Going without breakfast

cloudpoker992

I know it's said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but is it that important? If I skip breakfast I find myself less hungry throughout the day than when I've has a breakfast. Anyone else skip it? Is skipping breakfast really that bad?

kcd1961

Trust your experience, not someone trying to sell a book. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/myths-surround-breakfast-and-weight/

usmcmp

No. Meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss. Focus on total calories and if you don't want breakfast don't eat it.

TavistockToad

usmcmp wrote: »

No. Meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss. Focus on total calories and if you don't want breakfast don't eat it.

This

Lourdesong

I don't skip it but only because I'll feel ill if I don't get something in my stomach. If breakfast starts up your appetite then nothing wrong with skipping it. When you eat is a matter of preference and what you feel is most sustainable for reaching your goals.

malibu927

If you feel better not eating breakfast, continue that. All that matters is that you're in a calorie deficit.

cloudpoker992

Thanks for the speedy replies! It kinda feels right for me but was worried it wasn't doing me any good.

Pelamblue

Depending on your training regime it may not be hugely important, unless your trying increase bulk, having said that the only time I tend to skip breakfast is if I'm running in the morning. This is sort of fasted training and so far has worked well for fat loss

riffraff2112

I need to eat within minutes of waking up...but my reading has told me a few things
1. for every study that says eating breakfasts can aid in weight loss another says timing of meals is irrelevant in weight loss.
2. Everyone is different so if you are not hungry, and skipping breakfast doesn't cause you to overeat later in the day...keep doing what you are doing.

sofaking6

I eat breakfast only because if I skip it then I am a raging hangry mess for the rest of the day. Listen to your body and just keep alert - if you ever start feeling like later in the day you can't get un-hungry no matter how much you eat, that's a sign to try some breakfast. Other than that I don't really know of any side effects.

zepeda602

I have the same question. I'm not really hungry in the am. I try to have toast with peanut butter tho because if I don't have anything I get sick or noxious by lunch.

brightwell44

I love breakfast but rarely eat it. Maybe twice a week. I don't feel any different when I eat it or not. So I guess Your not alone cloudpoker

Athijade

I don't eat it. The idea of food as soon as I get up just makes me sick to my stomach. It's horrible. I tried to force myself to before (when I believed the myth) but have been much happier just following what my body wants.

lecanto1

I only eat breakfast on Sundays & that is usually around 10:30. I have never been too excited about eating early in the morning, even as a child. As long as I have coffee, I am fine. I don't get light headed or queasy or anything. The only exception is if I take any meds, for example antibiotics or even Tylenol. I need to eat something otherwise my stomach gets torn up.

Linnaea27

It's totally up to you when you eat. It's not necessary to eat breakfast for weight loss and/or health. I eat only small breakfasts (under 300 calories, usually-- because that's all I can stomach in the morning) and only after around 10 am, even if I have to work early. Eating before 10 or so makes me feel incredibly disgusting for a while and then get much hungrier later in the day, so a small, late breakfast is my way. I used to be able to go without breakfast, but years of work and early AM classes changed my habits so that I do need a little something in the morning.

Some people swear by intermittent fasting for weight loss and maintenance-- basically eating only during a certain part of the day, and many people do that by skipping breakfast and eating only between, say, noon and 8 pm. You might find reading up on intermittent fasting interesting.

dubird

I have to eat breakfast, otherwise my blood sugar starts to crash around lunchtime. But not everyone needs breakfast; just depends on how your body is. If no breakfast works for you, awesome. ^_^

JimFsfitnesspal

For me (normal guy, not diabetic), I need to keep my blood sugars and insulin levels steady all day by eating frequent small meals and snacks of protein, fats, and good carbs (fruits and veggies, etc). I limit the bad carbs I consume daily.

It is not a myth that the last and first meals of the day affect your blood levels.

If breakfast does not suit your stomach then maybe you are eating the wrong stuff.

hansmdude

Whatever works for you... nobody knows what works for your particular body better than you... if you're doing fine without breakfast, keep going... if you get lightheaded or hungry eat something... if you find a new method write a book, cash in.

Christine_72

The breakfast is the most important meal of the day studies were funded by the big cereal companies, particularly Kellogs. ....

MKEgal

According to the National Weight Control Registry, one thing the most successful losers have in common is that they eat breakfast.

And if you eat about half your calories for breakfast, then a small dinner (more of a snack) you'll lose more weight than if you skip breakfast, or if you follow the typical American plan of a small breakfast & large dinner (see the last half of this post for the studies, with quotes & links).

So no, you don't have to eat breakfast. Your mother is no longer standing there taking care of you.
But things will likely turn out better if you do.

hesn92

If you don't want to eat then don't. It will just leave room for more calories later on. I really don't get it though because I am sooo hungry when I wake up in the morning!

Barbs2222

I love breakfast foods. Eggs are my favorite. Breakfast is my favorite Dinner

Laddiegirl

I agree that it totally depends on how you are with breakfast. I am super tired and hangry by 11am if I don't eat something. But I work on my feet and am always running around.
But on my days off, I often don't eat breakfast and eat lunch late and feel completely fine. So for me, days that I'm active (workdays), breakfast is pretty essential.

@Barbs2222, eggs are my favorite too. I love eggs for dinner!

KitkatcuteNYC

Î don't follow the traditional meal times ( breakfast/lunch/dinner) I graze throughout the whole day. Usually when I first wake up, I have several cups of tea and maybe an hour later some fruit and it goes on..

cloudpoker992

Thanks for the advice on this - plenty of food for thought!

novembersuse

I skip breakfast. I always find that when it comes to lunchtime, I'm ravenous whether I've had breakfast or not. So I may as well skip it, and it leaves extra calories for the evening.

cloudpoker992

Strangely I find I'm less hungry by midday when I've skipped breakfast than if I've had one - much more likely to snack having had one.

Phoenix_Down

Pelamblue wrote: »

Depending on your training regime it may not be hugely important, unless your trying increase bulk, having said that the only time I tend to skip breakfast is if I'm running in the morning. This is sort of fasted training and so far has worked well for fat loss

A lot of broscience in this. I increased muscle mass during my bulk and frequently skipped breakfast (more accurately, I broke my fast at around noon). This works out better for me as I am not typically hungry until then and if I eat sooner, I'm typically ravenous for the rest of the day. Also, fasted training is personal preference as well. If you're getting a good amount of protein and in a calorie deficit, you will lose fat.

rybo

I am MUCH better off skipping breakfast. If i eat it i am starved all morning and have to keep eating. If i dont eat it i don't get hungry at all until lunch time, and its still not a terrible hunger.

PeachyCarol

rybo wrote: »

I am MUCH better off skipping breakfast. If i eat it i am starved all morning and have to keep eating. If i dont eat it i don't get hungry at all until lunch time, and its still not a terrible hunger.

Same here. I am much happier delaying breakfast. I usually don't eat until about 6 hours after I wake up.

kbmnurse

I say whatever works for you. I NEVER skip any meals. It would be a mortal sin.