How important is eating breakfast in the morning to weightloss?
Replies
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Breakfast is extremely important! It all depends on WHAT you eat (protein with complex carbs) in order to fuel your body to get it started for the day! By having a proper breakfast, you'll be able to have more control over your cravings and portions later in the day. Yes, it does matter more with certain medical conditions (I have type one diabetes), but it's also important for weight loss results and for feeling energized. If we skip meals or go more than 5 hours without eating, our portions tend to get larger which interferes with our goals. Something such as Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of berries or whole wheat English muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter can still be generally low in calories, but help keep you on track for the rest of the day.
Here's the thing. Some people feel hungrier throughout the day if they eat breakfast. Some people don't. Some people feel more energized in the mornings if they eat breakfast. Some people feel even more sluggish. Some people see an increase in mood or concentration first thing in the morning with breakfast. Others won't. This is one of those times where you can't take a generalization like "If we skip meals or go more than 5 hours without eating, our portions tend to get larger which interferes with our goals" and apply it to individuals. Personal preference is far more important here than generalizations and causation studies.0 -
If you're not hungry in the morning, and your weight loss is otherwise going okay, then go ahead and skip breakfast. Some people need to eat then, and some people don't.
If at some point you start struggling with the weight loss, you might want to consider trying to eat a reasonable breakfast for a week or so to see if having breakfast makes it easier for you to eat less the rest of the day.0 -
michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »I think that most people usually eat or graze approximately 4-5 hours apart (just as an example) for instance, breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 12:00, dinner around 5:00 or so. I actually eat around 6 small meals like breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack!! Doing this, I am never starving or craving. But point is that from dinner time to breakfast the next day is already around 15 hours without eating. Now push it to lunch and it's almost 20 hours without food or fuel. I believe (in my 'personal opinion') that eating breakfast or 6 meals like I do speeds up the metabolism which in my case is probably a strong factor in my 80+ pound weight loss. It is a preference to each person as stated. I would strongly recommend breakfast! My mother use to skip it all together & now that I have her eating even the littlest bit of something, even with no exercise for her (scoliosis & recent mastectomy) she has dropped around 10-15 pounds.
It is not really a matter of opinion ...
It is not my place to tell this person what to do only what has worked for me. I stated in my opinion this has worked for me, but it is just my opinion. Please elicit further...Are you saying that you agree or don't agree?
That's not a problem. The problem is that it's your "opinion" that it speeds up metabolism. It does not, and that fact is not a matter of opinion.
It was my opinion and not stated to be a fact! Thank you,
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If you don't have certain medical conditions it is completely unnecessary. Calories in < Calories out = Weight loss
If you aren't hungry don't worry about it, however, if you are hungry I wouldn't put it off too long because that could lead to binge eating.
Another thing to consider is if you are working out - - depending on the exercise I can't go on an empty stomach. When I run I go empty, when I am on my bike I need some fuel beforehand. Just something to consider.
This is me as well. If I don't eat breakfast I get crazy hungry around 10am. On work days, I have breakfast after my shower and have some tea with milk & sugar mid-morning. On days I'm not working, it might be a bit later in the morning.
I also generally can't exercise on an empty stomach. I like to have a small snack prior, if it's been a while since my last meal.
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michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »I think that most people usually eat or graze approximately 4-5 hours apart (just as an example) for instance, breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 12:00, dinner around 5:00 or so. I actually eat around 6 small meals like breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack!! Doing this, I am never starving or craving. But point is that from dinner time to breakfast the next day is already around 15 hours without eating. Now push it to lunch and it's almost 20 hours without food or fuel. I believe (in my 'personal opinion') that eating breakfast or 6 meals like I do speeds up the metabolism which in my case is probably a strong factor in my 80+ pound weight loss. It is a preference to each person as stated. I would strongly recommend breakfast! My mother use to skip it all together & now that I have her eating even the littlest bit of something, even with no exercise for her (scoliosis & recent mastectomy) she has dropped around 10-15 pounds.
It is not really a matter of opinion ...
It is not my place to tell this person what to do only what has worked for me. I stated in my opinion this has worked for me, but it is just my opinion. Please elicit further...Are you saying that you agree or don't agree?
That's not a problem. The problem is that it's your "opinion" that it speeds up metabolism. It does not, and that fact is not a matter of opinion.
