{"id":34752,"date":"2023-03-23T12:03:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T12:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=34752"},"modified":"2023-03-24T00:35:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T00:35:43","slug":"skipping-breakfast-to-lose-weight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/skipping-breakfast-to-lose-weight\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Skipping Breakfast to Lose Weight Ever a Good Idea?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is skipping breakfast<\/a> good for weight loss<\/a>? In short, maybe\u2014but there are potential pros and cons. See if cutting out the first meal of the day gets a yay or nay from dietitians, plus what studies show on the matter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Many of us were raised with the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Our parents may have been onto something, as studies show that eating breakfast can help kids and teens concentrate<\/a> and do better in school. Yet there is a lot of confusing information out there when it comes to the relationship between the first meal of the day and slimming down. That said, can skipping breakfast help you lose weight?<\/p>\n\n\n

To find out whether or not skipping breakfast for weight loss is a good idea, we turned to dietitians to get their expert takes.<\/p>\n\n\n

Skipping Breakfast While Intermittent Fasting<\/h2>\n\n\n

First, it\u2019s important to discuss what we mean when we\u2019re talking about skipping a meal, which often comes into play when people follow an intermittent fasting<\/a> protocol. Intermittent fasting (aka IF) is the practice of setting aside a period<\/a> of time when you don\u2019t eat or drink. It\u2019s often an extension of the natural fast you do overnight. However, it\u2019s not<\/em> the same thing as starving your body or restricting calories. So by skipping breakfast, it doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re cutting hundreds of calories out of your day.<\/p>\n\n\n

Some studies show that intermittent fasting can be effective for weight loss<\/a>, and skipping breakfast could be part of your plan. Trying this approach could be beneficial for those who are struggling to see results or who need somewhere to start, says Molly Snyder, RDN, owner of Full-Filled Nutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

For those trying this method, she recommends an 16:8 ratio of fasting to eating and eating a well-balanced diet for the rest<\/a> of the day. However, you can also start with a shorter fast\u2014say, of 12 to 13 hours\u2014and build your way up from there. Women can also follow specific intermittent fasting hacks<\/a> to support their hormones and metabolic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure>\n\n\n

After about 12 hours of not eating, your body begins burning fat. So, if dinner was the last food you ate before going to sleep<\/a>, your body is already likely in this stage by the time you wake up. Your body starts burning fat because it turns to the stored fat to fuel itself due to the absence of food being consumed\u2014and when your body burns fat, it can contribute to weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n

These points considered, fasting isn\u2019t necessarily Snyder’s first choice for weight loss. \u201cPeople often are not selecting the correct food when they are in their eating window,\u201d she explains. \u201cJust because it\u2019s your eating window, it doesn\u2019t mean that candy bars and cocktails are your best option.\u201d Instead, you should focus on healthy complex carbohydrates\u2014like fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains\u2014as well as lean proteins, she shares.<\/p>\n\n\n

In order to avoid potential impulsive eating due to feeling hungry later on in the day, she also advises planning out your meals for the week, making note of special events and activities so you\u00a0can be prepared. This way, you can also ensure you\u2019re still getting the right amount of nutrients and calories in your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n

Moreover, it\u2019s important to know that intermittent fasting is not recommended everyone, including those who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n