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What you eat for breakfast can have an effect on what you eat the rest of the day. A recent study suggests that eating a protein-packed breakfast may help people feel less hungry the rest of the morning and eat less at lunch.
Participants in the study were divided into 3 groups and given a breakfast of approximately 300 calories that contained similar amounts of fat and fiber. The first group’s breakfast also had 30 to 39 grams of protein, the second group’s breakfast did not have added protion, and the third group skipped breakfast.
The researchers gave the participants questionnaires to measure appetite before they ate and every 30 minutes between breakfast and lunch. For lunch they were given tortellini and sauce and told to eat until they were full.
After lunch, the researchers noted that the protein-rich group had lower hunger, more fullness, and less desire to eat throughout the morning. They also ate fewer calories at lunch when compared with the protein-light and skipped breakfast groups.
Researchers from Biofortis Clinical Research conducted the study. It was presented at The Obesity Society’s annual scientific meeting in Atlanta the week of November 12, 2013.
Protein functions as a building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. It is also involved in the creation of some hormones, and helps form antibodies that help prevent infection and illness.
To get the optimal benefit from protein, it’s important to choose the right type. Some good sources of protein are fish, poultry, beans, lean meat, nuts and whole grains.