Is it okay to skip breakfast?

We’ve all heard the saying ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’. But how much truth is in this statement? Is it okay to skip breakfast? The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no, as it depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn about whether some of the assumptions about breakfast hold up.

Breakfast helps you gain/lose weight

Skipping breakfast means fewer calories and therefore weight loss - right? Not necessarily, as studies have produced varying results.  If skipping breakfast causes you to overeat later in the day, or reach for less nutritionally dense foods, then skipping breakfast may not be the best choice for a healthy weight management plan.

Individuals who eat breakfast are healthier

This is actually true. Breakfast eaters tend to have a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and are less likely to be overweight or obese. This would seem to prove that eating breakfast is important.  However, science cannot prove that it is breakfast that causes health benefits/improvement. Rather, the relationship between eating breakfast and better health is observational. In other words, those who eat breakfast tend to be healthier but it may not be because of breakfast itself.  Rather, it might be due to breakfast eaters having healthier habits throughout the day.

Skipping breakfast can offer some health benefits

This is also true. For example, those who skip breakfast as part of intermittent fasting may see improvements in metabolic health. Metabolic health looks at your blood sugar levels, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and waist circumference. However, intermittent fasting is not for everyone and metabolic health is also influenced by exercise, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight.

Should I skip breakfast?

The answer is ultimately up to you. Listen to your body and your mood. Do you enjoy eating breakfast? Does skipping it impact your energy levels? What’s really most important is that your first meal of the day is one you enjoy and packed full of nutrients, including protein, to help you feel full and energized throughout the day.