Thinking About Skipping Breakfast? Why It's Not A Healthy Idea For Most People

Breakfast is often dubbed the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. Not only can getting a healthy breakfast in your belly help set your day off on the right foot, but it may also be associated with a few bonus health benefits.

First, a little Breakfast 101: Breakfast is defined as the first meal of the day, which is usually eaten1 in the morning, within two to three hours of waking up.

"While there is some debate in the literature about whether we must consume breakfast, we do have evidence that eating breakfast regularly is associated with reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes2 and high blood pressure3," says Desiree Nielsen, R.D., a registered dietitian and author of Good for Your Gut.

According to Amy Shapiro, M.S., R.D., CDN, a registered dietitian and founder of Real Nutrition NYC, eating breakfast in the morning can help prevent a sudden surge in blood sugar levels4 later in the day after a prolonged fasting period, leading to improved blood sugar control.

Plus, some studies even show that a nutritious breakfast could keep blood sugar steady long beyond lunchtime. "Research suggests that a protein-rich breakfast, like two slices of sprouted grain toast with natural peanut butter, or a green smoothie with protein powder, can help promote more stable blood sugars5 throughout the day," says Nielsen.

In addition to stabilizing blood sugar levels, a balanced breakfast can also provide fuel to help you power through your day and supply your cells with a steady stream of energy.

Grabbing a quick meal before school or work might be especially beneficial for brain function.

According to Shapiro, your brain requires energy7 to function at its optimal level, which is why a well-rounded breakfast is so crucial. Plus, a well-rounded breakfast can help keep your stomach from grumbling.

"Since the sense of hunger can interrupt concentration, eating breakfast helps you stay focused," adds Shapiro.

When it comes to weight management, the role of breakfast is controversial.

While there's no clear consensus on whether or not eating breakfast can impact your waistline10, it can help increase feelings of fullness. In fact, one study in adolescent girls found that eating breakfast reduced appetite11 and did not increase overall daily calorie intake compared to skipping breakfast.

On the other hand, research on whether or not eating breakfast can help bump up metabolism has turned up mixed results. However, while studies show that breakfast doesn't have a significant impact on the number of calories that you burn at rest, skipping breakfast could lead to less physical activity12 during the day. Theoretically, this could translate to fewer calories burned, which could slow weight loss, but more research is still needed.

When paired with resistance training, fitting enough protein into your diet can help stimulate muscle protein synthesis, aka muscle growth. As a leading protein researcher Don Layman, Ph.D., previously explained on the mindbodygreen podcast, distributing your protein intake throughout the day (starting with at least 30 grams during breakfast) is a healthier strategy than trying to cram in all your protein later in the day.

Just as important as making time for breakfast is choosing the right foods. To get the most nutritional bang for your buck, Nielsen recommends pairing high-fiber fruits, veggies, and whole grains with a good source of protein and heart-healthy fats.

On the other hand, it may be best to limit your intake of processed breakfast meats high in sodium or saturated fat, along with foods high in refined carbs, which can spike blood sugar levels14.

"For people who are on a weight loss journey, it may seem like skipping breakfast means you are eating less, but that isn't necessarily how it pans out," explains Nielsen.

A 2016 study evaluating the effects of breakfast on energy balance15 actually found that participants who skipped breakfast ended up eating more calories later in the day to make up for it. Plus, some other research has found that regularly skipping breakfast16 could be associated with a greater risk of being overweight or having obesity.

According to Nielsen, skipping meals can lead to food preoccupation and increase cravings for calorie-dense foods. "A common dietary pattern I see—even when weight loss is not a goal—is people who skip breakfast, eat only lightly at lunch, and then eat all night long. This can lead to digestive issues and low energy throughout the day," she explains, not to mention problems with sleep.

Although some swear by fasted cardio—or exercising on an empty stomach—it may not be the best choice for all types of exercise. For instance, though breakfast may not impact short, aerobic activities, eating before exercise has been shown to improve performance20 during prolonged workouts.

It's a good idea to have breakfast alongside your morning cup of joe. This is because coffee is absorbed more quickly22 when your stomach is empty, which could enhance its effects to an uncomfortable degree, especially for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Some variations of intermittent fasting (like 16:8 fasts or 18:6 fasts) involve simply skipping breakfast in the morning and eating a late lunch.

However, according to Steve Hendricks, a fasting expert, journalist, and author of The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting, it may be best to rearrange your schedule while intermittent fasting so that you can enjoy a balanced breakfast in the morning.

"Nearly every fasting study24 that has compared skipping breakfast to skipping dinner has found it's far healthier to skip dinner—or rather, to move dinner earlier in the day," Hendricks says.

"In study after study, those who eat in an early window, say from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., are substantially healthier than those who eat in a window of the same length but later, say from noon to 8 p.m.," he adds.

Smoothies can be a convenient, timesaving option for hectic mornings. "I love a smoothie because it's the easiest way to get a whole bunch of good stuff into your body in five minutes," says Nielsen.

Try loading up your blender with leafy greens, fresh fruit, and a scoop of protein powder to squeeze some extra nutrients into your diet. You can also whip up your smoothie the night before and transfer it to a jar for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.

Shapiro recommends keeping nutritious breakfast ingredients on hand to help streamline your morning routine. Greek yogurt, oatmeal, milk, whole-wheat bread, and nut butter are a few versatile options to grab on your next grocery trip. Shapiro also advises hard-boiling a batch of eggs and storing them in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week.

Setting aside some time in your schedule to prepare a few tasty, fridge-friendly meals might help if you're pressed for time during the week. "Meal-prep breakfasts on Sunday and put an alarm in your phone—or even a sticky note on your door—so you remember to grab it each morning," suggests Nielsen.

If you don't find yourself feeling hungry until it's almost lunchtime, try sticking to a light meal or snack in the morning. Shapiro recommends whipping up a cup of "elevated coffee" by stirring in some collagen peptides, almond milk, and a bit of MCT oil for extra protein and healthy fats.

She also suggests keeping a few healthy granola bars or energy bars on hand but emphasizes that you should check the ingredients label carefully to keep your intake of added sugars in check.

Enjoying a well-rounded meal in the morning can increase your intake of valuable nutrients.