Is it ok to skip breakfast and to eat 2 meals a day?

[th3pwn3r]

I still feel breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped.

Just a few things I found on the net...

Why Eat Breakfast? (The Facts)
By Mr Breakfast

A. Children who eat breakfast perform better on standardized achievement tests and have fewer behavior problems in school.

1. A Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study of children in Philadelphia and Baltimore schools discovered that students who usually ate school breakfast had improved math grades, reduced hyperactivity, decreased absence and tardy rates, and improved psycho-social behaviors compared with children who rarely ate school breakfast. (Pediatrics, January, 1998; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998)

2. Tufts University, in published statement on the link between nutrition and cognitive development in children, recognized that "Children who participated in the School Breakfast Program were shown to have significantly higher standardized achievement test scores than eligible non-participants."

3. Eating breakfast has an advantageous effect on late-morning mood, satiety and cognitive performance.


1. "Eating breakfast of any kind prevent(s) many of the adverse effects of fasting," such as irritability and fatigue, according to Bonnie Spring, Ph.D. , University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School.

2. "Breakfast can establish the tone for the next 16 hours (of each day after eating it). Why not treat yourself to a nice meal and a quality hour to collect yourself and focus on what's important?" (Ask Mr Breakfast, Where does the word "breakfast" come from?)

3. Eating breakfast keeps you thin.

4. Researchers from the National Weight Control Registry, a database of more than 3,000 people who have lost at least 60 pounds and kept it off for an average of 6 years, found that eating breakfast every day was a weight control strategy for 78% of the people in the registry. People who kept off weight long-term also reported eating a low-fat diet and exercising for an hour or more each day.


5. Breakfast is delicious.


6. A private study by one Mr Breakfast found that omelettes, pancakes, French toast and other foods commonly considered breakfast foods were delicious if prepared properly.

Damn, I think I'm too old for this forum since studies on CHILDREN are being posted.

5. Subjective

6. Who is this Mr. Breakfast? Is it possible to eat brunch with him?

[chevy72blu]

I know a lot of people think crash dieting is the way to go when trying to fit back into your jeans. Believe me I was one. I thought if I only ate one meal a day I would lose weight fast but it didn’t work like that. The problem with skipping meals is it slows down the metabolism in order to conserve energy. When your body is not taking in as much calories as it’s used to then it goes into survival mode and stores the fat rather than burning it. Do not skip meals!!! Especially breakfast…. There’s a reason it’s called the most important meal of the day.

Hasn't this been debunked several times? I remember there was LOONG thread in this section about a year ago on the subject. I cant recall any studies from either side, however.


I think there is something to be said for the thermogenic effect of food, but to say that your body will "store fat" when you are at a 500-1000 calorie deficit amdist diet, heavy lifting, and cardio just doesnt seem possible. Where is it getting these phantom calories? The only argument I can see is that your body will become catabolic, but this all has to do with the amount of calories in vs. calories out, unless there have been studies that show your body prefers to scavenge required calories from muscle sources rather than body fat (which makes NO sense from a survival standpoint).

Dont get me wrong, I am applying broscience as well. But I would like some actual clarification on the subject

[DevilMan02]

Everyone's body is different. What works for one guy, may not work for the next 5. This goes the same for pills. Everyone's affected differently which is why there's such a thing as LD50 (Lethal Dose for 50% of the sample rate).

Getting back on topic, why would it be bad? Measure your arms, chest, waist, calfs and determine for yourself if eating breakfast helps you maintain, build, or lose mass.

I personally don't care for breakfast unless I'm rolling out of bed at 11am on a weekend. So for me, I just make a protein shake the night before, toss it in the fridge, and run out the door with it in the morning on my way to the office.

[mylk]

you shouldn't be skipping breakfast. you should eat @ morning, that will keep your metabolism active enough until lunch time.

[56kninja]

That is what I do......seems in my case if I eat breakfeast, it helps me with energy. I have yet to miss a breakfeast in 5 months......I never used to eat breakfest but once in a blue-moon.

I honestly feel better eating a normal size breakfeast that consists of an egg,cereal, lowfat milk and whole wheat toast and sometimes cottage cheese.

pretty much same here.. Sometimes I have it a bit later than usuall, but I still try to eat before anything.

[bert_johnson]

Bottom line dude as long as you stay within your caloric guidelines you can eat at any time you choose.....later

What he said. Your body will not start to break down muscle until 12 hours of eating nothing.

[jcosley]

Damn, I think I'm too old for this forum since studies on CHILDREN are being posted.

