I know this is an often debated topic, but I'm honestly curious - if I'm in my calorie range, does it matter if I eat breakfast? I'm never hungry for it. When I eat it, I am hungrier and eat more throughout the day. My calories are higher on days that I eat breakfast. I weigh more when I consistently eat breakfast. I just don't get why I need it.
Honestly, I'd love an explanation to justify eating it
I have two breakfasts-- before bed and when I get up because I can't figure out how to manage medication, wonky sleep, and the fact that dinner is 6 PM and wake up at 8 AM. I cannot go 14 hours without eating or else I go bonkers.
I am also re-looking at the intuitive eating plan and that states that you shouldn't eat until you are hungry.
My husband laughs at me because when I tell him the many, many arguments for or against this or that he just says, "Figure out which one you agree with and only buy THOSE books!"
I got used to not eating breakfast. As a kid I was always running too late to get something to eat before going to school. My stomach can be very sensitive. I had some issues with eating to early and throwing up. So for a long time I have avoided breakfast.
Now, however, I eat breakfast everyday. I feel better and more prepared for the day after eating a healthy breakfast. The biggest benefit (for myself at least) that I have noticed is I have more energy through out the day if I eat breakfast. I can do more exercising, and I am more alert. If I skip breakfast I feel sluggish.
Very interesting! Thanks guys! I'm reading the article now. I think I'm going to try something different. Since I'm not a breakfast person, my usual breakfast consists of a granola bar or cereal (cheerios). That's pretty simple carbs, and I drain off the milk on cereal, so I don't get any protein.
Today, I'm eating a pear and a generous teaspoon (probably 1.5 teaspoons or under though) of peanut butter. If I get hungry before 11, I may just try mini meals and see how that affects my weight loss
Try googling for Intermittent Fasting (there are a variety of approaches to this). There are a lot of people who have found they do fine, or better, without breakfast. I suspect it's one of those everyone is different things.
I can't do breakfast either. I have a piece of fruit usually a couple of hours after I wake up, and then brunh...either breakfast fod or lunch food or some combo when most people would be having lunch, then a snack in the afternoon, then dinner then a snack in the evening.
I've only been at the eating less exercising more thing for a few weeks, and I've not yet weighed myself for this week, but in the first 3 weeks, I did fine. I lost 17 lbs, didn't feel like I was starving or deprived of anything, ate a frosty...just the tiny one...once a week because I don't want to feel deprived.
I've really increased me veg from...ahem, none to some, same with fresh or frozen fruit. I've eaten less animal protein, most of it chicken only a little beef and pork and one meal with shrimp.
I've had more energy and feel like my exercising level has improved, even though I am increasing it pretty slowly because I have a bulging disc and don't want to get hurt so I can't exercise at all. I count calories and fat, and I do NOT go over my planned amount.
I sure hope I continue to do well, because if I MUST eat breakfast, I will never make it. That's just me. If my way stops working, I'll have to figure out something else.
Try googling for Intermittent Fasting (there are a variety of approaches to this). There are a lot of people who have found they do fine, or better, without breakfast. I suspect it's one of those everyone is different things.
As always Julie is one step ahead of me. I didn't know the term but yes, I think this term appeals and applies to me.
If I wake up famished I absolutely do eat breakfast--usually I can think back and remember what I ate the day before that left me waking up to a famine. In general, I am in the mood to eat late afternoon/early evening. So, I have decided to allow myself to eat as my body is telling me it want to while still being mindful of counting calories and sticking to whole foods. Specifically, whole foods relatively low on the GI scale.
My journey and gathering of knowledge continues.
Last edited by Thighs Be Gone; 03-19-2010 at 03:58 PM.
That could be it. I'm looking into it. I'm keeping a daily food log and weight log this month, and I'm alternating between eating breakfast and not eating it. I'm hoping to see a pattern with weights, feelings, and eating.
I usually get hungry around 10am if I eat breakfast when I get up (7:30am, give or take). I won't be hungry until noon if I skip breakfast. But when I had breakfast this week of fruit and protein, I actually found that I ate less at night (though more in the day). It evened out calorie wise.
I'm still learning what's good for my body, even after 2 months of dieting. I will say, I can't even believe it's been two months! Although I've lost 15 pounds, I don't feel like I'm dieting. I feel fine, with what I eat :-)
I don't eat breakfast. I am never hungry when I wake up. I usually eat only 2 meals a day, the first about lunch time. The main part of energy use and metabolism is digestion, so of course you boost your metabolism when you eat-- obviously you are digesting something. Digestion amounts for a huge portion of daily calorie useage. Many people seem to say you should eat carbs to get "instant energy" and fat and protien for longer term energy. I feel if you are not dragging in the morning, you might not need anything. I don't understand it when people say that all people are different and then say that we all have to do the same thing. I have often tried to eat breakfast, but I do it a few times and stop-- I do want to rehydrate in the morning. Some liquids would be good.
I also (shock) don't think the idea about 3 meals or even 6 small meals that some people follow are needed. I like eating one larger meal rather than a lot of small ones. Why is it nescessary to keep your stomach active all day. That only trains it to expect feeding. I think it is more natural to allow your stomach to slow down and turn off -- I don't know the term, but it is what happens when you sleep. I think it is healthier because people's ancestors came from scavengers, not constant browsers, and they never knew where there next food would come from, or in what form it would be.
I guess everyone has ideas on this. I personally struggle with eating breakfast but since I am not to much of a morning person I usually just do an open faced egg sandwhich, 2 pieces french toast with sugar free syrup, 2 slices toast with peanut butter or something similar with a cup of coffee. I honestly just started doing this recently but I do feel like I have more energy than before, and I think this has to do at least in part with eating breakfast. After 8-10 hours or however long you sleep between meal...your body really does need fuel. I start to feel sluggish and don't want to eat. Then I realized that when I do eat when I feel like this I actually feel better and more energized.
JMHO....guess you have to figure out for yourself what works best.
Why does breakfast matter?
