Breakfast or No Breakfast?

lizj0nes21

Is it bad to just have a cup of coffee for my breakfast? I logged the calories for the coffee, creamer, and sugar with measuring it all out. I have always been under the impression that I'm supposed to eat breakfast no matter what. But yesterday having breakfast in the morning made me feel horridly more hungry all throughout the day and going by my guidelines of not eating after 8pm to prevent picking and snacking was harder(I still did it but I felt really hungry). Would it be okay to consume all of my calories for the day just in lunch and dinner and small snacks throughout the day?

nomeejerome

Meal timing is personal preference.

Gwen_B

That's a;; I ever have for breakfast!! I haven't had any problems!

LoraF83

Whatever makes you feel better is what you should do.

Personally, I just drink coffee in the mornings because I'm not hungry and I'm not doing anything strenuous (just working at a desk). However, if I have a long run day, I get up a little early and eat some oatmeal for fuel.

Meal timing is about personal performance and preferences. Eat when it works for you.


This includes after 8pm, if needed. There is no start time in the mornings and there is no cut off time at night.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Whatever you prefer.

lizj0nes21

Whatever makes you feel better is what you should do.

Personally, I just drink coffee in the mornings because I'm not hungry and I'm not doing anything strenuous (just working at a desk). However, if I have a long run day, I get up a little early and eat some oatmeal for fuel.

Meal timing is about personal performance and preferences. Eat when it works for you.


This includes after 8pm, if needed. There is no start time in the mornings and there is no cut off time at night.

Thanks! The reason I have myself a cut off time at night is because that's when I lounge around with my fiancé and I pick and snak on whatever junk I can find and I know that's not good for me. It's actually really working too! With my cut off time of 8pm I have a snack shortly before then to hold me off for the night and I just drink water. It also makes me feel accomplished like I'm beating myself at something that was a bad habit before and I love it. I even completely cut out soda, which was my main drink 24/7 and it was Mountain Dew code red. I cut it off cold turkey and replaced it with water and no water is all I drink. Yesterday was my first day of not getting a caffeine withdrawal headache so bad that it would bring me I my knees and bring me to tears. With drinking water (and the occasional cup of coffee) and cutting my junk binging I feel great!
I appreciate your response, it was useful and I'll keep it in mind of eating breakfast for fuel when I know I have a strenuous day ahead of me

GothicaAdore

Eating breakfast makes you more mentally aware throughout the day. I eat breakfast every day.

albayin

Eating breakfast makes you more mentally aware throughout the day. I eat breakfast every day.

I agree with other posters: this totally depends on each individual...

LoraF83

Whatever makes you feel better is what you should do.

Personally, I just drink coffee in the mornings because I'm not hungry and I'm not doing anything strenuous (just working at a desk). However, if I have a long run day, I get up a little early and eat some oatmeal for fuel.

Meal timing is about personal performance and preferences. Eat when it works for you.


This includes after 8pm, if needed. There is no start time in the mornings and there is no cut off time at night.

Thanks! The reason I have myself a cut off time at night is because that's when I lounge around with my fiancé and I pick and snak on whatever junk I can find and I know that's not good for me. It's actually really working too! With my cut off time of 8pm I have a snack shortly before then to hold me off for the night and I just drink water. It also makes me feel accomplished like I'm beating myself at something that was a bad habit before and I love it. I even completely cut out soda, which was my main drink 24/7 and it was Mountain Dew code red. I cut it off cold turkey and replaced it with water and no water is all I drink. Yesterday was my first day of not getting a caffeine withdrawal headache so bad that it would bring me I my knees and bring me to tears. With drinking water (and the occasional cup of coffee) and cutting my junk binging I feel great!
I appreciate your response, it was useful and I'll keep it in mind of eating breakfast for fuel when I know I have a strenuous day ahead of me

If not eating after 8pm is working for you, then by all means go for it!

I just wanted to stress that there is no cut off time because many people believe that anything you eat after a certain time will turn to fat automatically. That's not the case. Our bodies work 24/7 to metabolize our food. They don't shut down at 6pm or 8pm or even 10pm. But behavior modification is a big part of weight loss, so if you manage your day better by having a cutoff at 8pm, good for you! That's why personal preference is so important.

kristenn9715

I feel like everyone always says that you must eat a breakfast. idk i dont really think that. It's not like ur gonna gain weight from not eating breakfast lol. At least i don't. I'd eat breakfast one day then not another day. I dont think it really matters. But it's probably best to eat breakfast. Apparently that should be ur biggest meal of the day

lizj0nes21

Whatever makes you feel better is what you should do.

Personally, I just drink coffee in the mornings because I'm not hungry and I'm not doing anything strenuous (just working at a desk). However, if I have a long run day, I get up a little early and eat some oatmeal for fuel.

Meal timing is about personal performance and preferences. Eat when it works for you.