5. Subjective

6. Who is this Mr. Breakfast? Is it possible to eat brunch with him?

U would argue with me if I told you the color red was red.

[th3pwn3r]

U would argue with me if I told you the color red was red.

Because it would actually be blue so yea...

[kingofswing01]

I wake up at 7am and don't eat until 4-5pm and it's worked fine for me so far. Oh, you're probably wondering about losing muscle right? Maybe a bit worried? Well don't be, I haven't lost any.

When's your last meal and what time to you go to bed?

[th3pwn3r]

When's your last meal and what time to you go to bed?

My last meal is usually is 9 or 10pm. I go to bed around 1-1:30 so I average 6 hours of sleep a night.

[Mj23foreva]

I still feel breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped.

Just a few things I found on the net...

Why Eat Breakfast? (The Facts)
By Mr Breakfast

A. Children who eat breakfast perform better on standardized achievement tests and have fewer behavior problems in school.

1. A Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study of children in Philadelphia and Baltimore schools discovered that students who usually ate school breakfast had improved math grades, reduced hyperactivity, decreased absence and tardy rates, and improved psycho-social behaviors compared with children who rarely ate school breakfast. (Pediatrics, January, 1998; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998)

2. Tufts University, in published statement on the link between nutrition and cognitive development in children, recognized that "Children who participated in the School Breakfast Program were shown to have significantly higher standardized achievement test scores than eligible non-participants."

3. Eating breakfast has an advantageous effect on late-morning mood, satiety and cognitive performance.


1. "Eating breakfast of any kind prevent(s) many of the adverse effects of fasting," such as irritability and fatigue, according to Bonnie Spring, Ph.D. , University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School.

2. "Breakfast can establish the tone for the next 16 hours (of each day after eating it). Why not treat yourself to a nice meal and a quality hour to collect yourself and focus on what's important?" (Ask Mr Breakfast, Where does the word "breakfast" come from?)

3. Eating breakfast keeps you thin.

4. Researchers from the National Weight Control Registry, a database of more than 3,000 people who have lost at least 60 pounds and kept it off for an average of 6 years, found that eating breakfast every day was a weight control strategy for 78% of the people in the registry. People who kept off weight long-term also reported eating a low-fat diet and exercising for an hour or more each day.


5. Breakfast is delicious.


6. A private study by one Mr Breakfast found that omelettes, pancakes, French toast and other foods commonly considered breakfast foods were delicious if prepared properly.

Children who eat breakfast also have responsible parents that wake up early and prepare them breakfast. These parents will probably more likely review/help with homework and make sure the kids are prepared for school and exams. What good parent doesnt make sure their kids eat breakfast? There are just too many outside factors in these arguments. Its like that study on how diet soda makes you fat because people who drink diet soda tend to be overweight. Its because they are overweight that they are drinking diet soda...studies can be interpreted in many ways and can easily be manipulated by someone to make a point.

Also the argument behind people that lost weight when they started eating breakfast could be because they never had a routine. They ate what they wanted and when they wanted. When they set their mind to lose weight, they happened to include breakfast as part of their routine along with proper exercise which they never had before, we all know how important maintaining a routine is to weight lose. Again, these studies can be construed to fit any argument

But I can say this, if I ate 1000 calories for breakfast and 2000 calories for the rest of the day and my maintenance calorie is 3000 I will not loose weight. If I skipped breakfast and just ate those 2K cals later in the day I will loose weight. That simple.

If you want to take 2000 calories and include breakfast and just eat less for the rest of the day its all up to you and how you feel. If you "feel good" for the rest of the day and you can limit your cals to below maintenance then by all means do it. If you're not hungry and don't care much for breakfast then don't do it. Its a personal choice, don't make these trivial studies force you to do anything you don't want to. Its hard enough for us to change from our unhealthy lifestyle to a healthier one, we don't need any unnecessary restrictions.

[th3pwn3r]

Children who eat breakfast also have responsible parents that wake up early and prepare them breakfast. These parents will probably more likely review/help with homework and make sure the kids are prepared for school and exams. What good parent doesnt make sure their kids eat breakfast? There are just too many outside factors in these arguments. Its like that study on how diet soda makes you fat because people who drink diet soda tend to be overweight. Its because they are overweight that they are drinking diet soda...studies can be interpreted in many ways and can easily be manipulated by someone to make a point.

Also the argument behind people that lost weight when they started eating breakfast could be because they never had a routine. They ate what they wanted and when they wanted. When they set their mind to lose weight, they happened to include breakfast as part of their routine along with proper exercise which they never had before. Again, these studies can be construed to fit any argument

Exactly, thanks for taking the time for posting all of that, I appreciate your effort. Reps owed.

