Earlier this week, we wrote about the body of evidence that shows eating breakfast does not lead to weight loss. But does eating breakfast impact cognitive function and learning? As my kids head back to school this week, it’s certainly a question on my mind.
So I went to work trying to find as much credible evidence as possible about how eating breakfast impacts cognition. Most of the studies I found measured the impact of breakfast on school performance among children – often times children who received free or reduced breakfasts at school. On the whole, the data about how breakfast impacts cognition are mixed.
There are two large systematic reviews on the topic.
The first, published in Journal of School Health in 2005, reviewed studies that focused on four separate topics: hunger, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, and the importance of breakfast. The review found that for children who are anemic, eating a breakfast high in iron improved their cognitive performance. It found no evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation leads to improved academic performance.
On the topic of school breakfast programs, the research shows that enrolled children have improved attendance rates and decreased tardiness. And among severely undernourished children, school breakfast programs seem to improve academic performance and cognitive functioning.
A second review, published in Nutritional Research Reviews in 2009, included forty-five studies published between 1950 and 2008 that evaluated the effects of breakfast on cognitive performance in well-nourished children and nutritionally at-risk children. This review drew similar conclusions: It found that eating breakfast is more beneficial than skipping breakfast, but more so for children whose nutritional status is compromised. It found a lack of data about the type and size of breakfast that is best for children. And it found that school breakfast programs improve attendance, but it’s unclear whether eating breakfast improves learning for kids who are well-nourished.
The take-home message here is mixed. Yes, breakfast is important, especially for kids who are undernourished. For these children, the evidence does show that school breakfast programs improve learning.
For healthy, well-fed children, it’s unclear whether breakfast improves their cognition or not. In our house, my son has never enjoyed eating first-thing in the morning. Based on the evidence, I will always make sure he has something in the morning – a glass of milk or a piece of fruit – but I’m not going to worry if he doesn’t want to eat a large breakfast.
From our fluffy buttermilk pancakes to a slice of savory thick-sliced bacon to homemade biscuits or corn muffins, we look forward to seeing you enjoy some of our favorite country breakfasts.
I always have breakfast with a glass of milk and 2 pieces of pancakes, and lunch time I only eat burgers , is it healthy…..?
thanks for answer my question
Thanks for these two breakfast posts! While I am always starving first thing in the morning, everyone else in the house prefers to wait a couple of hours before eating. I’ve accepted that this is the way they are, but it is wonderful to know that I’m not dooming them to a mediocre day at work or school by letting them eat when they are ready.
bread and a glass of milk is enough for breakfast