How important is breakfast really?

CarMe

I'm wondering if any of you have an insight for me, I've been really paying attention to my body lately and I've found that when I eat breakfast (which is most days), it makes me really hungry for the rest of the day. Even by 10am I'll be hungry and this is with a relatively healthy breakfast like boiled egg, porraige, Greek yog etc, not sugary cereals which I understand may cause cravings.
Whereas when I skip breakfast I'm much more satisfied for the rest of the day and make much better choices.
Is breakfast essential for weight loss? I know that it starts up metabolism but does that outweigh eating more than when I don't have breakfast? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Stench Blossoms

No, breakfast is not essential for weight loss.

Sometimes I eat breakfast, other times I don't.

What matters is overall calories.

Everyone is different, do what works for you.

Honey-ec

CarMe wrote: »

Is breakfast essential for weight loss? I know that it starts up metabolism but does that outweigh eating more than when I don't have breakfast? I'd love to hear your opinions.

No, it's not essential. There is some evidence that eating in the am can speed up your metabolism by up to 10% for the day, but if it's making you so much hungrier that you're cancelling out that 10% by eating more than usual over the rest of the day, then it's a waste of time. As Stenchy has said, it's your overall calorie deficit at the end of the day that's important for weight loss, not when you eat.

I never eat breakfast. I just don't get hungry til about 12.30/1pm. I went through a phase of forcing myself to eat it, because we've been fed the mantra that it's "the most important meal of the day" for years. But eventually I just accepted that it was a waste of calories because I wasn't enjoying eating them.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who, if they skipped breakfast, would simply end up caving and having a muffin or a Danish or a massive lunch instead, which obviously isn't the greatest idea. But if you genuinely don't feel the need for breakfast and can manage your food intake properly without it, then don't force yourself to eat it.

GorillaRising

Also, eat what you want for breakfast! Have a steak if you feel like it!

I had a (homemade) turkey and roast beef sandwich for breakfast this morning. Delicious!

runawaybishop

CarMe wrote: »

I'm wondering if any of you have an insight for me, I've been really paying attention to my body lately and I've found that when I eat breakfast (which is most days), it makes me really hungry for the rest of the day. Even by 10am I'll be hungry and this is with a relatively healthy breakfast like boiled egg, porraige, Greek yog etc, not sugary cereals which I understand may cause cravings.
Whereas when I skip breakfast I'm much more satisfied for the rest of the day and make much better choices.
Is breakfast essential for weight loss? I know that it starts up metabolism but does that outweigh eating more than when I don't have breakfast? I'd love to hear your opinions.

I've both eaten breakfast in the morning (usually had to force it into me), and not had food until 12 when trying to gain weight and didn't find any difference between the two except that I ate lunch an hour later when I had breakfast. As long as your intake is the same it doesn't really matter of you have one meal or 6 so do whatever works for your lifestyle.

HungryJoey

In fariness though, There is a lot more to it than just "Calories in, calories out". It also very much relies on the quality and source of the food you feed it (Processed/Whole/Natural etc..)

I am one who will probably tell you that breakfast is probably one of the more important meals of the day for two reasons. One) You most probably haven't eaten since the night before (8-12 hours) which is a long time for your body to go without being provided any nutrients. Your body tends to do a lot of its "repairing" when you sleep too which is why it is important to eat the right food in the evening and morning when you wake up, at which point your body is crying out to be replenished. Two) The start of the day is a good time to set up your body with the required energy and nutrientsfor the morning and afternoon before it gets a further intake of food. I always eat a good solid wholesome breakfast(Doesn't have to be cereal and toast!), which usually combined with maybe a mid-morning snack keeps me going until lunch time.

I guess a deeper understanding how the body works would probably lead you to believe how important a meal at the start of the day really is, further more supported by the type of exercise, training or daily activities you go by daily. I personally do cardio to keep fat levels lower and train in the gym most days and wake up every morning with what feels like a "burning hole" in my stomach as it awaits to be fed! This includes eating something suitable before I go to bed to help "feed" my body slowly overnight without affecting weight.

