Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Haley. Haley Wonders, “Why is breakfast considered the most important meal of the day?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Haley!

Bacon. Eggs. Buttered toast and biscuits. Cereal, hash browns, and French toast. A tall stack of fluffy pancakes covered in maple syrup. Are you hungry yet? We sure are! After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! 

Or is it? For years, people have talked about the importance of breakfast. They list its benefits. They claim that eating breakfast is just about the healthiest thing you can do for yourself.

However, the evidence behind that claim doesn’t always hold up. In fact, study after study has yielded different results. In some cases, experts found that people who eat breakfast are likely to have a healthier weight, more energy, and a better mood throughout the day. But results of other studies make the same case for skipping breakfast.

Many experts conclude that what you eat for breakfast is much more important than whether you eat it or not. A good breakfast should have plenty of protein and healthy fats. That means foods like eggs, yogurt, fruit, and vegetables are great options. Foods that are very high in sugar--like toaster pastries and doughnuts--are often less healthy than skipping breakfast completely.

Does that mean no one should ever eat pancakes? Of course not! Sweet breakfast foods are okay in moderation. It just means they’re not the healthiest choice for every breakfast. Pancakes, muffins, and bagels are great for a special treat. 

Some people just aren’t hungry when they wake up, and that’s okay. In many cases, it’s perfectly healthy to skip breakfast if you’re not hungry. What’s most important is that the first meal you eat every day is healthy, whenever you eat it.

After all, eating breakfast hasn’t always been a widespread practice like it is today. At one time, it was pretty uncommon for anyone to eat breakfast. 

That started to change In the 14th Century. European farm workers started gathering for morning breakfast ahead of a long day of work.  Craftsmen and laborers also took up breakfast in the 1500s. Later, members of the aristocracy started eating breakfast, and the practice continued to spread.

Today, many people around the world eat breakfast. Does your family start the day with a morning meal? Do you have a favorite breakfast food? Or would you rather wait until lunch? Whatever your morning routine, we hope it helps you start every day healthy and happy.

Standards: NGSS.LS1.C, C3.D2.His.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.W.9, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2, CCRA.W.4, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.R.10

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Tomorrow's Wonder of the Day is so great, we couldn’t MAKE it UP if we tried!