You’ve probably heard this a thousand times: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, more researches suggest that this does not apply to most adults. Here’s the truth behind the myth about eating breakfast.
Is it really the most important meal of the day?
Researchers of the Frontiers in Public Health released a study showing that breakfast may not be as important as lunch and dinner. Their evidence showed that skipping this supposed important meal of the day may have metabolic effects in the body – but so does eating at night.
Moreover, researchers stated that skipping the first or the last meal does not matter since both will allow the body to enter a state of ketosis, which leads to the breaking down of body fats to release energy.
A number of studies, including one from Australia, concluded that some people gain weight by eating breakfast. The participants in the study, whose weights ranged from normal to overweight, gained 1.2 pounds after eating breakfast for seven weeks as opposed to those who skipped.
What Is Important?
Your meal intake is just as important as your caloric intake. As for breakfast, it may be better to choose foods that have complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and good fats. It should be followed with a healthy lunch and dinner, too.
To Skip or Not to Skip?
Skipping it may have a lot of benefits. One study concluded that having breakfast may not be an effective strategy to bring about weight loss. Thus, health experts should recommend breakfast with some caution.
The famous intermittent fasting method also practices skipping meals (including breakfast). Another study stated that it can reduce inflammation and improve blood sugar levels. On the other hand, intermittent fasting can still be practiced even while eating breakfast.
Please remember, breakfast is still very important for children, growing teens, and pregnant and lactating women.
In a Nutshell
You are your own story. You can either skip breakfast or not, depending on your own reasons. If you are a breakfast person, go ahead and enjoy your meal. Just focus on eating healthy choices.
On the other hand, if you feel like skipping it, still go ahead. What matters most is that you are taking care of yourself and you are eating the right kind and amount of food you need for a day.
My advice to my clients is to make sure they are staying away from processed sugars in breakfast. So the much-tempting pancakes with maple syrup should not be a part of your eating plan!
For more by this author, check out Positive Weight Loss Mindset
