To eat breakfast or not... that is the question?!

chrischinchilla

The worst breakfast is NO BREAKFAST. You should try to eat a big breakfast full of protein--eggs, steak, bacon, peanut butter, milk, etc.--every morning, a medium-sized lunch where you get your nutrition--salad, fruit, some chicken--, and a small dinner--veggies, lean meats. The purpose of that big breakfast is the same as filling your gas tank before a long trip: to fuel up and get as far as you can in that first stretch! Since I've started eating like this, I'm far more active throughout the day--I have more energy, I get more done, and ultimately, I take in FEWER calories than I used! But however you do it, just remember: the absolute worst thing you can do to your body is to not eat breakfast (coffee does not count as "breakfast"). Even if it's just a piece of toast with peanut butter, EAT SOMETHING!

LilRedRooster

I don't know how people can go without breakfast, haha. I wake up STARVING first thing in the morning, and always eat within a half hour of waking up, because my stomach gets loud with protesting. I don't have a very heavy breakfast, necessary, but I always have something.

That being said, breakfast isn't mandatory. Some people just aren't wired for breakfast first thing. My boyfriend isn't. He never eats breakfast, just has a larger lunch and dinner, and it works for him. As long as you're eating when you're hungry, it really doesn't matter what time you eat.

SPerko4980

I think breakfast is a very important part of the day -- it stops me from being so hungry about 9:30 or 10 in the morning. A friend of mine told me the other day of an old saying "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper". Interesting thought -- but like others have said, do what works best for your body because no diet is good for everyone. Good luck!

Sl1ghtly

Wait a second, you attacked my opinion first. I didn't attack yours. I simply stated my opinion based on studies and a nutritionist I talk to. I shouldn't have to to teach you how to use Google, look up the Mayo clinic, Livestrong, or call a nutritionist. I'm not saying eating breakfast is the direct leading factor to weight loss itself, but it gives you the energy to work out and the earlier you have your calories in the day, the sooner you start fueling your body and the less likely you will be vulnerable to bad choices when you do become hungry.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/25335-breakfast-helps-weight-loss/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN01119

Interesting articles. Unfortunately they are collections of anecdotes and opinions, not studies.

Back to the original point, meal timing can help one to control hunger but has very little affect otherwise.


http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html

cainie19

Dont feel pressured by common diet advice just do what works for you :-)

janehen12

^^^ the above!

If I eat too soon after getting up I feel really sick, and tbh I just don't like breakfasty foods much.
Boyf is starving the second he wakes up and cranky if he doesn't have breakfast.
What works for one doesn't work for all!

Acg67

The worst breakfast is NO BREAKFAST. You should try to eat a big breakfast full of protein--eggs, steak, bacon, peanut butter, milk, etc.--every morning, a medium-sized lunch where you get your nutrition--salad, fruit, some chicken--, and a small dinner--veggies, lean meats. The purpose of that big breakfast is the same as filling your gas tank before a long trip: to fuel up and get as far as you can in that first stretch! Since I've started eating like this, I'm far more active throughout the day--I have more energy, I get more done, and ultimately, I take in FEWER calories than I used! But however you do it, just remember: the absolute worst thing you can do to your body is to not eat breakfast (coffee does not count as "breakfast"). Even if it's just a piece of toast with peanut butter, EAT SOMETHING!

Way to make things up

"Whether fat oxidation is greater during waking or sleeping hours doesn't matter. What matters is 24-hour fat balance, which is fat synthesis minus fat oxidation. See, those are the 2 sides to the equation. If you eat less during the day & more at night, fat oxidation will occur at a greater rate during the day. If you do the opposite, fat oxidation will occur at a greater rate through the night - & you end up at the same spot. After 24 hours, the body doesn't know nor give a flying fuk which half of the day contributed to either a net loss, gain, or maintenance of fat balance. Unless you have a specific need for increased energy intake (ie, prolonged competition in a particular sport ocurring in the earlier part of the day), there's no reason to assume that eating more during the day & less in the evening is INHERENTLY beneficial for body composition goals. That type of thinking will at the very minimum get you a Broscar nomination."

-Alan Aragon

saragato

Just pointing out, doctors can be wrong too. I mean hey not very long ago they thought the answer to solving your ailments was draining out some of your blood. And even when the advice is correct, if it's not working for you, then why do it?

Personally I've never really eaten breakfast, rarely was I ever up in time for even a granola bar during school days and I made it through 'til lunch just fine. The only reason I try and get something in my stomach each morning is because the medication I take requires food otherwise it turns my stomach. I don't eat very big, either a granola bar or a piece of fruit or one of those carnation breakfast drinks, and I don't notice a difference in my energy nor my hunger level. For anyone curious I've had the habit for a couple years now.

