Every day students are told by teachers, parents, and administration that breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gives the brain a jump start. However, many students go to school every day without eating breakfast. Why skip this seemingly important meal? Some students say they do not eat breakfast because they don’t have enough time, while other students simply choose to skip it. After interviewing staff members from Stamford High School we can better see how vital eating a good breakfast really is.

Melissa Giordano, a health/gym teacher at SHS, said that “by not eating breakfast, it negatively affects a student’s performance.” Giordano said that she can tell when students don’t eat breakfast. This illustrates the idea that the students who eat breakfast are more prepared for what they are expected to do in class; it helps them be more ready to take on the day.

In addition to teachers, social workers are also able to notice when students don’t eat breakfast. Dr. Rachel Bria, a social worker at Stamford High School, said, “eating breakfast helps get the day going for students.” Students who do not eat breakfast usually go all morning and wait to eat until lunch.  That’s a long time to go without fueling your body, and as a result, one should expect consequences.

There have been plenty of studies conducted to compare people who eat breakfast to people who do not eat breakfast. The results of these studies have shown that eating breakfast helps improve both emotional and physical aspects of a person’s health. One important physical aspect of eating breakfast is that it helps with performance in the classroom. Also proven is that breakfast helps cognitive performance, which helps improve test scores, and ultimately results in better grades. Students who eat breakfast have better grades overall, compared to non-breakfast eaters, as having a good breakfast enhances one’s concentration skills; this helps them be more attentive in class so they are able to absorb more information.

Students that do not eat breakfast often suffer from fatigue, but can also suffer from other physical effects that may be more serious. Students who don’t eat breakfast may suffer from low blood sugar, which causes dizziness, weakness, headaches, and rapid heart rate. All of which can affect people not only in the classroom, but also during everyday life. By not eating breakfast, students also suffer from having a more negative mood than students who eat breakfast. While eating breakfast may not ease clinical depression, it can help with a person’s overall health.

There is also a certain caloric intake one must meet everyday (this varies from person to person), and by not eating breakfast students will either not consume all the calories they need, or be more tempted to eat food that is less healthy. Eating a nutritional breakfast each morning is a great way to help consume the nutrients and vitamins needed throughout the day, rather than eating them before going to bed. By eating breakfast people are less likely to snack during the day, and consequently will lead to having a more balanced diet and a lessened risk of becoming overweight.

Eating breakfast is essential to one’s day, and eating the right breakfast makes it all the more beneficial. Recommended breakfast foods are fruit smoothies, whole grain cereal, eggs, or a whole wheat English muffin. These foods help stimulate energy levels and get people ready for the day ahead of them.

If you’re one of those people who usually starts their day without eating, it may be time to give breakfast another chance!