Why Can't I Skip Breakfast?

ossentia
ossentia Posts: 96 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, when I started this journey, I made sure to eat something for breakfast everyday, even if it was just a slice of toast. Over the last few weeks, I have skipped breakfast, and I find that I'm really happy to have those extra calories available for my favorite meal of the day: dinner. I don't feel bad. I still feel like I have plenty of energy in the morning. I am definitely ready for lunch when the time rolls around, but isn't that a good thing? So, why can't I skip breakfast?
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Replies

  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    you can, theres no reason not to if it helps you stay within your calorie limits. i wait for a few hours to eat breakfast after i wake up

    side note; technically the first thing you eat in the day is breakfast, even if its at 5 p.m.
  • meluhneekay
    meluhneekay Posts: 82
    you can, theres no reason not to if it helps you stay within your calorie limits. i wait for a few hours to eat breakfast after i wake up

    side note; technically the first thing you eat in the day is breakfast, even if its at 5 p.m.

    ^^^ This. Depending on when I wake up, my breakfast could be at any time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • nicolemtracy
    nicolemtracy Posts: 301 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next. If you want extra calories for dinner, try a simple workout. I walk each day for 45 minutes with my dog. That gives me 241 extra calories to use :) Cleaning your house, gardening, ect all add up.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Meal timing is irrelevant. I rarely eat before noon and usually eat almost all of my calories in the last few hours of the day (sometimes all in the last hour before bed). Do what works for you.
  • dlionsmane
    dlionsmane Posts: 674 Member
    No reason. Meal timing is irrelevant. Calling a meal breakfast is also just a description usually used at the beginning of the day. However, it is whenever your first meal is. So technically lunch is your breakfast! (break- fast)
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next.
    sorry but thats all wrong
  • oneoddsock
    oneoddsock Posts: 321 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next. If you want extra calories for dinner, try a simple workout. I walk each day for 45 minutes with my dog. That gives me 241 extra calories to use :) Cleaning your house, gardening, ect all add up.

    Do you have a source for this information?
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Skip it if it is what works for you.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next. If you want extra calories for dinner, try a simple workout. I walk each day for 45 minutes with my dog. That gives me 241 extra calories to use :) Cleaning your house, gardening, ect all add up.

    Um, no.

    Just.

    No.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next.

    No, it doesn't. Starvation mode, as it is advocated on here, does not exist. Adaptive thermogenesis take place after a long period of very low intake (three or four days, at a minimum) not after one night. Your body is smarter than thinking it is starving if you sleep late. Feel free to skip breakfast (there's a large community of people who use intermittent fasting to great effect).
  • Unknown
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  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,288 MFP Moderator
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next. If you want extra calories for dinner, try a simple workout. I walk each day for 45 minutes with my dog. That gives me 241 extra calories to use :) Cleaning your house, gardening, ect all add up.

    Your body does not go into starvation mode over a missed meal. Tell that nonsense to my ticker - I'm a serial breakfast NON-eater, and somehow managed to lose almost 60 pounds while still being able to enjoy delicious foods.
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,628 Member
    It's simple ....... do whatever works for YOU ......

    :drinker:
  • aarnwine2013
    aarnwine2013 Posts: 317 Member
    You don't have to eat it. I usually don't eat until around lunch. I'll have a small snack if I'm hungry but it's not needed.
  • CindyMarcuzAdams
    CindyMarcuzAdams Posts: 4,007 Member
    Breakfast is a combination of 2 words, break and fast.

    It doesnt matter what time you break it as long as you do.

    Calories cant tell time...
  • Eoghann
    Eoghann Posts: 130 Member
    Because if you do Tony the Tiger will hunt you down and force Frosted Flakes down your throat.

    You can... I do... My body doesn't go into starvation mode. I'm losing weight at a pretty solid rate. Don't start eating until you're hungry.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    You could skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner. As long as you are hitting your macros and not blowing your deficiency then you are fine. Eat as you wish.
  • KBmoments
    KBmoments Posts: 193 Member
    I've actually been doing the same thing! I am having coffee at work for "breakfast" and then maybe a light snack around 10am. That gives me more calories to use for dinner...the most enjoyable meal for me :) It hasn't been hindering my weight loss at all! I would completely ignore the starvation mode propaganda and do what is working for you.
  • CorlissaEats
    CorlissaEats Posts: 493 Member
    Given that breakfast is the meal that "breaks your fast" -- whatever you want to eat whenever you want to eat it is fine. Technically. Your body is not on a time table. Food is fuel. If you are consistently eating at or below your daily burn it doesnt really matter when you eat.

    I actually DO believe eating breakfast within an hour of waking up in important. Its the energy you need to start your day. But I dont think it matter how much or what it is. If you have coffee first thing in the morning with milk and sugar- again, technically, thats breakfast. Its calories and calories are fuel. I try to have something even if its just a few nuts. I do find that I am weak and tired and have trouble focusing on less than 1000 calories by noon- but thats something your body will tell you. I also tend to have lower resistance for binge cycles when I eat too little in the morning- again, your body will tell you what it needs if you stop and pay attention.
  • shortntall1
    shortntall1 Posts: 333 Member
    Sometimes I skip..sometimes I dont. Id rather be able to have a snack after supper than breakfast, sometimes.
  • GibbsGirl13072
    GibbsGirl13072 Posts: 156 Member
    I skip a 'traditional' breakfast all the time and only eat between 11am and 7pm. I'm usually not hungry early in the day because I have my coffee.
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next.

