Breakfast dilemma?

[TurbulentFluid]

Hullo... Didn't post for a long time here; work and everything gets in the way... I have a question regarding nutrition, which I didn't quite get a grasp of... I did a "bulking" phase and added quite some muscle and had great gains at the gym, now I'd like to cut so I see what it looks like... My usual breakfast is mostly protein (tuna/chicken breast/egg whites + cheese + tomato/pickles), however I mostly hear that eating high carb breakfast and then losing carbs during the day is by far better policy. what do you think of this? What is your usual breakfast? I've noticed that, if I eat carbs for breakfast, I actually tend to gain weight, but that might be because I don't modify other meals (I have 3-4 meals a day, can't squeeze in anymore because of work)... Please help, and thanks in advance!

[Mango]

I mostly hear that eating high carb breakfast and then losing carbs during the day is by far better policy. what do you think of this? What is your usual breakfast? I've noticed that, if I eat carbs for breakfast, I actually tend to gain weight, but that might be because I don't modify other meals

Hmmm, that's weird that you say you gain weight when you have carbs for breakfast. Total calories will determine weight gain versus weight loss *oversimplified, I know*. How do you know you gain weight because you have carbs at breakfast??

[TurbulentFluid]

Easy... I do 2 weeks with carbs for breakfast (40 g muesli + 180 g yogurt (36 kcal/100 g) + 15 g protein powder) with all other meals as always, and gain approx. 0.5 - 1 kg (1 - 2 pounds) of weight... I MIGHT be wrong, I did this test only 2 times, but... *shruggs*

[Mango]

Is the museli high in sugar?? Are your macros totals the same for the times in which you have carbs for breakfast, as they are when you do not??

[Skyden]

Hi there,

I have heard that you should eat most of your carbs in the beginning of the day then lessen as the day goes on, not eating many/any towards the last couple of meals.

Maybe alter what carbs you eat? Instead of museli try oatmeal or cream of wheat. Sweet potatoes are awesome for you and high in carbs as well.

Maybe that would be enough to change it up a bit without the sugar of museli? I think yogurt also has a fair amount of sugar, too.

Good luck!
Skyden

[imperfectly_lou]

When you eat your carbs is more determined by when you workout, as opposed to what time of the day it is. You should get plenty of carbs both pre and post workout. So if you workout in the evening, it makes no sense to reduce your carbs towards the end of the day.

When do you workout?

[TurbulentFluid]

When you eat your carbs is more determined by when you workout, as opposed to what time of the day it is. You should get plenty of carbs both pre and post workout. So if you workout in the evening, it makes no sense to reduce your carbs towards the end of the day.

When do you workout?

This does make sense... I usually work out in the afternoon (5-6 pm)... As for macros, I think my carbs go up if I also eat carbs for breakfast, I should look into that... Hmm I thought muesli were almost ideal when combined with whey powder... I preffer such stuff to something that requires more preparation in the morning... What about those cereals (half-processed) that say things like "fit", "fitness" on them...? I can't say any particular brand ATM, but if required, I'll see what's available...

[imperfectly_lou]

I can't comment too much on cereals coz I don't live in the US but I do know that the regular Kashi is meant to be good.

[TurbulentFluid]

I don't live in the US either. I live in Croatia and I'm using German products: Dr. Oetker Muesli and Vivera Muesli... What's "Kashi"?

[ozigal]

I would say that if you usually don't have many carbs in your diet, it's a good chance it's water weight NOT fat or muscle. You shouldn't got by scales. Do the carbs for breakfast vs. no carbs for breakfast and get body fat testing done to see if you are actually putting on fat. The word "weight" is useless.

[TurbulentFluid]

I would say that if you usually don't have many carbs in your diet, it's a good chance it's water weight NOT fat or muscle.

Explain (Why) please?

BTW I agre on bf% issue, except measuring it isn't available for me all that often... :-(

[Miranda]

Explain (Why) please?

one unit of carbs holds four units of water. if you're not eating much, it takes the body some time to get used to it. also, whey you say you 'gain weight', how quickly does it happen? one pound of fat equals 3500 extra calories taken in, so . . .

nice to see you btw

[ozigal]

what Miranda said, it means if your body is not used to carbs you are going to retain water in your body.

[TurbulentFluid]

Yes, that could be it... thanx everyone! I'm curious, tho, what do you people normally eat for breakfast? Does making breakfast the most caloric meal of the day work for you (if you ever tried it)? Or should all meals be equal in calories? I'm sorry to be so boring, but my knowledge in nutrition is very low...

[karate_girl]

I love eating carbs for breakfast! I don't know how i would start the day without them!
Why don't you try making your own muesli? I make my own and it is an easy option that does not require cooking.
Mix oats, oat bran, flax seeds, choped almonds and other flakes (such as rye, treatcle, bran) it is delicious and much healthier than what i find in the supermarket. Also you can add some sultanas or dried apricot, I don't because I try to limit my intake of sugar and prefer a piece of fruit during the day.

[ozigal]

Just always make sure you keep up your protein at breakfast as well. You can't have a meal without it

[emmie]

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day - and probably the most calories at one sitting, too. I have oatmeal or oatbran, and when it's cooked I stir in cottage cheese, sweetener, and 3T ground flax seeds. I also have tea with skim milk before I start in with the oats, and I eat a homemade protein bar along with my tea.
Love it, love it, love it. The rest of my meals are pretty utilitarian and I don't get nearly as much pleasure out of eating them as I do with my oats!
- Emma

[ozigal]

Emmie i love that message!! I LOVE my breakfast too. When i wake up i look forward to working out then coming home to breakfast My breakfast is also my largest meal, then i taper my calories.

[TurbulentFluid]

Thanx for all the answers! I'll try having carbs for breakfast for a longer period of time, as I see I'm less hungry during the day that way... But I'll try and keep my macros in check so I get some carbs pre-workout too... So we'll see what happens. Thanx for all the input, I'll welcome all breakfast ideas, tho! (I like diversity, with food)

PS.
Nice to see you too, Miranda... thanx