Is Breakfast for Champions?

Breakfast. Yup, it’s still the most important meal of the day. Nothing has changed. And no matter how many days, years and decades we hear this message, there is still a very large segment of the population who runs out the door each day without it! Even elite athletes! Apparently, the culprit is “time.” Everyone blames “time.”

The literal meaning of “breakfast” is to “break a fast”. This mini-fast occurs between the time you go to bed and the time you get up. The empty stomach in the morning needs fuel to start the body engine, if just to get through a normal day productively and efficiently. Ask the body to do more by adding physical activity or a sports practice or competition to its’ day, and now the importance of breakfast is of vital significance.

Nutritional experts say that for kids, breakfast is imperative, so that they have essential fuel for their growing and active bodies and brains; and for adults, it kick starts the metabolism. Athletes and physically active individuals who miss breakfast will lack energy for high-quality workouts. An active teenage or adult athlete requires more carbohydrates, protein, fat and water than the non-athlete in order to achieve peak athletic performance.

Athletes , parents and coaches are becoming more and more aware of the fundamental role diet plays in sporting success and while natural talent, hard work and determination are all essential, breakfast may not produce the champion, but it sure does lay the proper groundwork for the champion to be produced.

Contact SIRC for more information on sport nutrition!