Is It Bad to Skip Breakfast?
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this week is slamming the age old saying:
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
I, of course, was infuriated by the news. I’m the biggest proponent of eating a balanced breakfast every morning and actually credit it for making me a morning person.
However, the findings are interesting.
The study followed three groups of people for 16 weeks. One group was told to eat breakfast before 10 a.m., one was told not to eat before 11 a.m., and the third wasn’t instructed either way. The results showed that all three groups lost a similar amount of weight.
Huh? So what happened to all that talk about breakfast being vital to weight loss? Does this mean that skipping meals is OK?
In my opinion, we shouldn’t jump on this headline too quickly.
The study did not take into account what the participants ate everyday or how much they ate. So there is a huge variety of factors that could have played a role in these findings.
Perhaps the breakfast eaters slammed a McDonald’s Sausage Egg McMuffin and a stack of sugary pancakes everyday. We just don’t know!
Even the researchers themselves said that the topic needs further investigation, as this study was too short to draw final conclusions.
Regardless, eating breakfast every morning works for me.
It helps fuel my body for my workouts, encourages me to get up and get going, and keeps my stomach satisfied, so I’m not a raging monster by lunch time.
Need some healthy breakfast ideas? Here are a few of my favorites:
Three 3-Ingredient Pancake Recipes
Healthy Eggs Benedict & Hollandaise Sauce
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Sylvia says:
Whaaat?? I can’t almost believe what I’m reading! But I would never be able to skip breakfast because I always wake up with a hunger so big that I could eat an elephant, and also because sitting down with a cup of coffee and something to eat is one of my favorite parts of the day. It makes my day start off a little calmer since I’m not a morning person AT ALL! ;)
Whitney English says:
Same!!! Except now I AM a morning person because I love getting up to eat my breaky and enjoy my coffee :) It’s the little things.
Rachel @ Betty LIVIN says:
I physically CANNOT skip breakfast. By about 9 a.m. I start to feel nauseous if I haven’t eaten.
Whitney English says:
Haha me too. The concept just doesn’t even register for me.
Alison @ The Fit Chronicles says:
Wow, what a ridiculous study!!! I sometimes wonder if they structure these studies solely for the press and headlines they’ll catch as a result.
If I don’t eat breakfast I’m a monster!
Whitney English says:
Seriously! I think the problem with this one though is more on the side of the media reporting. Which appears to be the problem a lot.
Sara Kashlan says:
Skipping breakfast is a big no no for me. I just… can’t. I become a total monster, just like you said hahah. There are tons of studies out there just like this one you mentioned that need more investigation to fully back them up. Breakfast FTW!
Whitney English says:
I’m with you there #TeamBreakfast
Kim says:
I rarely eat before noon – not to try and lose weight just because that is what works for me. I know it goes against lots of common thought but I’ve done this for years.
Ellen says:
My favorite foods are breakfast foods but not in the morning! I am not one of those people who is less likely to overeat later if I eat breakfast, either. I think if anything it makes me eat more. But I’m an anomaly, admittedly…
Tonya@Budget and the Beach says:
I would never believe a study like that. I would rather stay the same weight and eat a healthy breakfast every morning than wait till 11. Not only that, but it’s better for society. I would be a huge bitch if I waited that long. lol! I even have a small snack sometimes between breakfast and lunch, depending on what time I ate breakfast.
Kierston says:
My fave meal of the day is breakfast….there’s no way I’m skipping it! ;)
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says:
I can’t skip breakfast… or any meal, for that matter. Hangry Laura is not a fun person to be with. :)
Brittany @ Barr & Table says:
Ha! What a ridiculous article. I’m all for eating breakfast too. Even if I’m taking a rest day, I need food in my stomach or I am NOT a happy camper (don’t ask my husband!) That said, I’m a firm believer of doing what works for you, so if not eating breakfast is working, then go right ahead.
Bethann Wagner says:
If I don’t eat breakfast I am a nasty snatch so I shall continue eating it. Chilaquiles keep my marriage going strong!
Julie says:
I concur. I love breakfast regardless.
Makela says:
What do you think about eating MUESLI and 2% milk for breakfast?