Why Breakfast Is Good for You
nutrition

Why Breakfast Is Good for You

  • By Carolina Schneider, MS RD
  • Updated: May 2025

Why Breakfast Is Good for You

You've probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But let's be honest, between early meetings, school drop-offs, and the general chaos of mornings, it’s also the easiest to skip.

Still, there's a reason breakfast has earned its VIP status in the world of nutrition. When you eat breakfast, you're not just filling your belly, you’re fueling your entire day with energy, focus, and feel-good vibes.

And when you skip breakfast, you're missing out on some serious benefits that your body and your mood will notice.

At Daily Harvest, we believe starting strong in the morning leads to thriving for the rest of the day. Here's why breakfast is a game-changer, and how to make it work for your busy life.

Why Breakfast Still Rules the Day

Brain Fuel, Mood Boost, and Metabolism Magic

So, why is it important to have breakfast? Just imagine trying to drive cross-country on an empty tank. Sounds stressful, right? That's basically your brain without breakfast. Eating in the morning gives your body the nutrition it craves after a night's fast.

Studies show that breakfast foods high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats help regulate blood sugar levels, boost concentration, and support better moods throughout the day.1

The benefits of eating breakfast include:1

  • Boosting your metabolism early, helping your body burn calories more efficiently

  • Improving mental performance (hello, sharper thinking at 9 a.m.)

  • Supporting stable energy, so you’re not crashing mid-morning

  • Helping with long-term weight management by curbing extreme hunger later

Starting with a meal packed with fruit, whole grains, and protein means you’re fueling your body to win the day and the week.

Skipping Breakfast? Here's What You're Missing

We get it, morning routines can be a sprint. But when you consistently skip breakfast, studies have found that it can mess with more than just your mood. Effects may include:2

  • Increased risk of weight gain and insulin resistance (your body has a hard time moving sugar out of your blood and into cells for energy).

  • Higher chance of reaching for high-sugar or high-fat snacks later.

  • Lower overall nutrient intake, especially in key vitamins and minerals.

  • Disrupted hunger cues, leading to overeating at later meals.

Skipping breakfast can also negatively impact school performance for kids and teens, not to mention adults trying to bring their A-game to work. The science is clear here. What you eat (or don’t eat) in the morning sets the tone for everything else.

Ingredients That Set the Tone

The Power of Whole, Plant-Based Foods

Not all breakfasts are the same. A cereal packed with sugar won't deliver the same staying power as a smoothie loaded with fruit, oats, and plant-based protein.

Meanwhile, traditional breakfast staples like eggs and yogurt may be packed with protein, but plant-based options, like oats, nuts, and seeds, offer that same energy boost with extra fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats.3

Why plant-based breakfast foods win:3

  • Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

  • Naturally rich in fiber to support digestion and fullness.

  • Lower in processed sugar and unnecessary additives.

  • Full of antioxidants and phytonutrients that protect your health.

At Daily Harvest, our plant-based breakfast delivery, which includes nourishing smoothies, warm breakfast bowls, and irresistible bites, is all about real, healthy breakfast options that start with real, whole ingredients—no shortcuts, no empty calories.

Real Nutrition, Real Results

When you reach for healthy breakfast options packed with protein, fiber, and good fats, you set your body up for: 1, 3

  • Better energy balance throughout the day.

  • Improved concentration and memory.

  • A stronger, more stable metabolism.

  • Long-term support for heart health, digestion, and weight management.

The best part? These benefits aren’t reserved for “perfect” eaters or morning people. They’re available to anyone willing to take five extra minutes to fuel themselves at the beginning of the day.

How Breakfast Impacts Your Bigger Goals

From Morning Wins to Major Milestones

Think of breakfast as a domino that tips into your whole day—and your bigger health goals. A nutritious morning meal has been associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Plus, people who eat breakfast regularly tend to have higher overall diet quality, meaning they naturally consume more fiber, vitamins, and important nutrients.

In other words, small daily choices, like grabbing a smoothie or a bowl packed with protein, build over time into powerful changes for your health.

Energy You Can Feel, Confidence You Can See

Skipping breakfast might save you five minutes...but it can cost you in all-day energy and stamina. Meanwhile, starting with even a simple cup of oats, some berries, or a quick smoothie can help you feel:

  • More fueled during workouts.

  • More focused during meetings.

  • Less tempted by random snack attacks.

  • More in control of your overall nutrition and wellness.

Eating good, feeling good, looking good- it's all connected.

Making Breakfast Work for Busy Lives

Quick, Nourishing, and Actually Delicious

We know mornings can feel like a race against the clock. That’s why breakfast foods that are fast, filling, and full of nutrition are the real MVPs.

Instead of reaching for a sugar-loaded cereal bar or just skipping it altogether, try breakfast recipes built around whole foods like fruit, oats, and plant-based protein.
Quick and healthy breakfast swaps:4

  • Smoothies loaded with berries, oats, and nut butter.

  • Overnight oats topped with fresh fruit and nuts.

  • Breakfast bowls featuring grains, greens, and healthy fats.

