Breakfast is More Than Timing: Research Shows the Importance of High-Quality Protein in the Breakfast Meal

The American Egg Board recently presented and sponsored a panel discussion at the Annual IFT Expo titled Breakfast is More Than Timing. Featuring Douglas Paddon-Jones, PhD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Marie Spano, MS, RD/LD, FISSN, CSCS from the Society of Sports Medicine and Craig "Skip" Julius, CRC, CCS, CEC, Director of Innovation at Pierre Foods. The panel presented pertinent science regarding the role of protein at breakfast in promoting satiety and weight management. Additionally, the panelists discussed the latest consumer trends in food choices for improving health, and practical recommendations for selecting high-quality protein foods and food formulations at breakfast.

Following you willfind our top ten discussion points from the presentation. Next to each statement, click on the Incredible! Egg and listen to commentary as the participants address the key issues.

1. Americans tend to eat carbohydrate-heavy breakfasts and protein-heavy dinners, when for optimal health, they should be distributing their consumption of protein evenly throughout the day.
   
   
   
2. Research has shown that a high protein breakfast not only increases short term satiety, but reduces caloric intake throughout the remainder of the day.
   
   
   
3. Protein has become a "functional superstar" in the food manufacturer's menu of potential product ingredients.
   
   
   
4. Not all proteins are created equal: animal derived proteins are considered complete, which means they include all essential amino acids, the enablers of building muscle tissue.
   
   
   
5. Cravable foods seem to have one thing in common – protein and its complete array of essential amino acids.
   
   
   
6. Protein offers several physiological benefits to those trying to control or lose weight.
   
   
   
7. Schools recognize the importance of protein early in the day as being critical to their students' success.
   
   
   
8. For most people, increasing proteins and commensurately decreasing carbohydrates in their diets will result in better overall health.
   
   
   
9. Nutrition-based interventions using increased protein can substantially reduce or even reverse the lean muscle loss of age-related sarcopenia.
   
   
   
10. Food scientists and manufacturers have a great opportunity to benefit the American diet by formulating cravable products that provide 30 grams of high-quality protein per meal.