It's more important than an apple a day or the box of vitamins lying lazily on the counter. It's needed by everyone; the human body craves it and just can't do without it. So why is breakfast the most neglected meal of the day? In the economic hustle and bustle of the modern age, many working families are constantly on the go and, consequently, breakfast is conveniently sacrificed. However, this is one sacrifice you should not make. A nutritious breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day and determines the amount of energy you have at work, school or even performing house chores. Skipping out on breakfast will lead to constant craving and snacking on high-calorie foods throughout the day because most of your reserve energy was burned during sleep. Ultimately, missing breakfast will so imbalance the energy and metabolic levels of the human body that lunch and dinner cannot compensate, leading to fatigue and troubled sleep. In fact, people who skip out on breakfast may find themselves overeating during other meals of the day. Personal Trainer Lee Riccio stresses that breakfast is a crucial part of the day because it replenishes the depleted energy levels from the day before. This is especially true for those who maintain an active lifestyle based on fitness and exercise. "During sleep hours, amino acids in the body are working to repair micro-tears, he explains. Micro-tears are the effects of weight lifting and cardiovascular exercise; muscle tissue is torn and then rebuilt by amino acids. "If you go without breakfast after a workout the previous day, you will find that your next workout will suffer and you won't be making gains anymore, Riccio says. A nutritious breakfast need not be time-consuming or elaborate. At the very least, a bowl of unsweetened whole grain cereal with milk and a glass of orange juice should keep you vitalized until lunchtime. If that doesn't whet your appetite, try some plain yoghurt - there are many varieties available in Cairo markets. Fresh fruit juice, baladi bread and cheese are also good options. It if it is a protein punch you seek, try some low-fat, low-cholesterol egg whites. In addition to kick starting the morning, breakfast is an essential part of dieting and weight management. Scientific research indicates that among those who shed 30 pounds or more and managed to keep it off for at least a year, 80 percent relied on a well-balanced breakfast as part of their weight loss regimen. Skipping out on breakfast may lead to obesity. Breakfast is also particularly important for children and young adolescents, as obesity has become an epidemic in Egypt and the Middle East. Note to parents - avoid the quick-fix breakfasts such as cereals or granola bars that are packed with refined sugars. And fried eggs are a good bet to an early grave.
