Is Breakfast Really Necessary?

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I agree with many of these posters. "The most important meal of the day," how tedious I find that. If I eat breakfast, I feel bloated and sluggish, and end up snacking and overeating all day. The best thing for me is to get up, drink a pint or so of water, go running (4-6 miles), then have a bit of toast and tea. Then I am content most of the day, and feel more satisified with modest amounts of food.

Carl H. of OH 8:32PM June 03, 2010

I don't usually eat breakfast, but if I do it usually consists of a bowl of cereal or granola bar or a piece of fruit. I agree that eating breakfast in the morning helps get your metabolism going and is probably generally a good thing. I grew up in Spain, where people also eat breakfast, but it's usually a piece of toast and a coffee. What you can't tell me is that eating eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, and all that other American style breakfast stuff is good for you. Don't get me wrong, that stuff is good and I ocassionally do the diner breakfast on weekends, but c'mon. It's not about breakfast, it's about what you choose to eat for breakfast that makes it good/bad.

Chris of FL 9:52AM December 10, 2009

When I was my lightest, which was high school and College, I didn't eat breakfast and I never felt hungry and I did not binge later as a lot of articles claim. I didn't start to eat breakfast until I got married. My hubby liked big breakfasts and I would eat them when he cooked them.
I think every body is different. I don't think that eating breakfast is absolutely necessary for everyone.

Shanna of NC 8:37AM July 07, 2009

Its funny all the little so called truths people talk about which are actually myths. Especially the one that to burn fat you need to have some stored glycogen. Your body can burn fat without glycogen its a process called ketosis.

Sue 8:59PM January 25, 2009

I have to disagree with the conclusions of the DietBlog. The science heavily supports the importance of breakfast. I have posted my response here:
http://blogs.proclub.com/blogs/2020insights/archive/2008/04/15/the-most-important-meal-of-the-day.aspx

James Krieger of WA 6:42PM April 15, 2008

There is still the saying:
You must eat like a king in the morning.
Like a lord at midday.
Like a beggar at night..
Eating breakfast is ok after you milk the kows,gif them their feat and kleen the stables.
For breakfast we had 3 or four eggs, .5 pound of bacon, some home made bread, and mosto f the time a nice big slice of apple pie.
I'm 93. My children are gone to live in the city's with the wimps.
My bride is 91, and still raises a garden from the old kow ,chiken and pig manure pile.

Gerard Goossens of 2:52PM April 14, 2008

When it comes to nutrition, we tend to get bogged down in studies and what the "experts" tell us. Give me a point of view, no matter how radical, and I guarantee I can find a study to support it and one to refute it. I agree that we should listen to our bodies and let that determine whether we eat breakfast.
I do eat breakfast--not because I think it will boost my metabolism or because it will give me energy, but because it's the best way for me to get my daily intake of fruit. I eat fruit throughout the morning, and it keeps my blood sugar stable without making me feel full and heavy. For me, that's what works. Do what works for you.

Kym of NM 8:02PM April 10, 2008

I find it curious to say that people who are overweight skip meals. Perhaps it is because they eat all the time not just at meals that they are overweight. Let us face the facts 95% of overweight people are overweight due to over calories, which may come from over stressed, over depressed, or, other mental processing challenges.
As far as breakfast is concerned if I need it my body tells me in the morning and I eat. I find that skipping meals is not a big issue for my metabolism. In fact I feel more energized when I am carrying a light load in my tummy.
Yes studies have shown that eating less, or skipping meals, can be of benefit, as it causes release of certain hormones, but you have to train yourself to eat less, and not make eating your total enjoyment in living.

Danielle of CA 2:59PM April 10, 2008

We feel sick when we have breakfast, I'm not hugry in the morning.... our bodies have adapted to not eating breakfast therefor when we try and have something to eat in the morning our systems arent use to it. Start by having something small, and slowly introduce brekfast back into our diets...our bodies will adapt!!!

Drew 12:48PM April 10, 2008

Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. The body has been fasting all night long and if you don't get something to eat upon waking up (within 2 hrs), you'll be running on protein energy from your muscles. FACT: In order to burn fat as a fuel you need both carbs and oxygen present (aerobic exercise). After you have been fasting for 12-14 hours your glycogen stores (stored carbs) are depleted; thus no carbs available for energy, thus can't burn fat for energy because you have no carbs present. Only thing left for energy is protein from your muscle. Lose muscle mass over time, lowers metabolism, leading to a shift in body composition (we get fatter).

Aily of RI 9:56AM April 10, 2008