The consequences of poor nutrition - those who eat breakfast so burdened his health

The impact of poor breakfast quality

Poor nutrition at breakfast can have a lasting effect on cardiovascular health. A Spanish research group has shown in a recent study that the way to have breakfast is linked to important cardiovascular health factors.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, knows the vernacular. The fact that there is a lot of truth in this saying was recently revealed by Spanish researchers from the Public University of Navarra (UPNA). The study found that high-energy breakfast meals were associated with higher cholesterol, uric acid levels, and greater insulin resistance, regardless of the health of the participants. The results were recently presented in the journal "Nutrients".

A recent study highlights that breakfast is actually one of the most important meals of the day. (Image: karepa / fotolia.com)

Can a heavy breakfast damage our metabolism?

The team examined the dietary habits of 203 students aged 8 to 12 years. The study revealed that 13 percent of the children did not have breakfast and that those who consumed a lower-quality, higher-energy breakfast had a higher blood cholesterol and uric acid level and greater insulin resistance. In particular, a high energy density at breakfast had a negative effect on the glucose metabolism. This was also evident in the children who moved moderately to intensively for at least 60 minutes.

No breakfast is not a solution

As the researchers report, breakfast should not be waived. Children without breakfast were more cravings during the day, causing them to eat more at lunchtime than usual. The research group observed a connection between missing breakfast and increased obesity in the children. The promotion of a regular breakfast could already be the first childhood obesity prevention strategy, the researchers suggest.

Promotion programs for healthy breakfasts

"Nutrition education programs to improve children's cardiovascular and metabolic health should be introduced," said study leader Idoia Labayen in a Spanish press release on the study's findings. Especially in typical children's breakfasts usually hide heavily processed ingredients with high energy density, warns the nutrition expert.

Which foods are suitable for breakfast?

The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends as a breakfast or as a snack at school:

• Wholemeal bread or bread rolls: Thinly spread with butter, margarine or cream cheese and, for example, topped with low-fat sausage, low-fat cheese or with vegetarian spreads.
• fruit and vegetablesSliced ​​peppers, carrots, radishes, cocktail tomatoes, kohlrabi, cucumbers, apple, pear, apricot, peach, grapes, berries, cherries, kiwi, tangerines, pineapple are healthy and delicious snacks. Nuts and dried fruit are good for traveling.
• Dairy productsUnsweetened muesli with fresh fruit and natural yoghurt, drinking milk, unsweetened mixed drinks, yoghurt and quark are both suitable as a breakfast and as a good snack.
• Drink: Take plenty of fluids through low-energy drinks such as water and unsweetened teas. Avoid sugary drinks such as sodas and nectars. These deliver too many calories without saturating them.
• Avoid sweets: Chocolate bar, sweet spreads, pastries and fruit gums are not recommended, because in addition to the increased fat and sugar intake, this also leads to rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels and thus to a loss of performance.

(Vb)