Skipping Breakfast

[Luckyfeather]

I was watching Good Morning America this morning and am curious what "fellow viewers" thought about the conversation they had about skipping breakfast. I like eating cereal for breakfast during the week, (we usually eat a bacon/egg breakfast on weekends) but for the last three weeks or so I've been skipping breakfast trying to shed a few pounds. I find that I will eat the same amount of food (lunch & dinner) whether or not I eat breakfast, so thought I could save some calories this way. So far, I haven't missed my breakfasts, and I have more time in the morning. I was just curious what others think about this new "finding" that skipping breakfast is good for you, rather than, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

[LakeMartinGal]

Some days, I eat more if I skip breakfast, but other days not... it just depends on the day for me. I always have coffee, Fresca and a handful of pills :rolleyes: for breakfast, so I don't know if that counts as 'skipping.' If I eat a big breakfast (bagel and cream cheese), then I can eat lunch later, and not need an afternoon snack.

All that to say, whatever works for your body is what you should do... these dang things didn't come with a manual, so it's all trial and error, anyway! ;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Disclaimer: I'm not a dietician nor a doctor so...

I think in the short run it wouldn't be an issue to skip breakfast or even in the long run to skip one or two breakfasts a week. But I think it would be counterproductive in the long run to make that your life habit. There are definite issues with not eating enough calories in a day (don't know how many that might be but it is some number) because that will hamper your ability to lose weight.

From the athlete's or even non-athlete but active persons point of view, if I'm going to do something strenuous in the morning I can't go without breakfast and expect to complete the exercise without bonking.

Lastly, long term skipping of breakfast can cause other physiological issues I'm told. Has to do with the body's production of insulin (not a hormone I believe) and other hormones that are triggered by food consumption. But remembering the disclaimer I can't comment on those because it's only folklore and conjecture for me (no way to back up what I'd propose).

Like LakeMartinGal said too - what works for one person might not work for another and there isn't an owners manual (darn that!).

This could be an interesting discussion...
Les

[Connor's mom]

Ditto on all of Les' comments - first thing that came to my mind is refueling your body ("breaking the fast"), especially if you exercise in the morning.

Not being a dietician/expert and not sure how true it is, but I have read that people who skip breakfast *typically* end up eating MORE calories in a day b/c they are so hungry later. For what it's worth, the personal trainer we work out with is a big proponent of grazing (we don't do this) for keeping your metabolism level up. What does skipping breakfast do to metabolism since you go such a long time from dinner to lunch?

Personally, I could not imagine skipping breakfast. Maybe it's "self-induced", but I get a headache if I don't eat something in the morning.

Denise

[SusanMac]

I'm curious what the GMA feature said about skipping breakfast. Can you give a summary of the piece? And what was the source? (sounds like maybe the results of a new study?)

I'd think it would be better physically & mentally to cut back a few calories from each meal throughout the day, rather than cutting out a whole meal. That's just me, though. If I've eaten correctly on the previous day, I'm usually very hungry in the morning and wouldn't be able to last through lunch. I prefer to have small lunches (opposite of what's often recommended, I know).

[Angelina]

Eating breakfast is what gets me out of bed, on many mornings!

On those rare occasions when I have skipped eating breakfast at home (shredded wheat with soy milk and fruit, and tea), I end up buying croissants or bagels on the way to work, which is not a good idea.

Also, if I really don't eat anything in the morning, I will end up eating a bigger lunch, most likely things that I shouldn't be eating, justifying myself that I saved all those calories from breakfast...

I saw that segment too, but I think it wouldn't work for me. I am going to keep eating breakfast. I love breakfast. :)

Angela

[Terri_A]

Goto the link below, look under "Hot Topics" and you'll see "The Skinny on Skipping Breakfast" and you can see the video clip.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/?CMP=google_bcast&partner=google&gclid=CPrQg-eQwIcCFRdDGgodI1c-Gg

[annagins]

I think it's all just a matter of "calories in" vs. "calories out" -- especially in terms of breakfast. It's so subjective, anyway. Some people have breakfast at 6:00 am and others at 9:30 -- maybe 2 hours or so after they've gotten up.

