Skipping Breakfast?

Halleeon

So, anyway, I've read over some of the info, and will keep reading, but I doubt IF will work for me, with diabetes 2 and the whole insulin resistance thing. Eating breakfast around 30 minutes after rising benefits me for many reasons, other than the one point everyone seems to be aiming at.

If I were to eat any other way than breakfast + grazing and small meals, I would most likely wind up spiking my blood sugar and be dealing with sugar crashes, feeling hungry throughout the day, and then binging at night as this has been my experience time and time again. I’ve also seen and read about many people that this happens to; it just seems very common to me.

At any rate, eating breakfast and grazing throughout the day works best for me and allows me the highest level of success, and therefore, it is what I recommend to others (with the understanding that they can take or leave my opinion, and that what works for me, might not work for them.) I hope that people do take what I say and go out on to the internet and find their own answers and either find that it is true, or find that it’s not and act accordingly. My post is not the end all, folks…let it rest. I'll stick with what works for me, until I find otherwise, just like the original poster should, whether he agrees with my opinion or not. I really liked txcaveman’s quote as it is more in line with what I deal with.

To those who shared URL’s - Thanks for the direct links to information - I will read over them....I can appreciate constructive criticism and actual links. I’m grateful to Alexis831 who quoted “Sidesteal’s” direct forum post on the subject, which was a big help.

Lastly, for some of you…(not everyone) I'm not sure that being sarcastic like that is really a way to help people who are truly trying to help themselves and others; it’s actually quite discouraging to some people. Makes me wonder how many new MFP'ers have been run off the site because they said something incorrect, or gave an opinion that did not fit with the majority of posters and gotten a nasty response. For those people (only) Try having a little empathy along with providing some facts… I’m sure people would be more receptive to what you have to say at that point.

Thanks again for the positive feedback and resources - much obliged...I didn't mean to cause such the commotion on the forums. :P

usmcmp

MFP is a great place to get 100 different opinions and answers to your question. If you are really serious about your health, contact a professional. Their advice will be night and day different from this thread. I'm a fitness and nutrition professional, but my prescriptions revolve around exercise and eating healthy. If you are exercising properly and care about your muscles, you would never willingly allow them to enter Cannibalism (the breakdown and use of body tissue for energy in the absence of nutrients).

You are a fitness and nutrition professional but you don't know the difference between catabolism and cannibalism? Have any studies to show that going more than 12 hours (like skipping breakfast) starts catabolism?

Twinkieo

Eating breakfast when you wake up kick starts your metabolism. You start burning calories earlier and therefore, burn more calories throughout the day. Besides that benefit, eating breakfast also gives you more energy and more brainpower AND will make you less hungry for later meals in the day - thus allowing you to eat smaller portions throughout the entire day. I would try to eat even just a piece of toast, an apple, a cup of yogurt or something within an hour of waking up if you can.

Acg67

Eating breakfast when you wake up kick starts your metabolism. You start burning calories earlier and therefore, burn more calories throughout the day. Besides that benefit, eating breakfast also gives you more energy and more brainpower AND will make you less hungry for later meals in the day - thus allowing you to eat smaller portions throughout the entire day. I would try to eat even just a piece of toast, an apple, a cup of yogurt or something within an hour of waking up if you can.

Glad you took the time to read through the thread

slappymcgee

I am a true believer in breakfast. Studies have shown that those who eat breakfast lose more weight than those who do not. I used to skip breakfast, and then found myself nearing 200 pounds. I make sure I eat a light, high protein and high fiber breakfast.

rose313

I wake up at 8 and sometimes don't eat till 12:30. Nothing bad ever happened to me. I meet my calories and my macros and I don't starve myself or binge in the afternoon. Just listen to your body and you will be fine.

waffleflavoredtea

I used to never eat breakfast... I got fat.

Now I'm trying to be healthy, the popular thinking is that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".

Since I'm trying to be healthier and loose weight I eat breakfast, sometimes something very small, sometimes more...

Now you tell me it's a myth! It sounds like almost every principle of weight loss is a myth.