I've been up and down in weight (significantly) over the years but when ever I return to a stable and spaced out diet throughout the day, including a decent breakfast(not carb loaded!), I always return into good shape.

runawaybishop

HungryJoey wrote: »

In fariness though, There is a lot more to it than just "Calories in, calories out". It also very much relies on the quality and source of the food you feed it (Processed/Whole/Natural etc..)

I am one who will probably tell you that breakfast is probably one of the more important meals of the day for two reasons. One) You most probably haven't eaten since the night before (8-12 hours) which is a long time for your body to go without being provided any nutrients. Your body tends to do a lot of its "repairing" when you sleep too which is why it is important to eat the right food in the evening and morning when you wake up, at which point your body is crying out to be replenished. Two) The start of the day is a good time to set up your body with the required energy and nutrientsfor the morning and afternoon before it gets a further intake of food. I always eat a good solid wholesome breakfast(Doesn't have to be cereal and toast!), which usually combined with maybe a mid-morning snack keeps me going until lunch time.

With regards to weight loss, there is not a lot more to it than calories in/calories out. There is no such thing as "the most important meal of the day". They are all important. Eating breakfast works for some people, it doesn't for others. It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you eat breakfast or not.

HungryJoey

runawaybishop wrote: »

With regards to weight loss, there is not a lot more to it than calories in/calories out. There is no such thing as "the most important meal of the day". They are all important. Eating breakfast works for some people, it doesn't for others. It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you eat breakfast or not.

That statement as whole is just untrue. While I agree regards Calories in > Calories out is a means of measurement for aiding weight loss, there is still far more science behind it than just numbers

It is possible to run a calorie deficit and loose weight. Whether that is healthy or not, largely depends what you are actually eating within them limits.

I also never once mentioned that breakfast was the "most important meal of the day" but I do believe it is an important time to eat in the day as I emphasised on the post above, you haven't eaten most likely for 10+hours - why starve your body any longer(appetite or no appetite)?

runawaybishop

HungryJoey wrote: »

That statement as whole is just untrue. While I agree regards Calories in > Calories out is a means of measurement for aiding weight loss, there is still far more science behind it than just numbers

Calories in/out is the fundamental basis for weight loss, it is not just a means of measurement. If you want to discuss satiety and macros then say so, don't beat around the bush.

HungryJoey wrote: »

It is possible to run a calorie deficit and loose weight. Whether that is healthy or not, largely depends what you are actually eating within them limits.

It is only possible to lose weight with a calorie deficient.

HungryJoey wrote: »

I also never once mentioned that breakfast was the "most important meal of the day" but I do believe it is an important time to eat in the day as I emphasised on the post above, you haven't eaten most likely for 10+hours - why starve your body any longer(appetite or no appetite)?

You specifically said "I am one who will probably tell you that breakfast is probably one of the more important meals of the day ".

Fasting for 8-10 hours is nothing. Many people fast for 12-16 hours without any issue or, indeed, without "starving" themselves.

thegreatiam

GorillaRising wrote: »

Also, eat what you want for breakfast! Have a steak if you feel like it!

I had a (homemade) turkey and roast beef sandwich for breakfast this morning. Delicious!

beef, carrots and onions. left over from yesterday ;-)

don't normally eat breakfast but it was sitting there looking yummy so I grabbed a small plate full while I was getting dressed.

Breakfast/no breakfast boils down to this:
If you are hungry when you wake then eat something. If you are not hungry when you wake then don't force yourself.

You will be one or the other, accept that fact and eat accordingly.

Do not force your self to skip breakfast simply because some research says it may or may not help with your weight loss. and also don't force your self to eat breakfast when you do not want to.

Alf Veedersane

Some days I have breakfast, some days I don't.

