The daily pace of our environment makes us people without much time, which has turned breakfast into a very infrequent habit. This can lead to imbalances in the body, lack of energy, or even weight gain, since skipping the first meal of the day decreases cognitive ability, concentration, and affects performance throughout the day, as explained by Dr. Felipe Melgar Cuéllar from Herbalife Bolivia's Nutritional Advisory Council.
Dr. Felipe Melgar, in his presentation to the media, provided an initial overview of an issue that concerns everyone but especially the profession of responsible nutrition. With this, he officially began his work as a Nutritional Advisor for Herbalife Bolivia.
The expert explained that having breakfast regularly allows better control over appetite, thus helping to manage weight and prevent obesity. According to research, 59% of men and 48% of women are overweight or obese because they do not provide their bodies with essential nutrients and fluids at the most critical time of the day, he added.
Dr. Melgar indicated that during the day, the body uses energy (micronutrients) as fuel. At night, the body uses building materials (micronutrients) to recover. Parallel to these processes, one liter of water is lost during sleep through breathing, sweating, and urination. Therefore, a healthy breakfast is vital to supply the body with micronutrients and water to help recover what was lost.
In order to promote this important eating habit, Herbalife suggests a healthy breakfast that can be consumed by men and women aged 18 and older. This breakfast provides 260 calories (13% of the daily caloric intake), ideal for those looking to lose weight.
Herbalife’s healthy breakfast includes its traditional shake, which combined with skim milk provides high-biological-value proteins; it can be paired with green tea, known for its powerful antioxidants that help revitalize the body, boosting energy; aloe, which provides water and helps regulate the digestive system; and a bowl of sugar-free fruit salad, which supplies fiber, vitamins, and minerals, explained Dr. Melgar.
If weight loss is not your goal, Herbalife recommends the shake accompanied by two slices of whole grain bread spread with dietetic white cheese, low-calorie jam, and sugar-free fruit salad. This option provides 440 calories, representing 22% of the daily caloric intake, very close to the recommended 500 calories for a healthy breakfast.
Dr. Felipe Melgar Cuéllar is a member of the Herbalife International Bolivia’s Nutritional Advisory Council.