This includes after 8pm, if needed. There is no start time in the mornings and there is no cut off time at night.

Thanks! The reason I have myself a cut off time at night is because that's when I lounge around with my fiancé and I pick and snak on whatever junk I can find and I know that's not good for me. It's actually really working too! With my cut off time of 8pm I have a snack shortly before then to hold me off for the night and I just drink water. It also makes me feel accomplished like I'm beating myself at something that was a bad habit before and I love it. I even completely cut out soda, which was my main drink 24/7 and it was Mountain Dew code red. I cut it off cold turkey and replaced it with water and no water is all I drink. Yesterday was my first day of not getting a caffeine withdrawal headache so bad that it would bring me I my knees and bring me to tears. With drinking water (and the occasional cup of coffee) and cutting my junk binging I feel great!
I appreciate your response, it was useful and I'll keep it in mind of eating breakfast for fuel when I know I have a strenuous day ahead of me

If not eating after 8pm is working for you, then by all means go for it!

I just wanted to stress that there is no cut off time because many people believe that anything you eat after a certain time will turn to fat automatically. That's not the case. Our bodies work 24/7 to metabolize our food. They don't shut down at 6pm or 8pm or even 10pm. But behavior modification is a big part of weight loss, so if you manage your day better by having a cutoff at 8pm, good for you! That's why personal preference is so important.

Thanks! You've been a lot of help, I appreciate it!

albayin

Whatever makes you feel better is what you should do.

Personally, I just drink coffee in the mornings because I'm not hungry and I'm not doing anything strenuous (just working at a desk). However, if I have a long run day, I get up a little early and eat some oatmeal for fuel.

Meal timing is about personal performance and preferences. Eat when it works for you.


This includes after 8pm, if needed. There is no start time in the mornings and there is no cut off time at night.

Thanks! The reason I have myself a cut off time at night is because that's when I lounge around with my fiancé and I pick and snak on whatever junk I can find and I know that's not good for me. It's actually really working too! With my cut off time of 8pm I have a snack shortly before then to hold me off for the night and I just drink water. It also makes me feel accomplished like I'm beating myself at something that was a bad habit before and I love it. I even completely cut out soda, which was my main drink 24/7 and it was Mountain Dew code red. I cut it off cold turkey and replaced it with water and no water is all I drink. Yesterday was my first day of not getting a caffeine withdrawal headache so bad that it would bring me I my knees and bring me to tears. With drinking water (and the occasional cup of coffee) and cutting my junk binging I feel great!
I appreciate your response, it was useful and I'll keep it in mind of eating breakfast for fuel when I know I have a strenuous day ahead of me

If not eating after 8pm is working for you, then by all means go for it!

I just wanted to stress that there is no cut off time because many people believe that anything you eat after a certain time will turn to fat automatically. That's not the case. Our bodies work 24/7 to metabolize our food. They don't shut down at 6pm or 8pm or even 10pm. But behavior modification is a big part of weight loss, so if you manage your day better by having a cutoff at 8pm, good for you! That's why personal preference is so important.

Amen!
:drinker:

albayin

Isn't it the Kellogg's company who primarily promoted this breakfast idea? Just saying...

CouleeRunner

I do as well on my non-breakfast days as I do on my breakfast days. I eat depending on my mood and hunger.

Meal timing is a preference and does not determine success.

tehboxingkitteh

Eating breakfast makes you more mentally aware throughout the day. I eat breakfast every day.

Coffee works for me :flowerforyou:

OP, if eating breakfast works for you, then, by all means, eat it. But you don't have to eat specific meals or at specific times to lose weight.

bbylaura22

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

If you're trying to be healthy, yes, eat breakfast. Nothing too big but at least something.

If you're trying to lose weight, no, you don't have to.

Personally I eat breakfast now because I go straight to my workout after and I'm exhausted if I don't eat anything. But if you're not doing much throughout the day, I wouldn't eat the calories.

albayin

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

If you're trying to be healthy, yes, eat breakfast. Nothing too big but at least something.

If you're trying to lose weight, no, you don't have to.

Personally I eat breakfast now because I go straight to my workout after and I'm exhausted if I don't eat anything. But if you're not doing much throughout the day, I wouldn't eat the calories.

How does my body know it's 8 pm and needs to slow down? just curious...

extraordinary_machine

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

If you're trying to be healthy, yes, eat breakfast. Nothing too big but at least something.

If you're trying to lose weight, no, you don't have to.

Personally I eat breakfast now because I go straight to my workout after and I'm exhausted if I don't eat anything. But if you're not doing much throughout the day, I wouldn't eat the calories.

No. Just...no.

egrusy

In for science :drinker:

tm82001

I love a big breakfast and would become a serial killer without it. I need sustenance in the morning! My hubby, on the other hand, rarely eats breakfast and loves a big lunch instead. Find what works for you and just stick to it...Good luck

aka_Kamalevantis

I only ever have a coffee, Actimel drink & a banana before going to work, I usually have my proper breakfast (oats so simple, weetabix or toast) about 2-3 hours after starting work. xXx

skinnyinnotime

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

If you're trying to be healthy, yes, eat breakfast. Nothing too big but at least something.

If you're trying to lose weight, no, you don't have to.

Personally I eat breakfast now because I go straight to my workout after and I'm exhausted if I don't eat anything. But if you're not doing much throughout the day, I wouldn't eat the calories.

What a load of nonsense.

Please, no one listen to this

wild_wild_life

What happened to the other thread you started about this? Or am I in an alternate reality?

VpinkLotus

I was a breakfast avoider for years. I only had coffee and was so busy in the morning I never even thought of food until after noon. When I started on mfp I read that sumo wrestlers actually skip breakfast on purpose to trick their bodies to go into starvation as a way to put on weight. this was so horrifying to me that I vowed a year ago to be a reformed breakfast skipper. I am doing well and have a good breakfast most evey day now. Now I think breakfast is inportant for many reasons.

Lleldiranne

I've found that I do best if I wait until I'm hungry to eat breakfast. Sometimes it's soon after I get up. Other days it isn't until 10:00 or later. I've noticed that a lot of it is linked to what/how much/how late I ate the evening before, It works for me and doesn't seem to be inhibiting my progress (body recomp is my main goal right now). Of course, if I wait until I'm overly hungry then I do tend to eat too much, so it's important to know your body's cues. I've also learned that I do best with morning workouts before breakfast (or afternoon when I haven't eaten within at least an hour … too recently after eating and I get nauseated), but if I'm hungry when I first wake it's better to eat a Clif bar or something light like that to not upset my stomach but also not get dizzy/sick during the workout.

Bottom line, find what works best for you. Meal timing has little correlation to weight loss, and most if it has to do with calorie control rather than timing itself.

thesimsisters

On weekdays I work, so I have to be there early at 7am. I eat oatmeal each morning before work. On weekends I don't eat breakfast as I have a bigger portion lunch or dinner.

lynn1982

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

ahahahahahaha...good one.

OP: I addressed this issue in your other thread which seems to have disappeared?? Anyway, I too don't eat after 8pm, not because I think whatever I eat will miraculously turn into fat, but because like you (the OP), I will spend the entire evening snacking and picking away at various foods in my kitchen. I find what helps is having a cup of tea (or sometimes soup broth) around 8pm. Little to no calories and my mouth is still "busy." Not sure if you do that or need any tricks, but that's what helps with the snacking at night for me (it seems like your lack of breakfast is due to a fear of snacking later on in the day? I personally eat breakfast because I'm hungry in the morning and if I don't then I'll binge at lunch time, but I'll potentially snack at night either way.)

F00LofaT00K

You don't have to eat breakfast if you don't want to. I like to get some calories in first thing in the morning because I've noticed that it helps me stay focused at work. Each person is different though. As long as you get enough food throughout the day, it really doesn't matter when you're getting it. Honestly. Scientifically.

Kevalicious99

When you wake up in the morning your metabolism is at an all time high, that's the best time to eat a lot of calories because your body can handle it and it won't turn into fat. At night, I'd say anywhere after 8, your metabolism slows down and calories will be processed into fat cells, not energy cells.

If you're trying to be healthy, yes, eat breakfast. Nothing too big but at least something.

If you're trying to lose weight, no, you don't have to.

Personally I eat breakfast now because I go straight to my workout after and I'm exhausted if I don't eat anything. But if you're not doing much throughout the day, I wouldn't eat the calories.

How does my body know it's 8 pm and needs to slow down? just curious...

This **** always makes me laugh. The body just doesn't work that way .. there is nothing wrong with eating after 8.

connorsdad07

I eat breakfast most days, but there are ones where I don't. Sometimes I will eat breakfast but maybe not lunch and like you asked I eat more small meals throughout the day. I tend to lose more weight in a day when I do the later, but I do get busy and overly hungry sometimes too. I think everyone is different, but all of our bodies work 24/7 so I think the reason for not eating after 8pm or any time before bed is so you don't lay there with food (unmetabolized) in your stomach and gain weight from that since you don't burn that many calories while you sleep.

I like to, if possible, to eat greek yogurt for breakfast with maybe a banana and I usually stay full for a few hours. Main thing I got from my nutrionist if make sure to eat protein with everything so you get full and stay more full longer. I like to eat a lot of yogurt because there's a wide variety now, full of protein, and it's not heavy on my stomach so I don't get the "yucky" feeling that greasy foods give you.


Maybe try some low sodium lunch meat with reduced fat cheese rolled up, hard boiled egg, or yogurt (I like cranraisins in mine) with fruit as a light and filling solution.

Good luck and I hope this helped ...