In an early morning rush, a student might be thinking about one thing: getting out the door for class. As they grab their headphones, shove their laptop into their backpack and scramble to find their keys in their messy apartment, the clock ticks. Class starts soon, and they still have not even left yet.
As they begin to walk up the dreaded Bull Street hill, their stomachs growl. This student forgot to eat breakfast — and they might not be the only one. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, about 13.8% of college students rarely or never eat breakfast.
Even though eating breakfast might seem inconvenient to students, especially since no one ever wants to have to wake up any earlier than they have to, students shouldn't skip this morning meal.
For starters, eating breakfast in the morning has its perks. Students can lower their risk for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and even obesity. However, the health benefits might get lost even by skipping breakfast just one day of the week. Students should not only prioritize eating breakfast in the first place but also make it a routine in order to promote a healthy heart.
Additionally, the human body stores energy and nutrients that we need for survival, and breakfast replenishes it. During the day, a student might be eating three meals and snacking consistently. The food that they consume creates energy for the human body, allowing a student to get through their long day at USC. At night when students are sleeping, their bodies go hours without any food.
This means that when students wake up, their bodies need to be replenished in order to gain back the energy and nutrients not received overnight. Eating a balanced breakfast before heading out the door fulfills the body's need for sustenance. In order to have a productive and healthy day of classes, students should eat something, even if it is small, before getting their day started.
Breakfast also helps students perform well academically. A study found that college students who ate breakfast were more likely to score higher on a general biology test. This is vital, as it demonstrates how breakfast and academic achievement are correlated, and students should understand how much this simple meal can boost their academic performance.
Skipping this meal can cause the brain to be depleted of glucose, causing a student to feel sluggish or feel like they are struggling to focus. Sometimes, a stomach growling or even the feeling of hunger might be a distraction. By eating breakfast, a student might be more likely to focus on important material during lectures, which will also help them perform better on exams in the process.
Eating breakfast is important, as it boosts physical health and academic performance. Students should focus on making it a routine, as a small habit can easily be changed into an everyday goal.
Before a student rushes out the door for their next morning class, they should grab a banana or maybe even a yogurt on their way. After all, eating breakfast will only help them be a better student throughout the day.