Why Is Breakfast So Important?

Nearly everyone has been told at some point in their life that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But, for seniors who don’t keep regular schedules or have trouble preparing food for themselves may skip breakfast. Does it matter? Experts say it does. Below are some reasons your aging relative should start the day with a good breakfast.

Home Care in Herndon VA: Senior Breakfast Importance

Eating Breakfast Helps with Maintaining a Healthy Weight

You might think that skipping a meal would help a person to lose weight since it means eating fewer calories. However, research shows that people who start the day by eating a healthy breakfast typically have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who skip the meal. One reason is that breakfast gets the metabolism moving in the morning, signaling it that there will be enough calories for the day, so there is no need to conserve calories.

Breakfast Helps Older Adults Meet Nutritional Needs

Age-related changes cause seniors to lose some of their sense of taste, which may result in them not eating enough of the right foods to get enough nutrients. Starting the day with a breakfast that contains fruit, whole grains, and protein provides additional nutrients that they may not otherwise get during the rest of the day.

Breakfast Fuels the Body

The body needs food for energy. Skipping breakfast could leave older adults feeling sluggish. A breakfast that contains a combination of protein and carbs provides energy for the body and nutrients to prepare the brain for the rest of the day.

Breakfast Helps with Blood Sugar Control

Even if the senior doesn’t have diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels throughout the day can help them to feel better. It may even help prevent diabetes by reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance. In the morning, blood sugar can be low because the body has had no food overnight. Breakfast brings blood sugar levels back up to normal.

If your older family member has difficulty making breakfast for themselves, or if they don’t keep to a regular schedule, elderly care can help. Elderly care can come to the senior’s house each morning to help them get out of bed and get ready for the day. While they are there, an elderly care provider can also prepare a good breakfast for the older adult. And, if your loved one doesn’t like to eat alone, an elderly care provider can sit with them to chat while they eat, starting their day with friendly conversation and plenty of smiles.

Are you or a loved-one considering Home Care in Herndon, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

Sources
Webmd.com
Rush.edu
Todaysdietitian.com

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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