Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, but is skipping this morning meal really detrimental to health? Newer research suggests this may not be as bad as many of us believe. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we take an in-depth look at breakfast and whether skipping it is really harmful.
Though around 15% of people in the United States regularly skip breakfast, many still believe it to be the most important meal of the day. Breakfast provides the body with important nutrients to start the day feeling energized and nourished. Many also believe that it can promote weight loss. But is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?
Most of the claimed benefits of eating breakfast are primarily derived from observational studies, which cannot prove cause and effect. For example, one 2021 systematic review of 14 observational studies found that those who eat breakfast seven times per week have a reduced risk for:
heart disease
diabetes
obesity
high blood pressure
stroke
abdominal obesity
cardiovascular-related death
elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Should You Eat Breakfast?
Because breakfast gives us the opportunity to fuel our body with nutrients, it is an important meal. However, according to recent studies, it may not be the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast and listening to your hunger cues are very important if you wake up hungry in the morning. However, if you get busy and skip breakfast one day, there is no need to feel guilty. If you habitually skip breakfast, it is important to ensure you are optimizing your nutrient intake at other meals. Certain groups of people, such as fitness professionals or athletes who train early in the morning, may also feel better after eating breakfast.
The Bottom Line
Although research suggests that breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day, it is still important. It serves as an opportunity to help you fuel your day and provide key nutrients that your body needs. If you choose not to eat breakfast, there is no reason to feel guilty, and there is not much evidence that it can negatively impact your health. What is important is to eat in a way that works best for you while living a healthy lifestyle and ensuring your nutrient needs are being met during your other meals.
Source: Medical News Today