Breakfast is considered the most beneficial meal of the day, but eating a healthy breakfast may do more than satisfy morning hunger pangs. Heather Leidy, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, conducted research to determine whether eating a protein rich breakfast influences food intake during other times in the day.

In her study, she tracked the eating habits of overweight females who consumed no breakfast, a high protein breakfast, or a traditional breakfast.  Volunteers filled out questionaires about their food satiety and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which allowed Leidy to monitor  brain signals to make conclusions about food motivation. She found that people who consumed a high protein breakfast were less likely to crave food later in the day.  For more information on the study, see Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast to Reduce Food Cravings, Prevent Overeating Later, MU Researcher Findsby Emily Martin.

Have you noticed a difference in your food consumption when you eat a high protein breakfast? Share your experience.