Augh!

Did you count calories back when you skipped breakfast? Methinks that you 'reasoned away' treating yourself to higher calorie foods later in the day because you felt you deserved them since you skipped breakfast. Skipping breakfast doesn't magically make you gain OR lose weight, but it can potentially influence your decisions for when you do eat, and breakfast does tend to give some people more energy and a positive attitude that they can use to work out more often, sleep better, and accomplish tasks.
But you definitely did NOT get fat solely from skipping breakfast.

xarge

Breakfast only kick starts my stomach to be honest, I prefer 10 minutes of stretching in the morning if I need that metabolism boost. My biggest concern back when I started skipping breakfast 15 years ago was having stomach problems since I would barely eat anything until lunch time. Nothing happened, 15 years.

lynzyn

eating breakfast is proven to help u loose weight, u should eat breakfast!

rose313

MFP is a great place to get 100 different opinions and answers to your question. If you are really serious about your health, contact a professional. Their advice will be night and day different from this thread. I'm a fitness and nutrition professional, but my prescriptions revolve around exercise and eating healthy. If you are exercising properly and care about your muscles, you would never willingly allow them to enter Cannibalism (the breakdown and use of body tissue for energy in the absence of nutrients).

Cannibalism is when people eat each other. I'm not sure skipping breakfast would make you want to munch on people.

faylenechung

My doctor told me always to eat breakfast. I am the same way so I started drinking health shakes instead. I find myself not wanting to munch because I didn't actually eat. Feel free to friend me.

Onesnap

It's called breakfast because you're...breaking the fast and starting your engine.

If you're not giving your engine fuel until 1pm you're just slowing that engine down (metabolism...slowwwwww)

o2bADyer

A few things to read if you're interested...

http://nutrition.about.com/od/nutrition101/a/breakfast.htm

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/healthy-eating/how-skipping-breakfast-is-bad-for-your-waistline.php

My free "unexpert" advice...do what feels right for your body!

peeaanuut

the way I look at it is this, if I eat breakfast, I wont eat the before bed snack. I burn calories at a higher rate walking around and being awake and doing things than laying in bed sleeping.

Onesnap

Here's some recent posts on this topic. VERY helpful.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/385029-skipping-breakfast?hl=skipping+breakfast

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/356195-did-you-skip-breakfast-today-and-go-to-work-on-an-empty-stom?hl=skipping+breakfast&page=1#posts-4820985

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/317870-skipping-breakfast?hl=skip+breakfast#posts-4229089

nxd10

If I don't eat breakfast I eat way more at dinner. Absolutely ups my calories for the day. I am fairly sure research backs that up as well. Jane Brody's maxim is breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper.

I'd think that if you want low, flat insulin rates (which keeps you using stored fat and not hungry) you'd want a steady flow of food once you're moving around.

What do you mean by 'can't stop eating?'

heddylyn

I used to skip breakfast all the time. (I would just drink coffee until about 3pm). I realized that I was starving myself and overeating all at once! I was so hungry by the time the afternoon rolled around that I would totally stuff my face. Of course, this was before MFP and tracking my food intake. Now I have a 100 calorie protein shake just to get my day started and then I don' feel the need to overeat. If you aren't hungry and don't overeat at lunch time to make up for skipping breakfast I think you're fine. Weight loss is 90% calorie deficit and I personally don't think it matters when you get those calories in as long as you aren't going over.

RobynMWilson

Yes you are. You're slowing down your metabolism that way and costing yourself a lot of energy. You should work on getting to the root of the problem why you can't stop eating. Eat several small meals/snacks per day...like every 2-3 hours...

Onesnap

I've heard quite a few times that if you are not hungry in the morning "you're doing it wrong"

The reason is because if you are not hungry after fasting all night (while sleeping) it's often a sign that you ate too much dinner/snacks/food before bed.

nxd10

I skip breakfast every day because once I start eating I find it hard to stop. I typically eat lunch around 1:00 then try not to eat again until dinner then one light snack before bed. Am I doing more harm then good by doing this?