[56kninja]

Damn, I think I'm too old for this forum since studies on CHILDREN are being posted.

5. Subjective

6. Who is this Mr. Breakfast? Is it possible to eat brunch with him?

Damn if only I were reading BB 10 years ago. :/ reps for calling BS.

[JRoX85]

its all what ur body is used to if you dont like breakfast dont eat I am a lunch man myself but I snack so it evens out

[Come at me bro]

so you work all day on an empty stomach? that's not possible if you have any sort of a physical job, is it?

i eat throughout the day, every 2-3 hours in fact, and it works great for me. skipping breakfast, or other meals makes me over compensate later... sorry i don't have the willpower others seem to have.

**** yeah it is , I can't eat on a physical job, it slows me down and its a waste of time. Work through break and lunch and get out early

[jcosley]

Damn if only I were reading BB 10 years ago. :/ reps for calling BS.

Why is it BS? Oh yeah, I forgot children aren't human.

[Blueta]

Eat when you feel hungry, my "breakfast" starts 12-14 pm
I never could have a normal breakfast at 7-8am, just didn't feel hungry and couldn't force myself, I've tried, but never succeeded.

[56kninja]

**** yeah it is , I can't eat on a physical job, it slows me down and its a waste of time. Work through break and lunch and get out early

Which will get your employer in trouble.

[56kninja]

Why is it BS? Oh yeah, I forgot children aren't human.

If you've ever been into a middle school, you would realize they aren't.

And maybe it's because a childs metabolism is going to be different from adults because... I don't know; They're going through a period of intense growth?

[Come at me bro]

Which will get your employer in trouble.

Construction dude, The only point I see for a break is to have a cigg, which we can do while we work

[Maverick777]

This study also indicates that eating away from home is linked to obesity, which is absurd. OP indicated he was not hungry in the morning, so you're suggesting he should eat anyway to gain a metabolic benefit? Doesn't make sense... save the caloric intake for when you ARE hungry.

Negged for being retarded

It was a study on possible multiple causes to obesity, don't discount it because it includes something you don't care for.

Additionally think about what you said, sometimes it is necessary to force feed yourself and sometimes it is necessary to not eat when you feel hungry (in order to determine if it is a craving or real hunger).

[timhet]

In terms of managing your weight, calories in versus calories out = 95% of the solution.

Topics such as insulin control, meal timing, frequency, eating breakfast etc all distract from the fundamental concept of calorie control.

[senor_mortgage]

In terms of managing your weight, calories in versus calories out = 95% of the solution.

Topics such as insulin control, meal timing, frequency, eating breakfast etc all distract from the fundamental concept of calorie control.

This. Breakfast is optimal not required. Almost nothing is required at the end of the day except the calorie deficit.

[kqncept]

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=119024341

Reps if you like<3

[56kninja]

Construction dude, The only point I see for a break is to have a cigg, which we can do while we work

True. I don't know how things are there, but here.. Everyone is pretty anal about getting your breaks and lunches. Not going on a break/lunch at my old job would of got me in trouble. Whatever works.

[heady69]

if u dont eat all day and ur cutting would u have all ur protein at ur only meal ?

[chaser1712]

if u dont eat all day and ur cutting would u have all ur protein at ur only meal ?

Thats the one thing I do spread out is protein I'm not so sure that your body would assimilate over 160 g (or whatever your intake is) of protein in 1 or 2 meals.

[perumina]

I would suggest not to go long periods of time without eating...i know someone who died of stomach cancer and his schedule used to be similar to what some people said on here...went most of the day without eating until he came home late for dinner...dont think its a good idea for the stomach acids to build up....just a thought.

[ssum]

You know, I used to say the samething people generally says, eat 5/6 meals per day, with 3 or 4 hours between them. However, i no longer more say it. Stick with YOUR habits, needs and feelings about food and this thing. Heck, we are supposed to stick with this new lifestyle, not just a diet for a few months/years. If you do not adjust your eating habits to your lifestyle, i doubt you won't quit it sooner or later.

Damn, never thought about it like that. I'm always forcing myself to eat 5-6 times a day and I always feel hungry inbetween meals and can't wait/stop thinking about the next meal.

[armz_ha]

i used to make it big deal to eat 6-7 times per day and years later found out this is not the most important piece of the puzzle.

All it matters by the end of the day, week, or month is you're in a calorie deficit whether you eat once or 7 times per day.

Spreading your carbs and protein throughout the day does give you a more steady stream of energy though