It would be interesting to get the real scoop on calories eaten at night. Some people believe that what you put in your body after, oh, 5:00 is going to turn into fat, but I don't buy that. I think the evening hours are just prime binge hours.

Haven't reputable nutritionists and doctors already concluded that it's not so much when you eat but how much? Why do we (including myself) keep falling for all this kookiness? :confused:

I love breakfast, but would probably be just fine if I started skipping it and got those calories a few hours later at lunch. What's the big deal about a few hours?

I'm dealing with this right now with my kid. She is not hungry in the morning, and I can't decide whether I'm a "bad mom" for trying to get her to eat when she's decidedly not hungry or a "good mom" for pushing her to eat a nourishing breakfast which she just doesn't want.

[Leslie Ferguson]

The biggest thing I remember about not eating after 5 pm (although I seem to remember the time as 8 pm but that might be the cosmopolitan -- not -- part of me) is most people eat empty calories after dinner. They tend to fill themselves with cakes, ice cream, and other higher calorie/higher fat/lower nutrition things. I think if you eat healthful things (yogurt, fruit, healthful snacks, etc.) you'll be fine eating after dinner. As for why we (collectively) fall for tales like diet tales is they sound plausible and can be supported (but often for different reasons than the tale spinner intends).

Les

[wallycat]

Here are my thoughts--I am a dietitian, but I am not a research scientist and I take what I've learned in school with a grain of salt.

This stuff is in no particular order, just ramblings:

1. Studies show that people who eat breakfast live longer than those who don't. Why? The studies I looked at didn't have specifics but the implication was that those who ate breakfast had over-all healthier life styles and chose healthier foods.

2. For women, breakfast can sometimes be iffy, especially during a hormonal roller-coaster (peri, pregnancy, periods, etc.) where they aren't always hungry first thing in the morning. I don't think anyone should eat if they aren't hungry (or feeling nauseaus) but to wait till noon for lunch may not be optimal either. Maybe a small "snack" a few hours after being up on these days.

3. People's blood sugars vary and if you have diabetes, are on meds, etc. all of this affects how low your glucose drops at night and what your fasting blood sugars are in the morning. If you tend to run higher numbers (not good), you may not be hungry. Depending on what you are snacking on before bed will have effects on how hungry you are in the morning.

4. Studies have shown that people who eat cereals/grains for breakfast tend to become hungrier sooner and often consume more calories throughout the day. If you're skipping breakfast because you find yourself hungrier, stick to some protein/fat with your healthier grains/fruits.

5. Calories in/calories out is a good principle, but studies do show that there is a small lag in how our bodies process calories. That some people's bodies sort of rev up a bit if they've over eaten to burn off excess and slow down if you don't eat enough...to what degree this happens and if it happens to everyone isn't really known.

6. If you are hungry, find a healthy breakfast and eat it. Find a bathroom on a lower or upper level and take the stairs everytime you have to go (this only works if you work and are in a multi-level building). Burn the extra calories that way (or find another way) and don't punish and starve yourself.

[RD chef]

I tend to agree with Wallycat. I am a dietitian as well, (though not practicing currently.) Before I left the clinical setting I dealt exclusively with diabetics and morbid obesity. The common theme in the morbid obese, and even those with just 25 lbs. or so to lose, was that they didn't eat breakfast. I also found it interesting that they didn't drink alcohol either. What they did do, was eat heavy lunches and dinners, and eat very fast. Lots of fatty snack foods. Often times, my patients would report they could eat a very large plate of food at a meal in under 10 minutes.

