Yes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, says Heather Leidy, an assistant professor in the University of Missouri’s department of nutrition and exercise physiology. “Everyone knows that eating breakfast is important, but many people still don’t make it a priority.”

Leidy’s research shows that a healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day, making it a valuable strategy to control appetite and regulate food intake. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, she discovered why. Eating a protein-rich breakfast works to reduce the brain signals controlling food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior.