breakfast - to eat or not?

djpulford
djpulford Posts: 2
in Getting Started
Hi,
I am just starting out on my weight loss venture and am a little nervous as I have been here many times before and have failed every time.

Thought I'd give MFP a try as I've seen it work wonders for my friends.
My quandry however is I keep getting conflicting advice so am not sure what to do.

I am constantly being told not to eat if I am not hungry but then get slammed for not eating breakfast.

The problem I have is that I do not generally get hungry until between 12 & 3pm.
If I eat before this time and I am not truly hungry I feel ravenous for the rest of the day (no matter what I have for breakfast) which is not helpful at all.

So what do I do?

Eat breakfast and kick off my constant hunger or wait till later when I am actually hungry?

I also really struggle when I am working as I work 12.5hr shifts in a hospital. When i am on nights I am more of a nibbler than a meal eater but fruit just doesn't cut it. What are the best nibbles and snacks that I can just leave on my desk?

Helpful advice/suggestions welcome. Am in a really low place and struggling with my weight issues right now so no negative comments please.

Donna
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Replies

  • Lindyandcheryl
    Lindyandcheryl Posts: 9 Member
    Eat it whether you want to or not! Lots of protein....egg beaters and turkey sausage, it jump starts your metabolism. Read/search "fueling metabolism"......need protein steadily throughout the day. You should be hungry in the morning provided you didn't eat too much the day before!
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Eat it whether you want to or not! Lots of protein....egg beaters and turkey sausage, it jump starts your metabolism. Read/search "fueling metabolism"......need protein steadily throughout the day. You should be hungry in the morning provided you didn't eat too much the day before!
    No it does not jump start your metabolism. You are not a car your metabolism works 24 hours a day. Meal timing is just personal preference

    Just find eating times that work for you and fit within your day activity
  • tennisgirl444
    tennisgirl444 Posts: 57 Member
    Research generally shows that people who eat breakfast lose weight.... if they don't normally eat breakfast. It also shows that people who skip breakfast lose weight... if they normally eat breakfast. For years, there was the "eat breakfast" debate because it led to weight loss in people who didn't eat breakfast. However, it appears that if you're overeating, any significant change in your eating patterns (ex. skipping meals, adding in meals, etc.) for the purpose of weight loss/calorie counting/etc. can be beneficial. So the moral is, don't worry about whether or not you're eating breakfast for now, but if you plateau, or have trouble losing weight, you might want to try switching up your typical eating pattern and see if you notice any changes!
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    breakfast of champions


    2llc9op.jpg
  • WolverhamptonFitness
    WolverhamptonFitness Posts: 233 Member
    Eat it whether you want to or not! Lots of protein....egg beaters and turkey sausage, it jump starts your metabolism. Read/search "fueling metabolism"......need protein steadily throughout the day. You should be hungry in the morning provided you didn't eat too much the day before!
    No it does not jump start your metabolism. You are not a car your metabolism works 24 hours a day. Meal timing is just personal preference

    Just find eating times that work for you and fit within your day activity

    Im not sure how true this is - you might be right, but I believe there is a reason why people say it does start your metabolism.

    Obviously it doesnt completely stop or start, but there is truth in the fact that it slows down when your not doing anything, or sleeping and speeds up when your body has taken food in.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    [/quote]No it does not jump start your metabolism. You are not a car your metabolism works 24 hours a day. Meal timing is just personal preference

    Just find eating times that work for you and fit within your day activity
    [/quote]

    ^^Exactly this. Trial and error. Find what works for you. This is all about what will keep you going and give you the results you want. General guidelines. What works for some, may, or may not work for you! Finding your way is half the battle. Best of luck to you!
  • krennie8
    krennie8 Posts: 301 Member
    up to you! i change it up. If I'm hungry I'll eat breakfast (like right now!) but I generally try to keep it small if I do b/c I know that for me I want a decent sized lunch especially and then to eat something other than a small salad for dinner. With 1500 calories/day, not easily done (imho). So, skipping breakfast when possible allows me to have that 900-1000 calorie lunch without going over my daily limit.

    So, imho, just find what works for you and go with it!
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Breakfast does not "boost" your metabolism. Any time you eat food you require energy to process/digest the food, but this is essentially a percentage of what's eaten. Whether you eat X amount of food over 6 meals or eat it in 2 meals the difference in thermic effect is basically negligible.

    Now, breakfast may have a profound effect on your dietary compliance, but that can go both ways. There are people who prefer to skip (delay may be a better term) breakfast because in doing so they have an easier time adhering to their calorie intake. There are also people who experience better satiation throughout the day by eating breakfast (eating breakfast basically makes it easier for them to not overeat later in the day).

