Should breakfast be the biggest meal of the day?

runner_chick24
runner_chick24 Posts: 31 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Everyone and their mother will tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but should it also be the biggest? And if so, how long does it take to get used to eating more, earlier in the day? I'm accustomed to having a small 150-200 calorie breakfast.
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Replies

  • rmartin72
    rmartin72 Posts: 1,085 Member
    I have always heard the same growing up, I have tried to make it my biggest meal starting the day off:):) Good topic:):)
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    There is no scientific proof that meal timing or frequency actually make a difference. So, don't worry about it.
  • HorseWithNoName27
    HorseWithNoName27 Posts: 188 Member
    Your body won't know the difference between breakfast or dinner being the largest meal...it's all about total calorie intake when awake. Do what works for you, OP, but yes, it is important to eat breakfast because it may prevent you from overeating later in the day. I know it helps me, and I usually have about a 300 calorie breakfast.
  • Bonny619
    Bonny619 Posts: 311 Member
    I don't eat breakfast, so no!
  • helen0616
    helen0616 Posts: 97
    I am not a breakfast person at all. In high school, my idea of a balanced breakfast was a Nutra Grain bar and a diet Sundrop. It's no wonder i felt like crap all the time, even at 5'5" and 110. It has been a battle for me to eat in the morning but after three weeks, i am finally waking up hungry. I have a 300-375 calorie smoothie with lots of protein in it (20+ grams) to keep me full for about three hours.
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    I try to make all my meals about the same size...makes me feel full longer...but I eat every 2.5-3 hours. It works for me, but I know it's not for everyone. I don't know that breakfast "should" be the biggest, but I do think it should include smart choices so that you set the stage for smart eating through the day.
  • Ianultrarunner
    Ianultrarunner Posts: 184 Member
    Many people don't like to eat big first thing in the morning.
    As long as you don't eat dinner three to four hours before bedtime you're OK.
    Usually the problem is if you eat close to bedtime not only might it delay you sleeping but is more likely to be stored as fat.
    Also delaying sleep may also affect weight loss too.
    Try to snack regularly during the day and break meals up into five or six smaller meals.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    Many people don't like to eat big first thing in the morning.
    As long as you don't eat dinner three to four hours before bedtime you're OK.
    Usually the problem is if you eat close to bedtime not only might it delay you sleeping but is more likely to be stored as fat.
    Try to snack regularly during the day and break meals up into five or six smaller meals.

    Very false. Your body does not care WHEN you eat. It will not suddenly store calories as fat because you eat before bed. You also don't have to eat 5 to 6 smaller meals. Both of these ideas are diet MYTHS!
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    My largest meal is usually Lunch/mid day.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Everyone and their mother will tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but should it also be the biggest? And if so, how long does it take to get used to eating more, earlier in the day? I'm accustomed to having a small 150-200 calorie breakfast.
    I have found that if I don't get in a hearty breakfast, I can't seem to satisfy my appetite adequately the rest of the day....I struggle to stay within calorie limits.

    But I don't eat it all in one sitting....So breakfast is a time period between about 7am and 1030am.
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    I looked at your diary and you're doing fine.
  • karibeargirl
    karibeargirl Posts: 249 Member
    I eat breakfast in the morning, I find that if I do, I do not snack between breakfast and lunch and I don't get hungry till lunch time...Works for me:):)
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    I listen to my body. I'm not always hungry in the morning. Sometimes I'm starving. I try to have a little something on the days I don't feel like eating. Basically if I'm hungry I eat, if I'm not I don't. That's for all meals, not just breakfast.
  • Catagelophobia
    Catagelophobia Posts: 1
    I agree with what people have said over and over that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even though I may not eat breakfast everyday (but I would love to) I also agree that it should be the biggest meal of the day. In my opinion:
    1. -I find that I am more hungry in the morning when I wake up, than I am at any other hour of the day.
    2. -I don't have proof of this, but I remember reading that the start of the day is when your metabolism is at its highest and your body will need plenty of energy to fuel it. But as the day progresses, your metabolism rate begins to slow down which is why many would say have a small lunch/dinner portion and a snack sometime before or after lunch.
    3. -I have to say that breakfast has a more tastier selection and various choices, not that the other two meals don't have great selections, but I find it more enjoyable.
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Please try not to listen to the amount of 'derp' you will get in this topic.

