Breakfast. Is it really necessary?

mncardiojunkie
mncardiojunkie Posts: 307 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is it really necessary?

My personal trainer at the health club and my GP have preached at me about this. I've never been one for breakfast.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference
  • Jingram2b
    Jingram2b Posts: 25
    When you eat is largely irrelevant, despite popular sentiment. The post above me is spot on.

    However, when you eat does tend to help folks mentally -- which is half the battle for a lot of people. If it makes you feel better to eat a meal early in the day, do it. If not, don't.

    It's much more important to eat quality food and avoid processed food.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    ^^This.
  • GreatSetOfBrains
    GreatSetOfBrains Posts: 675 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol
  • Lorleee
    Lorleee Posts: 369 Member
    Try it for a few days. I used to hate breakfast, too, until I got used to it. Now my body needs it. I've been advised that it jump starts your metabolism for the day.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    check out his diary. guy pretty much consumes all his calories at one meal. works for him.

    me, i just can't sit and eat that much at once, so i eat about 4 hours. and i love breakfast. to each there own.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes.
    Truth.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    It MAY be 'necessary' for psychological reasons, but that's about it. Some people find themselves very hungry if they skip breakfast and have a tendency to snack more or overeat at lunch when they do that.

    From a purely physiological perspective it doesn't matter if you eat a bunch of small meals or fewer, bigger ones.
  • gmthompson76
    gmthompson76 Posts: 1
    If its typical "breakfast food" that you don't care for, you don't have to eat it. You can eat other types of food at "breakfast time".
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    The first meal of the day is pretty necessary. But how early that needs to be is an individual thing.
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    I never eat breakfast. I just have a hard time doing so.

    But I have had a couple of weeks where I literally force myself to eat breakfast. And I always had a great weigh in the week after.

    I've heard it makes a huge difference in weigh loss, and I think that's so true.
  • GreatSetOfBrains
    GreatSetOfBrains Posts: 675 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes.
    Truth.

    Oh I've seen it lol! I'd love to eat it like that. I get told to eat all the time and then told id doesn't matter lol I'd love to skp breakfast!lol
  • Jingram2b
    Jingram2b Posts: 25
    The first meal of the day is pretty necessary.

    Only if you eat once per day :)
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    I've heard it makes a huge difference in weigh loss, and I think that's so true.

    You've heard from who/where? There is actual proof out there to show as long as you keep your calorie deficit it actually makes no difference whatsoever. It's all calories consumed throughout the 24 hours. WHEN you eat them makes no difference.
  • gaberieger
    gaberieger Posts: 69
    Two thoughts: 1) it's good to get the metabolism fire burning, or 2) if you're not hungry, don't eat (primal).

    So the answer is NO or personal preference, as mentioned above.
  • blondejillie
    blondejillie Posts: 305 Member
    I personally am not a big breakfast eater...but find it helps to have a protein shake early and something more substantial later.
  • kbw414
    kbw414 Posts: 194
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This would lead to low blood sugar, which is not healthy.
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This is so NOT true!!! And I hope no one takes this for face value. I have read and heard a million times that eating close to bedtime is not a good idea and can affect weight loss. Now, I'm no professional, but my experience has proved to me that this is completely true.

    Many times I have had to eat some stuff before bed just trying to get in the calories I lack for the day. And I;m not talking unhealthy snacks. But either way, it was a BIG mistake! Every single time I have ever done this, my weigh ins were not good. I would either maintain or gain. Never lost!

    I've been told it's because your spiking your sugar levels. I have also been told that the reason not to eat right before bed is because we use energy while sleeping. Therefore, calories burned over night. Not if you have food digesting.
  • bratius
    bratius Posts: 60
    Nope but I can't function if I don't eat something for breakfast
  • dirtbikegirl5
    dirtbikegirl5 Posts: 391 Member
    I have an apple on the way to work after I have been up for a couple of hours. I work out without eating and I don't find that I have any less energy doing so.
  • lchovet
    lchovet Posts: 68
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    check out his diary. guy pretty much consumes all his calories at one meal. works for him.

    me, i just can't sit and eat that much at once, so i eat about 4 hours. and i love breakfast. to each there own.