I'm a bit maverick like that.

starlit

Everyone is different but I am one of those people who cannot go through the day without a breakfast. No matter how sick or tired or rushed I am or time of day it is, I always have my breakfast though cant drink coffee till noon with exception of latte in morning the very odd time. I'm not able to drink coffee till after noon. My meals are regular eat in moderation etc.

I could skip dinner or tea/supper no problem but I'd miss it. I have toast at night before bed but might not have it every night if not hungry. I be disciplined with food not one to eat desserts that much. Diet relatively healthy mainly vegetarian with some meat. I include dairy alright.

Even if you skipped breakfast you should still try to eat something first thing even something light or tea/coffee to give you energy first thing. I be weak and get upset tummy without having something first thing takes time to get my energy back in the mornings no matter how well rested or bad nights sleep I've had.

Sleep is more important though but I think for health reasons you less likely to snack if you have some kind of breakfast after sleep and until lunch/dinner time. If you had porraige or scrambled egg surely that keep snacks at bay?

thegreatiam

doovdela wrote: »

Everyone is different but I am one of those people who cannot go through the day without a breakfast. No matter how sick or tired or rushed I am or time of day it is, I always have my breakfast though cant drink coffee till noon with exception of latte in morning the very odd time. I'm not able to drink coffee till after noon. My meals are regular eat in moderation etc.

I could skip dinner or tea/supper no problem but I'd miss it. I have toast at night before bed but might not have it every night if not hungry. I be disciplined with food not one to eat desserts that much. Diet relatively healthy mainly vegetarian with some meat. I include dairy alright.

Even if you skipped breakfast you should still try to eat something first thing even something light or tea/coffee to give you energy first thing. I be weak and get upset tummy without having something first thing takes time to get my energy back in the mornings no matter how well rested or bad nights sleep I've had.

Sleep is more important though but I think for health reasons you less likely to snack if you have some kind of breakfast after sleep and until lunch/dinner time. If you had porraige or scrambled egg surely that keep snacks at bay?

I can probably count the number of times ive eaten breakfast in my life without even taking my socks off.
I rarely snack, I never get hunger pangs before 6/7 pm.

you cant start your point by saying everyone is different, then conclude that everyone should still try to get some food in the mornings. Just because you get weak or get stomach pains without breakfast doesn't mean someone else does.

OP do what you choose. If you think breakfast early is helping you then do so. If you think breakfast late is better then that's whats better.

Sangre

Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to control as its nearly always eaten at home (unless you choose to eat in work). Therefore, it can be useful way of getting into good eating habits and/or having a guaranteed way of eating 1/3rd of your main meals in a healthy manner.

--Kaiser--

HungryJoey wrote: »

I am one who will probably tell you that breakfast is probably one of the more important meals of the day for two reasons. One) You most probably haven't eaten since the night before (8-12 hours) which is a long time for your body to go without being provided any nutrients.

8 - 12 hours is NOT a long time to be going without food. It's only recently in the history of our species that we've had more or less constant supplies of food (in addition to the fact that we are at the very least designed to go without eating food while we're asleep). Really, your body can do quite fine without food for days if need be (personally I've gone for 3-4 days with only water, being quite active too)

conzy

I actively avoid breakfast, as soon as eat I'm starving and crave a large meal.

By about 10:30 in work I'm not even hungry any more and then I eat my biggest meal of the day at lunchtime

gymprincess27

CarMe wrote: »

I'm wondering if any of you have an insight for me, I've been really paying attention to my body lately and I've found that when I eat breakfast (which is most days), it makes me really hungry for the rest of the day. Even by 10am I'll be hungry and this is with a relatively healthy breakfast like boiled egg, porraige, Greek yog etc, not sugary cereals which I understand may cause cravings.
Whereas when I skip breakfast I'm much more satisfied for the rest of the day and make much better choices.
Is breakfast essential for weight loss? I know that it starts up metabolism but does that outweigh eating more than when I don't have breakfast? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Hi have a read of this

http://crudefitness.com/diet/want-to-lose-weight-skip-breakfast/