It was my opinion and not stated to be a fact! Thank you,
It's not really a matter of opinion ...0 -
Breakfast is extremely important! It all depends on WHAT you eat (protein with complex carbs) in order to fuel your body to get it started for the day! By having a proper breakfast, you'll be able to have more control over your cravings and portions later in the day. Yes, it does matter more with certain medical conditions (I have type one diabetes), but it's also important for weight loss results and for feeling energized. If we skip meals or go more than 5 hours without eating, our portions tend to get larger which interferes with our goals. Something such as Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of berries or whole wheat English muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter can still be generally low in calories, but help keep you on track for the rest of the day.
Hmmmm one post. This one. I'd say ignore the advice because I'm also one of those who doesn't eat breakfast. If I do I'm so hungry I find it really hard to control my portions at lunch time. Without breakfast I'm hungry but I can make better choices so easier.0 -
michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »I think that most people usually eat or graze approximately 4-5 hours apart (just as an example) for instance, breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 12:00, dinner around 5:00 or so. I actually eat around 6 small meals like breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack!! Doing this, I am never starving or craving. But point is that from dinner time to breakfast the next day is already around 15 hours without eating. Now push it to lunch and it's almost 20 hours without food or fuel. I believe (in my 'personal opinion') that eating breakfast or 6 meals like I do speeds up the metabolism which in my case is probably a strong factor in my 80+ pound weight loss. It is a preference to each person as stated. I would strongly recommend breakfast! My mother use to skip it all together & now that I have her eating even the littlest bit of something, even with no exercise for her (scoliosis & recent mastectomy) she has dropped around 10-15 pounds.
It is not really a matter of opinion ...
It is not my place to tell this person what to do only what has worked for me. I stated in my opinion this has worked for me, but it is just my opinion. Please elicit further...Are you saying that you agree or don't agree?
That's not a problem. The problem is that it's your "opinion" that it speeds up metabolism. It does not, and that fact is not a matter of opinion.
It was my opinion and not stated to be a fact! Thank you,
Right, but your opinion is that it speeds up metabolism, but in fact, it does not. So yes, you can have your opinion, no matter how wrong it is, but facts are facts.
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michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »I think that most people usually eat or graze approximately 4-5 hours apart (just as an example) for instance, breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 12:00, dinner around 5:00 or so. I actually eat around 6 small meals like breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack!! Doing this, I am never starving or craving. But point is that from dinner time to breakfast the next day is already around 15 hours without eating. Now push it to lunch and it's almost 20 hours without food or fuel. I believe (in my 'personal opinion') that eating breakfast or 6 meals like I do speeds up the metabolism which in my case is probably a strong factor in my 80+ pound weight loss. It is a preference to each person as stated. I would strongly recommend breakfast! My mother use to skip it all together & now that I have her eating even the littlest bit of something, even with no exercise for her (scoliosis & recent mastectomy) she has dropped around 10-15 pounds.
It is not really a matter of opinion ...
It is not my place to tell this person what to do only what has worked for me. I stated in my opinion this has worked for me, but it is just my opinion. Please elicit further...Are you saying that you agree or don't agree?
That's not a problem. The problem is that it's your "opinion" that it speeds up metabolism. It does not, and that fact is not a matter of opinion.
It was my opinion and not stated to be a fact! Thank you,
Right, but your opinion is that it speeds up metabolism, but in fact, it does not. So yes, you can have your opinion, no matter how wrong it is, but facts are facts.
Thank you
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michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »michellesz wrote: »I think that most people usually eat or graze approximately 4-5 hours apart (just as an example) for instance, breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 12:00, dinner around 5:00 or so. I actually eat around 6 small meals like breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack!! Doing this, I am never starving or craving. But point is that from dinner time to breakfast the next day is already around 15 hours without eating. Now push it to lunch and it's almost 20 hours without food or fuel. I believe (in my 'personal opinion') that eating breakfast or 6 meals like I do speeds up the metabolism which in my case is probably a strong factor in my 80+ pound weight loss. It is a preference to each person as stated. I would strongly recommend breakfast! My mother use to skip it all together & now that I have her eating even the littlest bit of something, even with no exercise for her (scoliosis & recent mastectomy) she has dropped around 10-15 pounds.
It is not really a matter of opinion ...
