Researchers from China have published in BMC Medicine on diet and heart patients and how big breakfasts can actually keep them happier! This is yet another researcher in the field that proves that whatever you eat impacts your mental and physical health.The study revealed that a heart patient was less likely to be depressed if they ate a big, calorie-rich breakfast. The team led by Hongquan Xie of the Harbin Medical University noted the evidences that heart patients "are more likely to develop depression when compared to the general population — and dietary factors have been shown to play an important role in depression occurrence and development."What Does the Study say?The timing of calorie in take is what helps in regulating circadian rhythms, metabolism and fix the disruption in circadian rhythms, which could be a contributor to depression. There have been studies that show that heart patients are already at a heightened risk for depression, thus this new study looked at the possible links between daily meals and a patient's mental health. How was the study conducted?The team looked at the 2003-2018 data from 32,000 Americans who enrolled in the US National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. Almost 3,500 participants of average 66 years of age had heart disease and 554 of those were diagnosed with depression. The study then looked at their eating habit and their schedule throughout a day and the data showed that people who took most calories at breakfast, around 791 calories on average were 30% less prone to depression. Whereas people who ate only 88 calories in breakfast were found to be more depressed. The study also found that when people shift 5% of calories from their lunch or dinner to breakfast, it reduced 5% risk of being diagnosed with depression.The study also did not find levels of particle nutrients like protein or carbohydrates and its link with depression risk. The most important thing from the research was the timing of eating. The team also noted: "When you eat is as important as what you eat. Dietary energy consumption time should coordinate with body clock fluctuations to reduce the risk of depression."What Are The Other Benefits Of Big Breakfast?As per a 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, people who eat a big breakfast burn twice as many calories compared with those who eat a larger dinner. This is also because people's metabolisms are more active after breakfast. What are some of the things you can include in your big breakfast?Eggs: These are packed with protein and healthy fats, which are also great for heart health. Eggs are also versatile and can be cooked in more ways than any other item.Whole Milk and Greek Yogurt: Again, a healthy full-fat product, rich is calories, protein and calcium can make it one of the excellent choices for a high calorie breakfast. Avocado: These too are loaded with healthy fats and fiber. You can slice it, eat it like a spread with a bread toast or use it to make a healthy burrito. Nuts and Seeds: Walnuts, almonds, chia seeds and flaxseeds, all are high calorie-dense and nutrient-rich additions to your breakfast.