    This is probably the funniest thing I've read all day. Thanks for that.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1084912-good-starvation-mode-article

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol
  • Jess__I__Can
    Jess__I__Can Posts: 307 Member
    Calories cant tell time...

    This is the best thing I have heard all day. Love it!
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    I usually eat an apple and have a coffee for breakfast. It's very low cal and gets my brain going. I agree it really doesn't matter if you eat it or not. The only reason it would matter is if you're finding you're eating more throughout the day now that you're skipping it. By reviewing your diary you will see if that's the case for you. BUT if you're sticking in your calorie goal and enjoying other meals more, then it's working great for you! When my bf wants to cut weight he just starts skipping breakfast and leaves the rest the same.

    ETA: The only reason eating breakfast is recommended by experts (read this on the Weight Watchers science info site) is because there is a correlation with people who eat breakfast also being more likely to keep weight off after it's lost. HOWEVER keep in mind that correlation and causation are NOT the same thing.
  • sculli123
    sculli123 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Skip it if you want. Just get your macros in for the day whenever you feel is conveinant. Only reason for it is to satisfy your hunger so you don't binge. But if your not hungry, don't worry about it.
  • stephanieharms1290
    stephanieharms1290 Posts: 48 Member
    Breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. I was never able to get food down when i woke up, but I simply was not hungry. You have to find what works for you. Even if you start your day with a simple protein shake, it is better than nothing. Breakfast fuels your body throughout the day. It kick starts your metabolism, and sets the pace for the rest of the day. If you do not eat breakfast, your metabolism slows and your body begins "starvation mode". You also will begin to feel sluggish by afternoon. It gives you energy, and keeps you going throughout the day. If you are worried about calories for dinner, perform 30-40 minutes of exercise to have some extra calories !
  • DR2501
    DR2501 Posts: 661 Member
    Breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. I was never able to get food down when i woke up, but I simply was not hungry. You have to find what works for you. Even if you start your day with a simple protein shake, it is better than nothing. Breakfast fuels your body throughout the day. It kick starts your metabolism, and sets the pace for the rest of the day. If you do not eat breakfast, your metabolism slows and your body begins "starvation mode". You also will begin to feel sluggish by afternoon. It gives you energy, and keeps you going throughout the day. If you are worried about calories for dinner, perform 30-40 minutes of exercise to have some extra calories !

    You clearly didn't read the posts above...
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. I was never able to get food down when i woke up, but I simply was not hungry. You have to find what works for you. Even if you start your day with a simple protein shake, it is better than nothing. Breakfast fuels your body throughout the day. It kick starts your metabolism, and sets the pace for the rest of the day. If you do not eat breakfast, your metabolism slows and your body begins "starvation mode". You also will begin to feel sluggish by afternoon. It gives you energy, and keeps you going throughout the day. If you are worried about calories for dinner, perform 30-40 minutes of exercise to have some extra calories !

    No.

    YOU might feel sluggish without eating breakfast. That personal preference. I feel great waking at 7 am and not eating until after noon.

    Your metabolism does not need "started", it only quits when you're dead.

    Starvation mode, as you're using it, is a myth. Calories in vs out

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1084912-good-starvation-mode-article

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

    guess I'll just link these to nauseum lmao.

    If what you're saying is true. Explain my ticker? I don't typically eat breakfast and I maintain on 2200 calories at 5'3.5"119 lbs. Must be that slowed metabolisms from starvation mode
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. I was never able to get food down when i woke up, but I simply was not hungry. You have to find what works for you. Even if you start your day with a simple protein shake, it is better than nothing. Breakfast fuels your body throughout the day. It kick starts your metabolism, and sets the pace for the rest of the day. If you do not eat breakfast, your metabolism slows and your body begins "starvation mode". You also will begin to feel sluggish by afternoon. It gives you energy, and keeps you going throughout the day. If you are worried about calories for dinner, perform 30-40 minutes of exercise to have some extra calories !
    I don't eat breakfast ever, and I train for around two and a half hours a day, four days a week, fasted from midnight the day before. My first meal is usually around 3-4pm, so maybe YOU feel sluggish without any food, but that is by no means applicable to everyone.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    Skipping breakfast makes you more tired throughout the day and slows down your metabolism. Your body goes into starvation mode because it has no idea when it's getting food next and then when you do eat it stores as much fat and sugar as possible because it's (again) not sure when it's going to get food next. If you want extra calories for dinner, try a simple workout. I walk each day for 45 minutes with my dog. That gives me 241 extra calories to use :) Cleaning your house, gardening, ect all add up.
    There are lots of peer reviewed clinical studies out there that would dispute the claims made here. The belief that this actually happens to the general public is information echoed by the breakfast cereal companies and misinformed diet and fitness advocates who lack real education in body physiology and nutrition.
    Look at some peer reviewed studies to confirm if you've been told holds true.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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