Like someone else said, eat when you're hungry. If you're not hungry in the morning, then hey. Heck carry one of those 100 calorie packs with you in case you want something to nibble on later. It's all about what works for you and what keeps you and your tummy happy.

SandersWifey

I hardly ever eat breakfast. I am just not hungry in the mornings so I don't. If I happen to be hungry one morning then I do.
I do not think that it has hindered my weight loss at all. Listen to your body. :flowerforyou:

murf19

I need thew protein in the am. I don't want my body using my muscle for fuel.

AntWrig

Breakfast is a MUST, it's not a question at all. Eating breakfast gets your metabolism working and fuels you for the day, making you more likely to have the energy to work out. It's ideal to work out at night because then your metabolism works while you sleep through the night burning fat. Then when you eat a healthy breakfast the next morning, it makes your metabolism kick back in and it gives you the energy to go through your day and work out again.

Skipping breakfast and not eating multiple small meals a day is part of the reason women have a hard time losing weight.

A non pictured, low count person. Why am I not surprised.

Good look with reaching your broscience goals for 2012.

Savyna

I love breakfast so I try to eat at a "proper" breakfast time (but sometimes I dont really have breakfast until 1 or 2pm). it depends on you, if you want to eat in the morning then do so, if not don't sweat it.

azyaria

I have always been a breakfast eater. I do believe that eating breakfast is a good idea.

With that being said, what I have always had a hard time buying into is the idea that breakfast needs to be a huge production. Nutritionists, doctors, and various things I have read online always suggest that you have some protein, oatmeal, side of fruit, water, etc. to have a complete breakfast. I find this to be very ambitious – I am rarely hungry enough to eat all of this first thing in the morning, nor do I have the time to prepare and eat all of this before work!

As an adult, I do eat this "ideal" breakfast but in installments. When I wake up, i'm generally not hungry for a couple of hours. I force myself to eat a banana within an hour of waking up (regardless of whether i'm hungry or not), just to have something in my stomach to help "break the fast". Then as the morning goes on and my hunger increases, i'll have a hard-boiled egg, and then my 1/2 cup of oatmeal with berries. A couple of hours after this, I will eat my lunch.

I find that this is helpful because i am not starving by lunch time, and can handle something as simple and healthy as a salad with grilled chicken. If I miss my breakfast ritual, I usually need to eat something "heartier" for lunch, which ultimately is more calories and/or fatty.

So, I don't think you need to force yourself to eat breakfast if you're not a fan, but perhaps spread it out over the morning so you still get the same benefits and manage your hunger at the same time.

froeschli

Okay, I know all experts say yes, eat breakfast, and to be honest I have never been one to eat breakfast. The only thing in the morning that I used to consume was just a coffee with cream and sugar, if that. But now that I'm on mfp (for about 3 weeks now) I'm trying to be good and eat breakfast, but I swear it seems like I'm more hungry now that I eat breakfast and that frustrates me to no end. Do you all feel the same and any suggestions?! Because I'm contemplating just going back to just coffee and cream or uping my workouts to 2x a day one in the morning before breakfast and one in the evening... to burn more calories that I seem to want to consume more of, since I started eating breakfast. Don't get me wrong, I usually don't go over my calorie goals, but I swear, I feel like I'm starving sometimes now and I never used to feel like that when I didnt eat breakfast?! Btw, breakfast is always just 1/2c plain old instant oatmeal, with 1/3c craisens and 1/3c raisens with 2tsp brown sugar. Any tips/suggestions are welcome...

I can't eat straight out of bed, but i will eat breakfast around 10 am.
what I notice with your breakfast - it looks like it's all sugar. what probably happens, is you get a spike in your blood sugar, your body creates too much insulin, and removes it all in record time. then your blood sugar is low, and you start craving a bunch of carbs...
try to pick some foods with lower glycemic index, and add fiber or protein (or both). that should fill you up better and last longer.

Maggie821

If I start the day with carbs, then I am hungry all time. I function best with protein in the a.m. - having carbs with it is okay, but I focus more on the protein in the a.m.

ninerbuff

Okay, I know all experts say yes, eat breakfast, and to be honest I have never been one to eat breakfast. The only thing in the morning that I used to consume was just a coffee with cream and sugar, if that. But now that I'm on mfp (for about 3 weeks now) I'm trying to be good and eat breakfast, but I swear it seems like I'm more hungry now that I eat breakfast and that frustrates me to no end. Do you all feel the same and any suggestions?! Because I'm contemplating just going back to just coffee and cream or uping my workouts to 2x a day one in the morning before breakfast and one in the evening... to burn more calories that I seem to want to consume more of, since I started eating breakfast. Don't get me wrong, I usually don't go over my calorie goals, but I swear, I feel like I'm starving sometimes now and I never used to feel like that when I didnt eat breakfast?! Btw, breakfast is always just 1/2c plain old instant oatmeal, with 1/3c craisens and 1/3c raisens with 2tsp brown sugar. Any tips/suggestions are welcome...