    Consequently, this is one of those topics where "do what's best for you" really makes the most sense.
  • biggsterjackster
    biggsterjackster Posts: 419 Member
    Yes, if I don't eat breakfast I snack sugary stuff all day and gain weight.
  • lolabluola
    lolabluola Posts: 212 Member
    Breakfast does not "boost" your metabolism. Any time you eat food you require energy to process/digest the food, but this is essentially a percentage of what's eaten. Whether you eat X amount of food over 6 meals or eat it in 2 meals the difference in thermic is basically negligible.

    Now, breakfast may have a profound effect on your dietary compliance, but that can go both ways. There are people who prefer to skip (delay may be a better term) breakfast because in doing so they have an easier time adhering to their calorie intake. There are also people who experience better satiation throughout the day by eating breakfast (eating breakfast basically makes it easier for them to not overeat later in the day).

    Consequently, this is one of those topics where "do what's best for you" really makes the most sense.

    wow. well said!
  • Beckilovespizza
    Beckilovespizza Posts: 334 Member
    I rarely eat breakfast and my metabolism is just fine :) eat when u are hungry and dont be ruled by times. On the days i do eat breakfast i find myself hungry all morning until lunch.
  • chene249
    chene249 Posts: 33 Member
    In the end i think you have to figure out what works for you. I went without breakfast for a period... was totally fine, and then now I'm back on breakfast, just because I miss those breakfast foods.

    Do what works for you - experiment for a couple of weeks, see how you feel, take measurements (not scale) and determine how your body is best going to perform. Do you work out? Maybe breakfast is good etc etc.

    Things to consider! (:
  • Kate7294
    Kate7294 Posts: 783 Member
    I personally have to eat something by 8-10 a.m. everyday myself. I get up at 6:30 a.m.
    Though when I worked 4yrs at nightshift job 12hrs. I wouldn't eat till I'd been at work a couple hours. .....Usually 1 meal.

    I do eat more often now. (PCOS and no longer pre-diabetic here) ***When you eat try not to eat too many carbs, more protein at least in your first meal. See if you still feel the same way. Good luck!
  • ink_b1tch
    ink_b1tch Posts: 101
    I am not a breakfast person, so I drink my protein shake in the morning sitting at my desk. Even though I am not hungry I am at least doing something. Snacks I like, nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, raisins, cranraisins....I try to focus on either protien or getting one or two of my fruits in. Nuts seem to make my hunger at bay.
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    Cheese sticks, protein bars, nuts, fresh veggies and hummus are my go to snacks
  • AsianDanDQ
    AsianDanDQ Posts: 9
    The MFP will allow you to track your calorie intake, but the timing of the meals are also important. A 1000 calorie meal in the morning and a 1000 calorie meal before bedtime aren't the same. The morning meal can be burned off as energy throughout the day, and the bedtime meal stores it as fat. So, my advice would be don't eat a lot if you're going to bed soon. As far as snacks, almonds and pistachios work good for me, tasty and filling. Do watch the labels as you will know how much you're taking in. It won't be easy, but stay the course. Believe you can do it, and you will.
  • WildflowerGypsy
    WildflowerGypsy Posts: 4
    [/quote]No it does not jump start your metabolism. You are not a car your metabolism works 24 hours a day. Meal timing is just personal preference

    Just find eating times that work for you and fit within your day activity
    [/quote]

    Agreed!
  • WildflowerGypsy
    WildflowerGypsy Posts: 4
    i agree :-)
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Breakfast does not "boost" your metabolism. Any time you eat food you require energy to process/digest the food, but this is essentially a percentage of what's eaten. Whether you eat X amount of food over 6 meals or eat it in 2 meals the difference in thermic effect is basically negligible.

    Now, breakfast may have a profound effect on your dietary compliance, but that can go both ways. There are people who prefer to skip (delay may be a better term) breakfast because in doing so they have an easier time adhering to their calorie intake. There are also people who experience better satiation throughout the day by eating breakfast (eating breakfast basically makes it easier for them to not overeat later in the day).

    Consequently, this is one of those topics where "do what's best for you" really makes the most sense.

    Listen to this. This guy knows what he's talking about.
  • MegE_N
    MegE_N Posts: 245 Member
    Some people do the intermittent fasting thing (aka strategically skipping a meal) but it's not recommended for people who have portion control issues. I cut down to a very light breakfast (coffee and turkey bacon) and that's been working for me for the past few weeks - it keeps me full later into the day but also is low on my calorie count.

    Don't let people 'slam' you for anything - part of being on this site is finding what works best for you.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Breakfast does not "boost" your metabolism. Any time you eat food you require energy to process/digest the food, but this is essentially a percentage of what's eaten. Whether you eat X amount of food over 6 meals or eat it in 2 meals the difference in thermic effect is basically negligible.