It is not my place to tell this person what to do only what has worked for me. I stated in my opinion this has worked for me, but it is just my opinion. Please elicit further...Are you saying that you agree or don't agree?
That's not a problem. The problem is that it's your "opinion" that it speeds up metabolism. It does not, and that fact is not a matter of opinion.
It was my opinion and not stated to be a fact! Thank you,
Metabolic change is a measurable concept and cannot be subject to opinion.
If six small meals makes caloric deficit adherence easier for you, this is a matter of opinion. I'm glad you found what works for you.0 -
No, not important. I lost 99 lbs not eating breakfast. I've only ever eaten 2 meals a day (lunch & dinner). Because so many people preach it, I tried eating breakfast for a while. I didn't see any benefit, and I found it harder to fit my remaining meals into my calories for the day, so I stopped. I never was a breakfast eater, although I do love breakfast foods, I just eat them for lunch.0
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i used to never eat breakfast and i ended up eating a lot more during the day because i was starving. Now i eat breakfast because i hate overeating later. but I guess its a personal preference
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Wow, so many opinions and thoughts on this subject... I have really enjoyed reading them. Care for one more? Here's my 2 cents worth....
When I skip breakfast I find that I can go all day without that strong hunger. On the flip side, even when I eat a sensible and healthy breakfast, I will get hunger pangs after 5 or 6 hours that I simply can not get past and then I wind up eating more food (= calories) than I would have if I didnt eat breakfast.
Like other people have said, that's what I find is how my body works. I just wanted to throw it out there as one more possibility or option.
The BOTTOM line is this..... If you eat 2000 calories a day and eat them all at one sitting or spread them out through the day but only burn 1900 calories, you will never lose weight. If you eat 2000 calories a day and burn 2100 then you are on your way. It's really that simple. Just do what works for you and keeps your motor running, and eat less than you burn.
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surely there are success stories on both sides of the fence for this issue. Alas, those are anecdotal. The scientific community for years has said eat breakfast to lose weight. For example, Duke University's Nutrition folks have done a number of studies over the years (you can google it and read it yourself) that suggest folks who skip breakfast are more likely to binge eat later (http://www.dukedietcenter.org/breakfast-important-to-weight-loss-is-it-a-fact-or-a-myth.html). However, there may be another consideration. When you sleep, your metabolism slows down. WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/lose-weight-eat-breakfast) sites Elisabetta Politi at Duke DIet and Fitness Center as saying, "When you don't eat breakfast, you're actually fasting for 15-20 hours, so you're not producing the enzymes needed to metabolize fat to lose weight." This was always the bit that I heard about breakfast and weight loss - kickstarting the metabolism
Then again, I have seen other articles that challenge the Breakfast-weight loss mantra. For example: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/truth-about-breakfast-weight-loss
sites a study or two on the issue.
So, you know, there seems to be some dissension even in the scientific community. That suggests to me something many folks here realize already - everybody is different and needs to find some things that work for them. Log your food intake honestly and look at it over time. Watch results and try to match it to patterns in your results. If you are skipping breakfast and not losing weight, go back and look at what and when you are eating your next meal. If things aren't working for you, then perhaps try one of the healthy breakfast ideas for a couple weeks and see what happens. If you understand the issues involved (metabolism and binge eating) then you are better educated to tweak your own diet to find what makes you successful.
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I have seen a number of studies that suggest that people who eat breakfast lose more weight. That said, I usually find it easier/better for me to eat more of my calories later in the day.
Look: if you spend 2500 Calories and you eat 2000, you will lose weight.
There is little doubt in my mind that if the 2000 Calories you eat are JUST PERFECT: they're eaten at the right time, in the right combinations, have just the right macros, maximize the TEF, contain all the right nutrients, and are largely composed of quality grass fed and massaged ungulates and otherwise perfectly scrubbed "clean" foods you WILL gain a marginal advantage, and have even better health outcomes, as compared to eating 2000 Calories of McDonald's and Snickers bars.
There is also very little doubt in my mind that it is vastly more important, in terms of losing weight, that you primarily make sure you are eating 2000 Calories in the above situation. Because, really, if you end up eating 2200 calories of the perfect, and perfectly timed, food whatever marginal advantage this confers will be long gone in view of the lesser deficit!0 -
Thank you everyone for your "professional" opinions/experiences on the matter! I super duper appreciate it!!0
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