I’m sure we have all heard the phrase that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Growing up, I always rolled my eyes at this. Who has time for breakfast in the morning? With a fast-paced lifestyle, sneaking in time to eat more than just a granola bar for breakfast felt like too much to ask of myself. Getting those extra 10 minutes of sleep and eating my breakfast on the way to class seemed more time-efficient.
However, starting in the winter quarter of my freshman year of college, I have really started to prioritize eating a full meal in the morning. Since making this morning ritual a staple in my routine, I have noticed significant improvements in my social and academic life.
Breakfast: More than Just a Meal
Every Tuesday and Thursday, my friends Ethan and Chloe, meet me at 8:15 am sharp at Carrillo Dining Commons. We began doing this breakfast routine in winter quarter because we had Math 34B together, and it stayed as a tradition spring quarter, though we don’t have any classes together anymore. We debrief our weekends and catch up on life at these breakfasts. I don’t always get to see them now that we don’t have class together, so it has become a special part of my week that I look forward to so we can stay close.
On the weekends, it has also become a tradition for my friend group to have our post-going out Carrillo brunch, or as we call it, “Cabrunch.” Without a doubt, after a night out I will wake up in the morning to a “Cabrunch at 10?” text in our group chat. We trudge our way to the dining hall and load up our plates. My go to is an intricate yogurt bowl and a coffee.
We eat our food quickly, but will usually spend much longer than that just sitting together. We discuss each of our experiences on the night before, and what side quests we endured. Some of my most funny memories from freshman year have come from our brunch debriefs. It has been a fun way to stay updated on each other’s lives, and the tradition will definitely be continued in our apartments next year.
Breakfast has served an integral role in the social aspect of my freshman experience. From pre-class catching up to post-going out discussions, it has been a staple for connecting with my friends.
The Health Benefits
Not only has breakfast served role in my social life, but is also has so many health benefits that have improved my life in other ways. Just waking up 20 minutes earlier than I normally do has made a noticeable difference on my energy and focus for the day, which has, in turn, improved my school work, too.
Eating a balanced breakfast is proven to improve cognitive function. CU Boulder writes, “The reason that food makes a difference is that when someone hasn’t eaten all night, they’ve fasted for 10-12 hours and they typically have lower blood sugar levels. Eating first thing in the morning raises blood sugar levels and keeps it steady, which can improve mood and help people have more energy.”
Having breakfast has improved my energy for the day a lot. I already have relatively low blood pressure, so my baseline energy is lower than some, and skipping breakfast significantly worsens that. Winter quarter, having that breakfast with my friends before out 9 am Math class got me actually awake for the class. Instead of going to class and not processing any of the information, I was able to actually learn it.
Eating breakfast has more health benefits than just for your brain, but also for your body. The National Intsitute of Health writes that “Several cross-sectional studies reported an inverse association between breakfast consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. A prospective study of US Health Professionals documented an increase in incidence of CVD amongst those North American men who regularly failed to eat breakfast.” Breakfast is vital for bodily functions and keeping healthy. While skipping the meal may feel like a way to sleep in more in the morning, it can create more harm than what can be gained in that extra 20 minutes of sleep.
Overall, breakfast is super important for your health. It keeps your brain active and body healthy. Since consistently eating breakfast, I have noticed these differences. I am more focused in my early classes and don’t need to take as many naps. I can focus more on my work and have been able to work better in school.
Success for the Day Starts in the Morning
At the end of the day, creating a routine to eat breakfast every morning has significantly improved my life. I have been able to make breakfast a social event, and my morning yogurt bowl has become so much more than just a meal. Weekly catch-ups and going out debriefs through eating together have made me feel closer to my friends.
Additionally, the benefits to your body of the meal speak for themselves. Health should be prioritized, and breakfast is not the exception. Though the saying is cliché, we really should all be eating breakfast because it IS the most important meal of the day.