Don't have to eat it. I skip it 6 days a week.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

dme1977

I am NOT a big morning eater... I have my 2 mugs of coffee with my suger free creamer ( whichever flavor I have ) and my 2 packs of sweet n low. THATS IT! I eat my bulk of calories during my 11 am-5 pm and a snack sometime at night. Everyone is different . Up to this point it works for me. :flowerforyou:

ninerbuff

Breakfast is a MUST, it's not a question at all. Eating breakfast gets your metabolism working and fuels you for the day, making you more likely to have the energy to work out. It's ideal to work out at night because then your metabolism works while you sleep through the night burning fat. Then when you eat a healthy breakfast the next morning, it makes your metabolism kick back in and it gives you the energy to go through your day and work out again.

Skipping breakfast and not eating multiple small meals a day is part of the reason women have a hard time losing weight.

Myth. There is no scientific peer reviewed studies to support this by any journal of medicine or science.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Dilfster

I've never been a breakfast person until recently, but I don't care for breakfast foods so I will usually eat something like one piece of grilled chicken. It sets the tone for the rest of the day...for me, anyway.

Cakepiebeer

Eat when you're hungry

/end thread

jbella99

Add protein to your breakfast. 3 or 4 egg whites, either hardboiled or in a scramble. That should help with the hunger. Also try eating every 2 to 3 hours. something small

gleechick609

Breakfast is a MUST, it's not a question at all. Eating breakfast gets your metabolism working and fuels you for the day, making you more likely to have the energy to work out. It's ideal to work out at night because then your metabolism works while you sleep through the night burning fat. Then when you eat a healthy breakfast the next morning, it makes your metabolism kick back in and it gives you the energy to go through your day and work out again.

Wrong. ^^^

Skip breakfast if you want to. It's a personal preference thing and has ZERO bearing on weight loss.

This.

AGSawatzky

I am a FIRM believer of eating 5-6 meals per day and ALWAYS eating breakfast within one hour of waking. You should be having clean, well balanced meals/snacks between 200-300 calories every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Yes you will be hungrier at the beginning and it will be because your metabolism is working how it is meant to. Carbs and whole grains should be consumed early in the day to keep you fueled for the rest of the day. If you haven't already read up on it, check our Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Principles it is definitely a good, easy read and puts it ALL in perspective.

Acg67

I need thew protein in the am. I don't want my body using my muscle for fuel.

You should really invest in one of these to prevent catabolism

palmerig88

I would never want to use any of my calories unless I was hungry. I love to eat, and when I am only allowed so many cals per day, not only do I use them but I use em wisely. Skip it if you don't want to eat breakfast! Good luck on your journey. BTW I love breakfast, lol

btzisabel

It's personal. I can't start my day if I don't have breakfast, but I know people that simply can't get to eat anything when they've just woke up, so do what it feels better for you.

baddbob

I'm am sure it varies, but I know what is now working for me. I was never hungry for breakfast, therefore I rarely ate it. I ate most of my calories later in the day. Guess what? It never worked. I now see a dietician that tells me to spread my calories out throughout the day. I basically eat 6 times a day to keep my system fueled and burning calories. Guess what?? It works!!! It has also helped me curb my appetite so I am not getting hungry later.

My one exception is that when I head to the gym in the evening, I pump up some extra protein and an extra supplement to help with muscle recovery.

This is the formula that seems to be working for me after many years of trying many things.

Good luck sorting through all of the advice!!

BB

Acg67

I'm am sure it varies, but I know what is now working for me. I was never hungry for breakfast, therefore I rarely ate it. I ate most of my calories later in the day. Guess what? It never worked. I now see a dietician that tells me to spread my calories out throughout the day. I basically eat 6 times a day to keep my system fueled and burning calories. Guess what?? It works!!! It has also helped me curb my appetite so I am not getting hungry later.

Your body would be burning calories regardless of if you ate 1 meal a day or 10 meals a day, if your dietician told you otherwise, I'd get a new one

hsandall

Try more protein. I used to hate breakfast cause it would make me really hungry before lunch, but than realized I was eating just carbs.... Starting eating eggs, peanut butter, cheese or nuts with oatmeal and BAM! Never hungry again before lunch.

AntWrig

I am a FIRM believer of eating 5-6 meals per day and ALWAYS eating breakfast within one hour of waking. You should be having clean, well balanced meals/snacks between 200-300 calories every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Yes you will be hungrier at the beginning and it will be because your metabolism is working how it is meant to. Carbs and whole grains should be consumed early in the day to keep you fueled for the rest of the day. If you haven't already read up on it, check our Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Principles it is definitely a good, easy read and puts it ALL in perspective.

Glad that is working, but everything you said is nonsense.