New research suggests that eating breakfast plays a crucial role in maintaining good health, especially for older adults at risk for heart disease. While portion size and nutritional quality matter equally, consuming too little or too much calories can have negative effects.
Researchers studied 383 participants aged 55-75 who followed a Mediterranean diet and tried to lose weight. The study found that those who ate breakfasts between 20-30% of their daily calories had better health outcomes than those who consumed less or more at breakfast.
The ‘sweet spot’ of daily calories for breakfast can be achieved by eating between 400-600 calories for someone with a 2,000 calorie diet. A balanced meal should include whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fruits or vegetables while limiting processed foods high in added sugars and unhealthy fats.
Quality plays a significant role in determining cardiovascular risk factor outcomes. The researchers emphasize that breakfast is not just about the quantity of food but also its nutritional composition.
This study highlights the importance of optimizing breakfast to provide high-quality nutrition, which could have implications for dietary recommendations, especially for older adults managing cardiovascular risk factors. By understanding what and how much we eat, we can make informed choices to maintain better metabolic health.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/precise-breakfast-formula-that-could-help-protect-your-heart