Breakfast - a waste of calories?

I can't believe there are 16 pages of replys on this one question. But you know what they say about opinions being like a**holes, everyone's got one...

Is this poor child really any closer to the truth after all of the debate???

Are you able to explain (scientifically) how eating breakfast 'kicks' your metabolism?

Here's a good article on the subject:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/321836-does-eating-breakfast-raise-metabolism/

Are you able to explain (scientifically) how eating breakfast 'kicks' your metabolism?

Here's a good article on the subject:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/321836-does-eating-breakfast-raise-metabolism/

I agree with dad run, may be the most important meal... Got to put something in after a whole night sleep.

Science disagrees. It takes 3-4 days of complete fasting to have any effect on metabolism. A "whole night sleep" won't do anything.

I agree with dad run, may be the most important meal... Got to put something in after a whole night sleep.

Science disagrees. It takes 3-4 days of complete fasting to have any effect on metabolism. A "whole night sleep" won't do anything.

what does science say about food and having energy? O.o

Read the studies!! I mean damn man...we all know we need food, that's just survival instinct. If you had to eat every two freaking hours in order to have energy...we'd all be screwed.

Here's a great one, protein...how often do you eat it Monty?...you look pretty ripped.

again the comment was not dirrected towards you.. there are tons of contradicting studies when it comes to nutrition so picking certain ones over others just to prove points is ridiculous. ur telling me you are going to have more energy eating nothing before training as compared to eating a banana or some sort of carbohydrate? you think a day at work is better served with an empty stomach instead of having food in the morning? i mean cmon

Everyone who learns about nutrition through the usual channels, be it fitness magazines, mainstream diet books and forums, gets cursed with the prevailing belief system of what constitutes a good diet.

Though specific dietary recommendations vary slightly depending on who you listen to, there are many common denominators and "rules" that you are told you must adhere to. Call it broscience, incompetence or ignorance, same thing. We've all been there and we've all followed these rules. Led like sheep, not knowing better. Trusting that those we listen to knew what they were talking about. While these dietary myths run rampant in the bodybuilding and fitness community, you'll find that many are being endlessly propagated in the mainstream as well.

Upon closer scrutiny, the great majority lack scientific basis. They are born out out of half-truths, faulty conclusions drawn from poorly conducted studies or created when a study gets cited out of context.

Sometimes, what's claimed is even in exact opposition to what really occurs at a physiological level. Many people believe that alcohol is fattening, more so than any other macronutrient. Yet, if you look at how inefficiently the body converts ethanol to fat, you'll find that it's completely backwards. I talked about this in "The Truth about Alcohol, Fat Loss and Muscle Growth". Also note how the proposed negative effect of alcohol on muscle growth doesn't even exist in the scientific literature.

You'll see similar examples in this article. For example, in short-term fasting, it's often claimed that metabolic rate slows down - yet looking at the studies, the opposite is true.

The myths I'll debunk today are being kept alive by:

1. Repetition. Repeat something often enough and it becomes the truth. If everyone is saying the same thing, it must be true. No need to look into it and think for yourself. The fact that bodybuilders and fitness celebrities keep propagating these myths doesn't help either. Most people reason that if these people do it, it must be great. Unfortunately, bodybuilders and fitness celebrities might just be one of the last people on earth you should listen to if you want objective and accurate opinions in nutrition.



2. Commercial forces. For example, the supplement industry benefits greatly from people believing that frequent feedings provide a metabolic advantage. People don't have time to eat six cooked meals a day. Instead, they turn to meal replacement powders, shakes and protein bars. The cereal and grain industry benefits by preaching about the virtues of breakfast for weight control, health and fat loss. There's no commercial incentive in telling people that they would do just fine with three squares a day.

3. Few people have the knowledge or interest needed to interpret the scientific evidence and draw their own conclusions. In order to do this you would need an academic background that included critical examination of studies and study methodology as part of the learning process.

However, an academic background, or an extensive education in nutrition or physiology, seems to correlate very poorly with truthfulness and objectivity in the field of dietetics in my experience. The advice and claims I have seen made by many RDs (Registered Dietitians) has been so shamelessly wrong that I put little stock in anything they have to say. The same goes for many "diet gurus" and so-called health experts with a solid list of academic credentials.

That people who should know better keep repeating the same myths is somewhat puzzling and strange. Perhaps they lose interest in keeping up with research. What we know today is a bit different from what we knew twenty years ago after all. Or maybe they're afraid that their credibility would be questioned if they change the advice they have been giving for years. I'm not sure. I've been thinking about it quite a bit. But I digress. Back to the topic.

I eat breakfast because as a mother****ing adult, it is the only socially acceptable time for me to have a big bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with almond milk.

This:

I always used to skip breakfast - just didn't care for eating in the morning. I have to say though, since I started logging and forcing myself to eat in the mornings, breakfast has turned in my favorite meal of the day. For whatever reason, I really look forward to my oatmeal, boiled eggs, crackers, and a few minutes of SportsCenter each morning. :-)

Is because this DOES carry over:

Your metabolism doesn't stop. It may slow down, but not to the point where you won't lose weight. What eating does do is set off hormonal responses that make you feel hungry. People who don't eat breakfast are merely delaying that response.

If I eat breakfast, I'm ravenous all day. If I don't eat breakfast...I can easily go clear to the next dinner without eating. This is after a 2000-3000cal series of 'evening meals' the night before...usually over a 4-5hr window.

It is amazing to me how prevalent the antiquated belief that food in the morning is what causes your metabolism to activate...even though it's been PROVEN that it doesn't stop, and barely (if at all) even slows down when sleeping. Just GETTING UP in the morning, increases your metabolism the tiny amount that it will be increased from your sleeping metabolic rate.

Eating breakfast is a preferance, not a necessity.

Well, it depends on the individual. Right now its a necessity for me when I'm doing hard labor on some days, even if its for a short time on that day. If I don't eat a heavy breakfast I'll get where I'm useless, tired and possibility close to passing out. On days I'm not I don't have to and I didn't before so you just got to listen to your body on whats right. I mistakenly ate a big breakfast one day and felt great which then found out that is what I needed for my day to get through it okay. So from my own experience I'm assuming activity plays a major role in how we need to eat.