Do I need to eat breakfast?

[YorkshiresAndGravy]

I am trying to lose weight and I usually eat breakfast.

I didn't have time for breakfast this morning although I've had a few cashew nuts at work.

The old advice was that breakfast is really important, but I've seen some people on here say that they skip breakfast without any problems.

I just wondered what other people's views/experiences were of not eating breakfast.

I'll probably have a mid morning healthy snack, but I would have had that anyway even if I'd had breakfast!

[flanjabelle]

It's really up to you. I find I eat more later if I don't eat breakfast, but some people find they can keep their. calories down by skipping breakfast.

It won't harm you to prolong the night time fast, it just doesn't work for me.

[Quiero]

I don't eat breakfast now after years of always eating it. I can't say it makes any difference. I don't tend to feel hungry until 11ish so I might have a snack then but often I don't eat anything until nearer 2.

I think it's personal choice really. I don't know what the science is behind breakfast being the most important meal of the day. I suspect it may have been invented by Kellogs

[hippospot]

I honestly don't know what is right but I've always thought you should eat only what and when you are actually hungry, and so many of us either ignore or don't feel those signals anymore.

You know how babies/toddlers eat nearly nothing some days and the next day devour everything in sight? They are listening to their bodies' signals depending on activity/growth spurts, without "thinking" about any of it. And they stop when they have had sufficient.

[Ragwort]

I think the three meals a day belief is just not for everyone - I was bought up to eat breakfast, and I always do - but mainly because I am greedy and I love breakfast type foods - I am not hungry, I just do it out of habit.

If you are doing a heavy, manual type job I can understand the need but certainly for my lifestyle I think two meals a day - perhaps 11am and 6pm would be much better - and help me lose weight !

Agree with hippo - we should really only eat when we are hungry rather than because it is breakfast/lunch/supper time - but I can appreciate when you are cooking for a family that is just not always practical.

[Milllii]

I never eat breakfast or any meal unless I am really hungry. If your body isn't asking for food then why eat. Eating when not truly hungry is how I would gain weight.

[YorkshiresAndGravy]

Thanks all. I've tried it again today. I had to have a few nuts mid morning so it's not like I haven't eaten anything until lunch.

I felt fine, was surprised that I wasn't hungrier.

It just feels strange having been brought up thinking I must eat breakfast! At least I have had some reassurance from here that I'm not doing any damage.

[hooper91]

I only ever eat breakfast when pregnant or I feel too sick and ill. Now I just eat around midday, then 3-4pm then 7-8pm. I dont miss breakfast much and it always makes me more hungy if I eat early in the day.

[notinagreatplace]

I'm not usually hungry so I don't eat breakfast - I went through a phase of thinking that I ought to eat it because you're supposed to and it ended up with my gaining weight..

Once every few weeks, for no obvious reason, I wake up hungry and I do eat it then.

Only thing I'd say is that nuts are pretty calorific so you might actually be eating more now than you were before.

[lastqueenofscotland]

I rarely eat breakfast.
To me it's a treat I sometimes have on weekends so when I do have it I'll have a really nice pastry or pancakes. Obviously going to the bakery/making pancakes isn't always convenient so I probably have it once a week at most!
I'm not massively fussed about breakfast food (hate egg, dislike cereal, toast is a bit meh) I don't find I get hungry till about noon anyway then I have my lunch.
If I think I'm going to expire I'll have a biscuit or a piece of fruit.