    The single most important thing for you to worry about is getting the right caloric intake - consistently. If this means you have 1000 calories at breakfast time, or none, it doesn't matter at all. Listen to your body and eat more at the times of day you are most hungry.
  • Katahna
    Katahna Posts: 326 Member
    Most definitely yes, I've had amazing results using that theory.

    Big breakfast and tapered down for the rest of the day, give or take a few hundred for dinner

    I eat a 600 Calorie breakfast most days, but change it up so that my body doesn't get used to it.
  • thinsoundsgood
    thinsoundsgood Posts: 55
    All my meals are sometimes between the same calories count. But yes, you're breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day because it gives you energy and you burn it off through the day!
  • Katahna
    Katahna Posts: 326 Member
    Metabolism:

    Morning: OM NOM NOM NOM

    Afternoon: Slowing down

    Night: Almost non existent till you go to sleep
  • olee67
    olee67 Posts: 208 Member
    Yes, the most important meal of the day. Doesn't mean it has to be the biggest meal of the day. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism for the day. Fact is, with how slow it is when you first wake up, eating too much might be counter productive. Having a 100-300 calorie breakfast is fine. For me, if I eat more than 500 calories for breakfast, I feel kind of sluggish for a few hours.

    Nothing much scientific about it (except the most important meal of the day part), just my opinion.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member


    Nothing much scientific about it (except the most important meal of the day part), just my opinion.

    nope, not even that bit.

    Rayman speaks the truth.
  • tjradd73
    tjradd73 Posts: 3,495 Member


    Nothing much scientific about it (except the most important meal of the day part), just my opinion.

    nope, not even that bit.

    Rayman speaks the truth.

    I'm gonna go with the boys on this one.....eat when you are hungry! sometimes I eat half my days cals for breakfast...somtimes I eat all of my cals starting mid-aft til late night. do what works best for YOU!
  • Gloria415
    Gloria415 Posts: 30 Member
    I was told by my dietitian that all meals should be proportioned about the same amount of food and calories.
    I've been trying this for several months and can actually feel the difference when I have a larger meal.
  • Dragonflybjm63
    Dragonflybjm63 Posts: 34
    I seriously love my big breakfast. mine has to have protein, i dont feel satisfied other wise. My favorite is 1 whole egg and another egg white, fresh baby spinach, lean shaved ham or smoked salmon, salmon is easy to get here in Tasmania, also sometimes i have 1 w/meal toast. I dont put butter in toast is the eggs are going on top. oh and a cuppa
  • KuroNyankoSensei
    KuroNyankoSensei Posts: 288 Member
    My largest meal is usually lunch or dinner. Caloric intake seems to matter the most to my body, since I lose weight consistently regardless of when I eat or not ;3.
  • lunchlady1208
    lunchlady1208 Posts: 127
    Thanks for posting this...I have just asked the same question in another thread!!
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Metabolism:

    Morning: OM NOM NOM NOM

    Afternoon: Slowing down

    Night: Almost non existent till you go to sleep

    LOL at you thinking your metabolism actually slows down during the day. Do you go on life support while you sleep too?

    Just save us all a lot of trouble and stamp future posts with a broscience warning please.
  • Beleren
    Beleren Posts: 142
    I was actually wondering about this too. It seems like it would make more sense just to listen to your body and eat when your hungry.
  • glin23
    glin23 Posts: 460 Member
    I donm't know if it should be the biggest meal of the day, but I know that for me, a sufficient breakfast helps me fight off hunger cravings later in the day.
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
    Everyone and their mother will tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but should it also be the biggest? And if so, how long does it take to get used to eating more, earlier in the day? I'm accustomed to having a small 150-200 calorie breakfast.

    I eat small breakfasts also.

    IMO for what it is worth, I do not think it matters when you eat your biggest meal. If you want to spread your calorie allowance over 24 hours or a couple of hours. It boils down to what works for someone in their plans.

    Personally, I like to eat breakfast because I feel hungry. Then I eat around every 3 hours, incorporating some snacks between main meals. I eat my last snack around 9pm. It works for me.

    Some, prefer not to eat breakfast. My hubby doesn`t eat brekkie but come 11am he starts to snack all day (he is still snacking now at 10pm) He is not overweight, he competes in Ironman comps.

    So, just do what suits you, and fits in with your goals x
  • 43932452
    43932452 Posts: 7,246 Member
    I read an article stating ¼ your allowance is best to have at breakfast.
    After reading it I adopted that plan and it to the most part helped me
    lose better.

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