Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. How often have you heard that statement? It comes at you from all directions -- at home, in the papers, on the Internet, everywhere. There have been countless studies on this very topic, researching just what value a healthy breakfast can add to your body, lifestyle, overall well-being etc. However, if you are still not entirely convinced maybe the findings of the latest study on the topic might motivate you to take the first meal of the day more seriously.

According to a study by American researcher Dr Daniela Jakubowicz, a big breakfast may be just the key to losing weight and keeping it off. According to a report on bbc.co.uk, the study followed the weight loss pattern of 96 obese women --one group of whom consumed half their daily calorie intake during breakfast and a second group that followed a low-carbohydrate diet that had almost equal calories at every meal.

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The results showed that while initially the latter group showed better weight loss results, after eight months, the former continued to lose weight while the low-carb dieters gained a lot of the weight lost.

According to Dr Jakubowicz, a healthy serving of breakfast helps prevent hunger pangs through the day and also allows for a larger amount of fibre and fruit to be included in the meal.

Keeping the balance

Of course, it's not just that you eat but what you eat that counts. Mayoclinic.com suggests that a well-balanced breakfast -- one with protein, carbohydrate, fat and fibre -- can keep hunger at bay for a longer time through the day and reduce the need for a big lunch or dinner.

Cereal, milk, boiled/poached eggs, a few slices of whole grain bread, fruit, peanut butter all make for a delicious breakfast without being too heavy on the calories.

Cut out the excuses

We all have them: I need my sleep, I don't have the time, there's too many things to do, I can't cook so early, I'm not hungry in the morning and on and on.

Whatever your excuse, remember, it's just one more reason you are choosing to lead a less healthy lifestyle. Get up 10 minutes earlier than you usually do and prepare yourself a bowl of cereal with a few slices of fruit mixed in. It will take you a few minutes but give you a great start to the day.

If you have been skipping meals for months or even years, chances are you don't feel hungry in the mornings, so start off small, suggests thedietchannel.com. A slice or two of toast with some butter or margarine, a small bowl of cereal, a bowl of fruit -- all healthy beginnings to a healthy habit!