Casa
Herbalife programs to help bring good nutrition to children in need. Herbalife
Nutrition is also proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams
and events around the globe, including Cristiano Ronaldo, the LA Galaxy, and
numerous Olympic teams.
Herbalife Nutrition has
over 8,300 employees worldwide, and its shares are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE: HLF) with net sales of approximately US$4.4 billion in 2017. To
learn more, visit Herbalife.com or IAmHerbalife.com.
