Breakfast is the first opportunity in the day to improve overall nutrient intake. Several studies have shown that those who consume breakfast on a daily basis had consistently higher intakes of many micronutrients, some of which have been identified as consistently lacking in U.S. diets, such as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, folate and vitamin B-12. Eating an adequate meal 1 - 2 hours after you wake up gives your body a jump-start at reaching its daily nutrient needs.