I believe it's calories in vs. calories out. I also think that a slow relaxed meal, with a glass of wine, can make a person eat more mindfully and effect metabolism. Maybe part of the reason the Mediterranean diet/French paradox, etc have so many benefits. ??

[Kathy B]

4. Studies have shown that people who eat cereals/grains for breakfast tend to become hungrier sooner and often consume more calories throughout the day. If you're skipping breakfast because you find yourself hungrier, stick to some protein/fat with your healthier grains/fruits.



This is new to me, although I might believe it. I often eat cereal or oatmeal for breakfast on days I work, because I had always heard a whole grain takes longer for your body to digest and keeps you feeling full longer. But somedays I find myself hungry pretty early, and then I wonder what happened to my whole grain breakfast as it doesn't seem to be doing it's job. Other days, I don't get hungry, but I suspect it is because I am busier on those days and don't notice it.

I don't understand the rationale, though. WHY would one be hungry sooner after a whole grain breakfast? :confused:

[wallycat]

Carbs are converted into glucose and enter the blood stream faster than proteins or fats do.
On a gradation scale of conversion, there are fastER converting carbs and slower converting carbs, but in relation to fat or protein, they will always be fastEST.
The Glycemic Index and glycemic load give some sort of scale and a sort of "face" to the carbs and how they respond to the body, but again, each person's body is a little different so even those numbers aren't carved in stone.
Also, those are for pure carb eating which means if you include a fat or protein, you alter the glycemic value of the whole meal.

If you have cereal in the morning, it will leave your belly much faster than say, cereal with sprinkled nuts or flax seed, or a sandwich with PB or melted cheese.

Oats/oatmeal are whole grains. They are very good for us. If you eat them in the morning, they can cause a spike in blood sugars if your body isn't good at processing sugars (like mine). The same amount of Barley flakes would have a much slower response for most people.
If I have cereal, I know my blood sugar spikes high after 1 hour and then comes crashing down quickly as my body tries to clear out the spiking glucose. This leaves me shakey, tired, sweaty and STARVING.
If I have a whole grain sandwich and spread some soynut butter or sunflower seed butter on it, I can make it for almost 2 hours without being ravenous.
If I eat tofu and some bread or if I have lox/whole grain bread or even eggs with a WASA cracker or something, I can actually make it to lunch---provided I eat lunch at 11:30 :p

[SusanMac]

This is all totally interesting!

[LakeMartinGal]

6. If you are hungry, find a healthy breakfast and eat it. Find a bathroom on a lower or upper level and take the stairs everytime you have to go (this only works if you work and are in a multi-level building). Burn the extra calories that way (or find another way) and don't punish and starve yourself. That made me laugh! Thanks! :D

[krhm]

Interesting topic. I force myself to eat something with my coffee, and then eat something more substantial later. This helps a great deal with my 4 pm slump. I just notice a huge difference on the days that I don't eat something pretty much as soon as I wake up.

And interesting about the whole grains too. I've always noticed that oatmeal will leave me starving in an hour!

Wallycat, this is off topic, but I always enjoy your posts...you're very thoughtful to explain everything and your writing is very clear!

[GreenMountain]

Hi to everyone. I've been a lurker until now. Decided it's time to jump in to this interesting forum.

I used to skip breakfast then I'd end up eating too much too late. As mentioned in another post, eating oatmeal left me very hungry - so I tried high protein, eggs, etc. Stayed with me, but I don't have much time in the morning so I hit upon a solution that works well. I put a plate of supper leftovers together when I'm cleaning up in the evening, nuke it in the morning and there's breakfast. Unusual but it has worked for me. Plus I'm not so hungry by the time I get home from work.

[wallycat]

Interesting topic. I force myself to eat something with my coffee, and then eat something more substantial later. This helps a great deal with my 4 pm slump. I just notice a huge difference on the days that I don't eat something pretty much as soon as I wake up.

And interesting about the whole grains too. I've always noticed that oatmeal will leave me starving in an hour!