  • Toast with avocado, chia seeds, and a sprinkle of pepper.

Whether you're scrambling eggs, tossing fruit into a blender, or grabbing a ready-made breakfast bowl from Daily Harvest, a healthy morning meal doesn't have to take more than a few minutes. In many cases, meal kits save money and time, especially when they deliver nutritious, ready-to-go meals when you need them most.
No More Excuses: Eat Breakfast, Your Way

Busy morning? Running to catch the train? Herding sleepy kids out the door?
You still need that morning meal—and it can still be seriously delicious.

At Daily Harvest, our plant-based breakfast delivery meets you exactly where you are:

No chopping. No complicated recipes. Just real, healthy breakfast options that fit your lifestyle.

Daily Harvest Breakfasts That Raise the Bar

Smoothies + Bowls That Meet You Where You Are

Whether you’re craving something sweet, hearty, or somewhere in between, our breakfast bowls and smoothies are built to deliver serious nutrition without the heavy lifting.

Some favorites:

  • Blueberry+ Cacao Smoothie – Packed with juicy blueberries, rich cacao, creamy bananas, and a hint of kale, it’s a nutrient-dense, feel-good breakfast you can sip on the go.

  • Mulberry + Dragon Fruit Oat Bowl – Naturally sweet, fiber-rich, and loaded with antioxidants to power your morning.

  • Apple + Cinnamon Oat Bowl – Comforting, wholesome, and the perfect healthy breakfast to warm you up on chilly days.

Every serving is packed with nutrients, so you can get all the benefits without sacrificing a second of your busy day. Plus, when you support brands that believe in the benefits of regenerative agriculture, you're not just making a healthier choice, you’re making a world-changing one.

Build a Morning Ritual You Actually Look Forward To

Breakfast shouldn’t feel like another item on your to-do list.
It should feel like a mini celebration: a few minutes of me-time to nourish, recharge, and start the day strong.

An ideal morning ritual might look like this:

  • You wake up (without immediately grabbing your phone).

  • You drink a tall glass of water to rehydrate.

  • You take a few minutes to stretch, breathe, or journal—something that feels grounding.

  • You whip up an easy, nourishing breakfast, like a Daily Harvest High Protein Chocolate Smoothie or a Cinnamon + Banana Oat Bowl.

  • Maybe you step outside for a few deep breaths of fresh air before diving into your day.

That’s it. No pressure to conquer the world before 9 AM.
Just small, sustainable steps that give your body the nutrition it craves and your mind a moment to settle.

Benefits of creating a morning ritual

  • Boost metabolism and energy.

  • Improve mood and mental concentration.

  • Support long-term health goals like weight management and blood sugar balance.

It’s not just about what you eat, it’s about setting the tone for everything else you’re about to crush. And with Daily Harvest’s quick, plant-powered options waiting in your freezer, building that kind of ritual becomes effortless — and actually fun.

Start Strong, Stay Strong with Daily Harvest

When you eat breakfast, you’re doing way more than just putting food in your stomach. You’re choosing energy, focus, confidence, and health, before your day even officially begins.

Skipping breakfast? That’s yesterday’s story. Today’s is about showing up fueled, ready, and proud of the choices you’re making for your body and for your life.

Need a little backup? Daily Harvest has your mornings covered with plant-based breakfast delivery, prepared meals for specific dietary needs, and breakfast bowls that are fast, filling, and full of everything good. Here’s to starting strong and staying strong, one delicious bite at a time.

 

Sources

  1. Maki, K. C., Phillips-Eakley, A. K., & Smith, K. N. (2016). The Effects of Breakfast Consumption and Composition on Metabolic Wellness with a Focus on Carbohydrate Metabolism. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 7(3), 613S–21S. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.010314
  2. Pengpid, S., & Peltzer, K. (2020). Skipping Breakfast and Its Association with Health Risk Behaviour and Mental Health Among University Students in 28 Countries. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy, 13, 2889–2897. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S241670
  3. Harvard Medical School.  What is plant-based diet and why should you try it?. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-why-should-you-try-it-2018092614760
  4. John Hopkins Medicine. Healthy Breakfasts. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/healthy-breakfasts

Carolina Schneider, MS RD

Nutritionist

Carolina Schneider, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and founder of Hungry for Plants. She specializes in plant-based nutrition and has followed a whole-food, vegan diet for nearly a decade. With a background in journalism, marketing and public relations, Carolina is adept in creating nutrition content for health and wellness companies that prioritizes the brand’s positioning to consumers. Her experience, combined with her passion and knowledge, equip her to help companies successfully communicate the nutritional benefits of their products to consumers. Originally from Brazil, Carolina is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Carolina received two degrees in Journalism and Public Relations, which have given her the tools to become a writer and excellent communicator. Additionally, Carolina has years of professional experience in marketing, specifically in the food industry, giving her the knowledge to help brands best position their products to reach new customers and improve brand loyalty. Carolina obtained her Master of Science degree in Nutrition & Dietetics, and is passionate about nutrition science and helping individuals improve health and wellbeing through food.