Accra: A mother's hustle and bustle is real, but skipping breakfast is a risk to health. Ghanaian mothers have numerous responsibilities to bear, but ensuring a healthy home with the preparation of nutritious meals is an essential role for every mother. Mothers carry a lot, and skipping breakfast makes that load heavier for them due to the consequences involved in skipping a daily breakfast.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Nana Achiaa Ankrah, an Agro-Food Expert, underscored that considering breakfast as non-negotiable is one of the simplest ways to protect energy, mood, and long-term health. She explained that breakfast is crucial for mothers because it provides steady energy and stamina. After 8-10 hours of sleep without food, the human body and brain are running low on glucose. Hence, a balanced breakfast restores blood sugar, so one is less likely to hit that mid-morning crash while juggling kids, work, and the house.
Dr. Ankrah, Founder of Arise Foods Limited, indicated that having breakfast aids in metabolism and weight management. She stressed that eating in the morning kickstarts metabolism. Without it, the body tends to hold onto calories later in the day, and one is more likely to overeat at lunch. For mothers managing postpartum weight or general health, a protein plus fiber breakfast helps with satiety and blood sugar control.
Further, the Agro-Food Expert stated that breakfast serves as a nutrient foundation for the whole family. Mothers often model eating habits for children. "When you eat breakfast, kids are more likely to eat it too. You're also better able to meet micronutrient needs including iron, calcium, and B vitamins, which are critical if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or just recovering from pregnancy," she accentuated.
Giving further clarity, she opined on why it matters for both children and adults to have breakfast. Brain function is associated with taking breakfast. Kids who eat breakfast show better memory, attention, and academic performance, while adults get the same benefit for work, decision-making, and problem-solving. The Arise Foods CEO explained that when mothers eat breakfast, it empowers their mood regulation. Low blood sugar spikes cause irritability and increase stress levels, and breakfast serves as a catalyst to prevent that.
When mothers take breakfast regularly, Dr. Ankrah said it has a long-term health benefit, which is linked to lowering mothers' risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and nutrient deficiencies. Breakfast again, she stressed, also supports immune function, which matters when you are the one everyone else relies on when they are sick. As Ghanaian mothers, for busy mornings, it is important to think of overnight oats with fruit, boiled eggs with whole grain bread, or an organic cereal meal from Arise Foods.
"Taking a small portion of meal as a breakfast is far better than none, because it serves as a fuel for the body just like a vehicle needs fuel to operate," she admonished. Dr. Ankrah addressed that when mothers eat breakfast, the whole household feels the effect, from calmer mornings to better health down the line, and wished all Ghanaian mothers the best in their endeavors.