    Now, breakfast may have a profound effect on your dietary compliance, but that can go both ways. There are people who prefer to skip (delay may be a better term) breakfast because in doing so they have an easier time adhering to their calorie intake. There are also people who experience better satiation throughout the day by eating breakfast (eating breakfast basically makes it easier for them to not overeat later in the day).

    Consequently, this is one of those topics where "do what's best for you" really makes the most sense.

    can we just make a sticky thread with this as the one and only post?
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    If you don't want to eat breakfast, don't eat it
  • YalithKBK
    YalithKBK Posts: 317 Member
    Whether or not do eat is up to you. Personally, I usually wake up starving so I can hardly wait to get my hands on food in the morning. Really, what I have found works best is consistency. Eat the same size meals at the same times of day whether you are working or it's your day off. I have had a couple different life schedules so far (everything from getting up at 5am to, a few years later, working a job until 2am and going to bed at 4am). I have found that once I settled into a routine, my body adjusts and 90% of the time I will start to get hungry only when "meal times" are approaching. Just my two cents.
  • bonkosaurusrex
    bonkosaurusrex Posts: 71
    Calorie deficit = weight loss. Doesn't matter if you choose to eat breakfast or not. Though, I don't know why you wouldn't. Breakfast is awesome! Lunch and dinner are pretty wonderful too.
  • RAinWA
    RAinWA Posts: 1,980 Member
    The MFP will allow you to track your calorie intake, but the timing of the meals are also important. A 1000 calorie meal in the morning and a 1000 calorie meal before bedtime aren't the same. The morning meal can be burned off as energy throughout the day, and the bedtime meal stores it as fat. So, my advice would be don't eat a lot if you're going to bed soon. As far as snacks, almonds and pistachios work good for me, tasty and filling. Do watch the labels as you will know how much you're taking in. It won't be easy, but stay the course. Believe you can do it, and you will.

    Your body only stores calories as fat if you exceed the number of calories you burn off. When you eat those calories is up to you. Your body won't store food as fat just because you ate close to bedtime.
  • Lourdesong
    Lourdesong Posts: 1,492 Member
    If you lived in medieval Europe, they would say "Not."

    Eating breakfast (eating when you wake) was considered gluttonous.

    "Break fast" was only appropriate after you went to Church and received communion. Or if you were sick, elderly, etc. Otherwise, breakfast was severely frowned upon.

    But now if you don't eat breakfast, you're looked upon as Medieval's looked at those who did eat breakfast.

    Maybe this little bit of history regarding the cultural importance placed on breakfast will help you decide to do whatever works for you, and happily ignore the finger-wagging whether it be from Medieval's or modern people today.
  • klledbetter
    klledbetter Posts: 1
    The MFP will allow you to track your calorie intake, but the timing of the meals are also important. A 1000 calorie meal in the morning and a 1000 calorie meal before bedtime aren't the same.

    People have GOT to stop spreading this ridiculous "fact". A calorie is a calorie is a calorie. It doesn't matter if you eat it at 1 in the morning or 1 in the afternoon. Ask any competent, trained dietician and they'll tell you so.
  • djpulford
    djpulford Posts: 2
    Wow, thanks for al the help and advice. Think I'll go with what my body tells me and eat when I'm hungry. I will also keep reading and listening to advice given to me by fellow MFP users.

    Still feeling nervous but optimistic. I have entered my details and have been given 1247 calories a day (arghhh!!!) this is going to be a large shock to the system.

    I have tried many diets/healthy eating plans in the past and have never succeeded for more than a few weeks then i gain whatever iv lost plus a stone on top. I feel so unhealthy and need to do this for me and my family. They are all worried I am killing myself with food, which I suppose they are right but I cant see the light at the end of the tunnel.
  • princessbessica
    princessbessica Posts: 25 Member
    For every person who tells you you really should eat breakfast, there will be someone else who tells you you don't need to!

    The bottom line is - if eating breakfast works for you - go for it.
    If it doesn't, then don't worry - just do what works.

    I too get super hungry after eating in the morning, and I eat too much. I'm out of calories by mid afternoon, so I end up over my allowance and have to sit on the exercise bike before bed to work them off again :-(

    If I don't eat breakfast - I have an early lunch instead (11.30) and know that I can have a substantial evening meal. When I do it this way, I usually have calories left at the end of the day for a snack.

    I also felt that I should eat breakfast and persevered for months, but I'm just about to let it go and I feel happier already.

    Better to do things your way if they work rather than the 'right' way and fail.

    Good luck :-)
  • geneva042
    geneva042 Posts: 51
    I never ate breakfast before

    Now I do since a while, I realized it helped me not eat as much during the day :)

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