You’ve likely heard the phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” echoed by parents and reinforced in school cafeterias. But how true is that claim? Is your day really not complete without breakfast? Let’s dive into whether or not breakfast truly deserves the spotlight. Plus, we’ll share some tips for meals that will help fuel your day and keep your energy up, as well as some of our products you might want to add to your morning wellness routine. Why is breakfast considered the most important meal? Breakfast has been known as the most important, non-negotiable meal of the day for long enough that the idea is ingrained in Americans’ minds. But did you know that ancient Greeks and Romans considered breakfast to be the least important meal, and it was often kept simple and convenient? The belief that breakfast is essential comes from the idea that your body needs nutrients soon after waking to replenish energy levels following an overnight fast. While research on this remains inconclusive, consistent breakfast consumption has been associated with potential benefits like reduced brain fog and energy support to fuel your day. So, is it true that you must eat breakfast? Eating right away in the morning can be a great choice for many people as it aligns with their daily routine, satisfies early morning hunger, and helps them feel more energized for the day. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t true for everyone. Some individuals simply don’t feel ready to eat right after waking up and may prefer to have their first meal later in the day. That’s perfectly fine, as long as they’re meeting their nutritional and caloric needs. The key is to practice intuitive eating, which involves listening to hunger and satiety cues in order to nourish your body with the food that it needs to thrive and tackle the day ahead. What you eat over the course of the day matters more than sticking to a traditional breakfast time. A general recommendation is to aim to eat your first meal within two hours of waking. Power through your day with these meal tips Regardless of when you eat your first meal, it’s important to focus on nourishing foods that provide lasting energy and keep you feeling full. This will help you stay focused and productive throughout your busy day. Incorporate protein into your first meal. Protein helps support your metabolism and can help you feel fuller for longer. Some good sources of protein include eggs, chicken, fish, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. As a general guideline, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is around 0.8 grams of protein for each kilogram (kg) of body weight each day (or 0.36 g per pound). Fiber is an essential part of the daily diet that many don’t get enough of. Fiber helps slow digestion, keeps you fuller for longer periods, and promotes digestive health.* The Daily Value (DV) for dietary fiber found on food and supplement labels is 28 grams. Get a jump-start on meeting your fiber needs for the day by eating fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, or even veggies at breakfast. Snack on convenient but healthy options in place of sweets to help keep your energy up when you feel that mid-day slump coming on. Some ideas could be whole grain avocado toast, hard boiled eggs, tinned fatty fish like salmon or tuna, those familiar peel-and-eat cheese sticks, or yogurt cups with granola. Nature’s Way products to add to your morning wellness routine It’s important to have a morning wellness routine, apart from just breakfast. Add a few Nature’s Way supplements to the mix to get a head start on the day. Organic MCT Oil is quickly absorbed and converted into energy for your brain and body and helps you to feel full.* Add this to your morning coffee or smoothie and take on the day! Alive!® B-Complex Gummies provide daily energy metabolism support with the full B-vitamin complex.* Probiotic Pearls Complete support balance in your life by promoting digestive, colon, and immune health.* Alive! multivitamins help bridge nutrient gaps and are formulated with B-vitamins to help turn the food you eat into fuel.* Check out our full selection here for men, women, and children.