Nope! Do what works for your body. I have the same issue. Do you have low body fat? I read an article that stated if you have low body fat and eat breakfast that can mess with your glucose causing you to spike and want to binge. I found that was happening to me and then I would gorge. Its not when you eat but how many calories you eat anyway. I am up at 4am and by 9am I eat a granola bar then go from there. I can't make it until 1, I did try, but if it works for you then stick with it! I also eat my "Dinner" around 12pm or 3pm because I am not really hungry later at night and don't like eating too much before bed. Listen to your body and follow it and do what works for you as long as your calories are good.

Then you ARE eating breakfast.

Personally, I find protein at breakfast (eggs or yoghurt) keep me full. If I eat just carbs (oatmeal or pancakes) I get really hungry early. That is - as you say - because of the carb load and insulin spike.

maaleka

I used to never eat breakfast... I got fat.

Now I'm trying to be healthy, the popular thinking is that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".

Since I'm trying to be healthier and loose weight I eat breakfast, sometimes something very small, sometimes more...

Now you tell me it's a myth! It sounds like almost every principle of weight loss is a myth.

Augh!

I feel the EXACT same way... *smiles* I am not alone!!

Acg67

^This page

johnpangan

Breakfast is way too important to skip it. Like they said, its called "break fast - breaking the fast" . IMO, when it comes to diet and working out, its about being consistent. Having a structured eating time, I'm less prone to eating bad food and staying within my caloric goal. That what works for me!

usmcmp

^This page

Quite!

scdegroot

I just have coffee and a 110 cal biscotti for breakfast. I have wondered why so many people are not hungry in the morning. It may be that insulin levels are low after an overnight fast and as soon as you start eating the levels rise and make you hungry. There was a carb diet that recommended eating carbs at night for weight loss, which would fit this theory. So, a low glycemic breakfast should work including protein instead of carbs to keep your blood sugars level. I did well by small portions and snacks all day, starting at noon however.

Actually low blood sugars make you incredibly hungry. Some may say even more hungry than with high blood sugars. Type 1 diabetic....

Athijade

^This page

Derpy is best pony!

I am still shocked at the number of people who believe the dieting myths of "boosting metabolism" or "don't eat late at night". It really is sad. There is so much SCIENTIFIC evidence that meal frequency and timing have nothing to do with weight loss as long as calories are met.

Now, I do eat a banana (EVIL!) and have an almond milk in the morning because I work out in the mornings. Otherwise, I don't worry about it.

Samscape

As it relates to weight loss, I’m not sure of the correct answer. I’m a chronic “non-breakfast” eater, and I honestly think it’s been detrimental. I have found that whenever I do try to lose weight, it comes off much faster if I do eat breakfast regularly. It also means I’m hungry all day long, whereas if I don’t eat breakfast, I can go most of the day without eating. This seems to corroborate the notion that eating early turns on the metabolism for the rest of the day, at least in my case.

But there’s another reason to eat breakfast not related to weight management. It has to do with blood sugar levels. I was recently doing some research on how to lower blood sugar levels because I have been steadily creeping toward “pre-diabetic” levels over the last several years. Without getting too technical, adult onset diabetes is usually related to the body developing an insulin resistance. Insulin is needed to break down the glucose derived from what we eat. The more insulin the pancreas has to secrete over time to handle the blood glucose, the less effective that insulin becomes. Then it has to secrete more to keep up with glucose levels. Over time, it can’t keep up, and blood sugar rises along with the insulin resistance. Since insulin is secreted in direct response to how much glucose there is to handle, eating smaller meals more often will help level out the amount needed. With each small meal, only a small amount of insulin is needed. And if these meals are spread out throughout the day, it allows for a steady state blood glucose level, rather than peaks and valleys.

If you ate only one meal a day, but that meal was 1,400 calories, you still might lose weight. But you’d create a situation where the pancreas has to secrete a huge amount of insulin to handle that much food. And it’s the large amount of insulin that can cause the body to become resistant to its effects.