Wallycat, this is off topic, but I always enjoy your posts...you're very thoughtful to explain everything and your writing is very clear!

Thank you :o :o :o :o

Protein/fat doesn't need to be eggs if that is a time crunch for you.
PB or any nut butter will work too.

I've also scrambled my eggs microwave style and it takes about 1 minute....
in a bowl, whisk and add a little water, seasonings, etc...(cheese or milk if you like that), zap for 35 seconds, stir and zap again for about 40 or so seconds. Of course this all depends on your microwave but they are near-perfect scrambled eggs.

You could also make a frittata the night before (get your veggies in too that way) and just re-heat in the microwave by the slice.

Prevention magazine made a note that you can add PB into your oatmeal which helps with the glucose issues.

And I do indulge in cheese at breakfast on occasion :D

[Kathy B]

I usually pour milk on my oatmeal, although it is skim milk. It wouldn't count as a fat, but wouldn't that be a protein? I also usually add a few chopped walnuts and some raisins. Maybe those are the days that I don't notice being hungry quite so soon. OTOH, I usually have to eat by 6:00 AM on work days, so breakfast is a LONG time away from lunch, whatever I have to eat!

And wallycat, thanks from me too for explaining all of this. It IS very interesting! :)

[wallycat]

I usually pour milk on my oatmeal, although it is skim milk. It wouldn't count as a fat, but wouldn't that be a protein? I also usually add a few chopped walnuts and some raisins. Maybe those are the days that I don't notice being hungry quite so soon. OTOH, I usually have to eat by 6:00 AM on work days, so breakfast is a LONG time away from lunch, whatever I have to eat!

And wallycat, thanks from me too for explaining all of this. It IS very interesting! :)

You're welcome too :)

Although milk (skim or whole or anything in between :p ) has protein in it, it also has carbs. If you're still feeling hungry, it just may be too many carbs per serving.
Milk is about 12 grams of carb and 8 grams of protein per cup.
The nuts should help slow things down.
If you are using 1 or 2% milk, some of the dairy fat would slow things down too.
Raisins will act like a carb--they do have some fiber, which does slow things a bit, but probably not enough to off-set all the carbs in that meal.

[pilgrim719]

Here's a recipe I tried recently that was really good! It's pretty quick to throw together and was very filling. I used unsweetened soy milk instead of water to cook the oats. This would also be great with maple syrup or honey in place of the molasses. I had it as an evening snack, but I thought it sounded like something that would be good to post on this thread for you breakfast-eaters.

Start Your Day Right Oatmeal
from www.vegweb.com

1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 banana, mashed
1 tablespoon flax meal
1/2 - 1 cup soy or almond milk

Directions:

Put oats, water, peanut butter, and molasses in a bowl and microwave for about a minute, or until water is absorbed and oats are soft. Stir in mashed banana, then flax meal. Top with soy/almond milk and enjoy.

Serves: 1

Preparation time: a few minutes


For the record, I do eat breakfast, but it's most often some sort of egg/cheese/fake meat sandwich, PB on some kind of bread or muffin, or leftovers from dinner. Not a huge fan of breakfast foods in the morning, since they usually taste too sweet or don't give me enough energy for the daily activities.

Kari

[GingerPow]

I love oatmeal, have ever since I was little. I absolutely love it with almond milk, walnuts or pecans, a dash of cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup! About a half an hour after I eat that, I'm ready for a nap! :D

My mother used to add a beaten egg to the pot of oatmeal in the cold weather because she thought it would stick with us a bit better - well she was right. So now I'll add the beaten egg and mix-mix-mix until it's cooked through. The protein does prevent the blood sugar spike & drop as WALLYCAT (oh font of nutritional wisdom) mentioned!

I've also tried what GREENMOUNTAIN mentioned - heat up last night's leftovers. Lasagne can make a suprisingly good breakfast! :D

Oh! WELCOME to GREENMOUNTAIN!