Your mom tells you this all the time too–but a heavy breakfast and a light dinner are key to weight loss and staying fit. Ask just about anyone the secret to losing weight and the words “heavy breakfast” and “light dinner” are likely to be the answer. Sure, drinking enough water and exercising regularly are also important for weight loss–but this one little funda for a healthy you, has been around for ages. Turns out, apart from keeping you fit and fine, eating a light dinner and a heavy breakfast can also prevent obesity and high blood sugar by burning more calories.
According to the researchers, human metabolism is measured by a process called diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), which can differ depending on the mealtime.
“Our results show that a meal is eaten for breakfast, regardless of the number of calories it contains, creates twice as high diet-induced thermogenesis as the same meal consumed for dinner,” says lead researcher Juliane Richter.
According to the researchers, human metabolism is measured by a process called diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), which can differ depending on the mealtime.
“Our results show that a meal is eaten for breakfast, regardless of the number of calories it contains, creates twice as high diet-induced thermogenesis as the same meal consumed for dinner,” says lead researcher Juliane Richter.
Here’s how the researchers came to this conclusion
The researchers conducted a three-day laboratory study of 16 men who consumed a low-calorie breakfast and high-calorie dinner, and vice versa in a second round.
They found identical calorie consumption led to 2.5 times higher DIT in the morning than in the evening after high-calorie and low-calorie meals. The food-induced increase of blood sugar and insulin concentrations was diminished after breakfast compared with dinner.
The results also show eating a low-calorie breakfast increased appetite, specifically for sweets.
“We recommend that patients with obesity as well as healthy people eat a large breakfast rather than a large dinner to reduce body weight and prevent metabolic diseases,” said Richter.
All in all, a heart breakfast is key to a healthy life
We’re hoping by now you’ve come to understand the importance of eating a heavy and healthy breakfast. But if you need more reasons, then know this that not eating a proper breakfast can also make you feel sluggish and lethargic for the rest of the day.
So for the sake of your health, don’t ignore your morning nosh.