Photo Illustration by Michael Uribes/ The Collegian

The sun is barely peeking through your blinds as your alarm sounds off that dreadful ring. You have the option of jumping out of bed and preparing a bowl of Lucky Charms, but like many college students, you hit the snooze button instead.

Eating breakfast has advantages that can last throughout the day and benefits that can help students in the long term like giving your metabolism a kick.

“People who eat breakfast have an easier time losing and maintaining a healthy weight,” said Stephanie Annett, the registered dietitian at the Student Health Center.

For students with extra time in the morning or have a break, they have an option of eating on campus at one of the various food chains.

The University Dining Hall has an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet equipped with an omelet station, fresh fruits, yogurt, hot and cold cereals, eggs to order and more.

The University Student Union (USU) Food Court is offering new breakfast items at Chick-fil-A and Subway. Chick-fil-A has baked buttermilk biscuits with your choice of chicken, sausage or bacon, egg and cheese. Chicken or sausage filled burritos with scrambled eggs, peppers, cheese and onions are also available.

Subway makes an assortment of breakfast sandwiches and melts. Steak, double bacon and black forest ham are served with egg and cheese on sandwich bread or an English muffin. If you’re not craving breakfast, regular Subway sandwiches are available in the morning also.

All breakfast items are served 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday.

“I’m always surprised when students tell me they eat a Subway sandwich for breakfast,” Annett said.

All Subway breakfast sandwiches served on regular bread have five grams of fiber, 22 to 31 grams of protein and 25 percent of your daily-recommended calcium intake.

Subway breakfast melts served on an English muffin have five to six grams of fiber, 13 to 16 grams of protein and 20 percentage of your daily-recommended calcium intake.

“A good breakfast should have calcium, protein and a fruit source,” Annett said.

Egg white sandwiches and melts are also available to students who are looking to save calories.

Subway is located in the USU Food Court, so it’s a fast way for students to eat before their first class or between breaks. Although a Subway sandwich isn’t an ideal breakfast for some students, it’s an easy way to get brain fuel for the day if you’re choosing the right options for a healthy meal.

“Anything you eat within 90 minutes of waking up is considered breakfast,” Annett said.

The USU Snack Bar, next to the bowling alley, has pastries, coffee and Juice It Up! The Satellite Student Union also has a snack bar filled with food items like prepared cold sandwiches, crackers, string cheese and beverages.

Senior construction management major Tyler Nesgis said he likes to make scrambled eggs, bacon and French toast at home when he has time.

“Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day,” Nesgis said. “It gives me energy and the nutrients I need to begin my day.”

Annett said eating breakfast could help prevent students from overeating later in the day, as well as help them make better food choices throughout the day.

Freshman biology major Jasmine Nunez said eating breakfast helps her stay awake during her 8 a.m. class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I feel fuller longer,” Nunez said.

Freshman nursing major Joanna Hernandez said she enjoys a bowl of Cheerios when she has time in the morning, but that doesn’t happen everyday.

“Sometimes I have to wake up early and don’t have time to eat breakfast,” said Hernandez.

Annett advises students to plan their breakfast ahead of time. Students can put a granola bar in their backpack or set their favorite cereal out on the kitchen table the night before.

“The whole point of eating breakfast is because you didn’t eat during the night,” Annett said.

So next time your alarm goes off in the morning, remember this: Ten minutes of extra sleep doesn’t match the benefits of eating breakfast.