So it stands to reason that breakfast is important, not only because there might be metabolism benefits, but it also helps to smooth out the blood glucose curves and allows for as little insulin use as possible. That’s a clear benefit that makes sense to me. Hence, I eat a small breakfast (since I’m not really hungry), then I snack on healthy things all day long (since I’m hungry the rest of the day). I just have to make sure that lunch and supper are not gigantic meals. I’m able to stay within my calorie range, and I’m helping my body by allowing it to not have to use much insulin.

For what it’s worth…

This guy is right on the money, in my opinion (I am not a health care professional or nutritionist).

I believe that it is important to regulate your blood sugars, and try not to make your insulin sky-rocket, which it can do if you wait too long to eat. I don't believe that it would have any effect on weightloss either way (calories in vs calories out is the key), but having your blood sugars get too low can cause cravings for naughty things, which can lead to other health issues, and possibly have you go over your calories for the day. This is not the truth, just my opinion. Also, since I exercise first thing in the morning, I find it is important for me to eat breakfast soon after (with plenty of lowfat protein).

This has definitely been helpful; reading all these posts. Thanks to everyone who's participated! As I said, I am not a professional in this area, so I appreciate reading many of the articles that people post about this.

p_m_g

Actually there have been studies that show that eating breakfast, lunch and dinner show a link to greater weight loss.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/three-simple-weight-loss-strategies-that-work/

Should read what you link to. The "study" says people skipping meals tend to over compensate their calories later (correlation, not causation).

Additionally, it suggests REGULAR meals. Meaning eating at the same intervals every day. So if your interval does not include the standard conception of breakfast, then that is fine.

The study you mention is in regards to skipping regular meals, not specific meals as designated by ideology (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Calories in vs Calories out. Not what time you eat them. You body does not magically not absorb calories before 10am or during a blue moon or whatever crazy timing idea pops up next.

I have a MBA, so I have mastered the art of learning to read.

I see you have lost 2 lbs in your weight loss journey and therefore must be a weight loss expert. I am sure the people who spent time on this study are nowhere near as educated as you are. How silly of me to not defer to your wisdom.

Responses like yours are the reason many choose not to participate in the message boards.

Sidesteal

Actually there have been studies that show that eating breakfast, lunch and dinner show a link to greater weight loss.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/three-simple-weight-loss-strategies-that-work/

Should read what you link to. The "study" says people skipping meals tend to over compensate their calories later (correlation, not causation).

Additionally, it suggests REGULAR meals. Meaning eating at the same intervals every day. So if your interval does not include the standard conception of breakfast, then that is fine.

The study you mention is in regards to skipping regular meals, not specific meals as designated by ideology (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Calories in vs Calories out. Not what time you eat them. You body does not magically not absorb calories before 10am or during a blue moon or whatever crazy timing idea pops up next.

I have a MBA, so I have mastered the art of learning to read.

I see you have lost 2 lbs in your weight loss journey and therefore must be a weight loss expert. I am sure the people who spent time on this study are nowhere near as educated as you are. How silly of me to not defer to your wisdom.

Responses like yours are the reason many choose not to participate in the message boards.

Way to lead by example.

Acg67

Actually there have been studies that show that eating breakfast, lunch and dinner show a link to greater weight loss.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/three-simple-weight-loss-strategies-that-work/

Should read what you link to. The "study" says people skipping meals tend to over compensate their calories later (correlation, not causation).

Additionally, it suggests REGULAR meals. Meaning eating at the same intervals every day. So if your interval does not include the standard conception of breakfast, then that is fine.

The study you mention is in regards to skipping regular meals, not specific meals as designated by ideology (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Calories in vs Calories out. Not what time you eat them. You body does not magically not absorb calories before 10am or during a blue moon or whatever crazy timing idea pops up next.

I have a MBA, so I have mastered the art of learning to read.

I see you have lost 2 lbs in your weight loss journey and therefore must be a weight loss expert. I am sure the people who spent time on this study are nowhere near as educated as you are. How silly of me to not defer to your wisdom.

Responses like yours are the reason many choose not to participate in the message boards.