Weight loss, alertness linked to eating morning meal

A recent study has Drake University students talking about the importance of eating breakfast.

Scientists at Imperial College London found that those who hope to lose weight by skipping breakfast are mistaken.

Similarly, a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology discovered that obesity rates are higher for those who choose to skip breakfast. The brain craves higher calorie foods if not fed in the morning, which can lead to eating unhealthy snacks throughout the day.

Eating breakfast will also decrease drowsiness, according to the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.

For college students who may struggle with both maintaining weight and getting an adequate amount of sleep, these findings are important, especially for those who have early classes.

“I always eat breakfast during the week,” said Matthew Van, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major. “Just cereal and milk in my room. If I don’t, I can feel it, especially in my 8 a.m. class. I just feel tired.”

Junior biology major Rebekah Reynolds agreed.

“I love breakfast,” Reynold said. “If I miss it, I feel pretty tired and crappy.”

Even if college students are unable to create gourmet nutritious breakfasts every day, as online sources like the Huffington Post suggest, there are alternate options to consider in order to reap the benefits of a morning meal.

If you want to keep your breakfast foods in your dorm room or apartment, collegelife.com lists some easy options.  Many of these options can be purchased at a local grocery store or Drake’s C-Store.

Yogurt, fruit, muffins and vegetables are easy on-the-go items.  If you have the extra time, foods such as toast, Pop-Tarts or their equivalents, oatmeal and cereal, are just as nutritious and simple.

“I usually just eat breakfast in my room,” said first-year English major Megan Schneider. “Just cereal. It’s easy.”

You can also stop and pick up muffins, yogurt, bagels and cream cheese or smoothies at the Olmsted Center. Olmsted even has healthy meal substitution smoothies with extra proteins and nutrients.

According to the Journal of Adolescent Health an extra five minutes spent feeding your energy levels can also feed your brain and can help boosting short-term memory.