    Also doesn't look like he needs to LOSE weight either.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    Yes, exactly right. My Dr told me to eat if hungry and don't eat if not hungry. No need to force food............My Dr also has a secondary degree as a registered dietician and holistic nutrition.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,198 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This would lead to low blood sugar, which is not healthy.
    Not neccessarily.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This is so NOT true!!! And I hope no one listen to this. I have read and heard a million times that eating close to bedtime is not a good idea and can affect weight loss. I have found this to be completely true.

    Many times I have had to eat some stuff before bed just trying to get in the calories I lack for the day. Big mistake! Every single time I have ever done this, my weigh ins were not good. I would either maintain or gain. Never lost!
    I've been told it's because your spiking your sugar levels. I have also been told that the reason not to eat right before bed is because we use energy while sleeping. Therefore, calories burned over night. Not if you have food digesting.

    So you think breakfast makes a huge difference to weight loss, and that eating late also affects weight loss?

    Ok. Please, show me some peer-reviewed research to back up these claims that i am giving false information.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    This is so NOT true!!! And I hope no one takes this for face value. I have read and heard a million times that eating close to bedtime is not a good idea and can affect weight loss. Now, I'm no professional, but my experience has proved to me that this is completely true.

    Many times I have had to eat some stuff before bed just trying to get in the calories I lack for the day. And I;m not talking unhealthy snacks. But either way, it was a BIG mistake! Every single time I have ever done this, my weigh ins were not good. I would either maintain or gain. Never lost!

    I've been told it's because your spiking your sugar levels. I have also been told that the reason not to eat right before bed is because we use energy while sleeping. Therefore, calories burned over night. Not if you have food digesting.

    You are confusing water weight with fat gain. And in your readings what did it say about eating like a stick of butter before bed since that would have no effect on your blood sugar levels, is that ok?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This is so NOT true!!! And I hope no one listen to this. I have read and heard a million times that eating close to bedtime is not a good idea and can affect weight loss. I have found this to be completely true.

    Many times I have had to eat some stuff before bed just trying to get in the calories I lack for the day. Big mistake! Every single time I have ever done this, my weigh ins were not good. I would either maintain or gain. Never lost!
    I've been told it's because your spiking your sugar levels. I have also been told that the reason not to eat right before bed is because we use energy while sleeping. Therefore, calories burned over night. Not if you have food digesting.

    I eat roughly 1/2 my daily calories just before bed every night. I met my goal last April, exceeded throughout the next few months and have maintained since. Actually, if my scale is correct I seem to have begun losing slowly again, though I haven't changed anything.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    Not necessary as increased meal frequency does not offer a metabolic advantage. Breakfast and # of meals per day is a personal preference

    So I can eat once a day? lol

    Yes. You could eat your entire day's calories right before bed if you so wish, as long as you don't create a calorie excess.

    This is so NOT true!!! And I hope no one takes this for face value. I have read and heard a million times that eating close to bedtime is not a good idea and can affect weight loss. Now, I'm no professional, but my experience has proved to me that this is completely true.

    Many times I have had to eat some stuff before bed just trying to get in the calories I lack for the day. And I;m not talking unhealthy snacks. But either way, it was a BIG mistake! Every single time I have ever done this, my weigh ins were not good. I would either maintain or gain. Never lost!

    I've been told it's because your spiking your sugar levels. I have also been told that the reason not to eat right before bed is because we use energy while sleeping. Therefore, calories burned over night. Not if you have food digesting.

    It doesn't matter what time of the day or night one eats..............

    And again, it is not so much about the calories as it is about the nutrient content of the food we eat.

    I am a believer in Intermittent Fasting. Some days I do short fasts and other days long ones.................So sometimes I eat 2 times per day and other days I eat only once.

    And yet again, it depends on what your eating to determine if the blood sugar levels are spiked. Me, I am a fat and protein and very little carbs girl, so blood sugar stays pretty stable with little rise in insulin.
  • lexagon
    lexagon Posts: 495 Member
    I used to hate eating breakfast, just seemed silly to me and required me to get up a little earlier than I wanted LOL

    I finally started eating breakfast again and it's changed my day honestly. Sounds kinda weird, but I end up having so much more energy throughout the day if I have a good breakfast. I never believed that growing up, but then again I didn't eat "balanced" either. It's weird how the body works. Even something small can help.

    I typically have to eat small meals though, and that has worked out well too.

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