Breakfast, Exercise and Metabolic Health in Healthy Women

Participants will be asked to arrive to the laboratory between 08:00 and 9:00 am after not eating for between 12-14 hours i.e. in a fasted state (water intake is permitted and encouraged). Participants will then be given one of three test drinks (i.e., breakfast): 1) water only; 2) high carbohydrate drink; or 3) high protein (whey protein) drink. Each of these drinks will also contain 500 mL of water and artificial sweetener. 2 h after breakfast, participants will then exercise on a treadmill for 45 min followed by a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 30 min ad libitum lunch intake. Blood samples, blood pressures and questionnaire (e.g., appetite and mood) will be collected in a regular pattern throughout the trials. Cognitive functions will be tested at baseline, pre-exercise and 2 h post-exercise. Energy balance will be assessed using food diary and an accelerometer for the rest of the day after leaving the laboratory until midnight.