Dietitians answer your burning breakfast questions.
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Youve heard it time and time again:Breakfastis the most important meal of the day.
But is skipping breakfast bad for you?
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Why Do We Eat Breakfast?
Breakfast, as the term suggests, breaks the natural fasting that happens overnight.
This morning meal plays a particularly important role in a healthy diet and lifestyle, too.
Whats more, every meal is an opportunity to consume key nutrients.
Why Skipping Breakfast Might Work for You
It saves time.
It’s more convenient and saves money.
Its easier for early morning exercisers.
Potential Drawbacks of Skipping Breakfast
It might worsen IBS.
If youre prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skipping breakfast might bebad news for your gut.
Thats because a healthy, balanced breakfast often consists of high-fiber food, such as fruits and whole grains.
It may increase the risk of heart disease.
It increases hunger.
Simply put, skipping a mealany mealwill make you hungry.
This is especially true for breakfast, which is typically eaten after a night of fasting.
It might mess with your blood sugar levels.
Its always ideal tohonor your hunger cues and listen to your body, says Paquariello.
If youre hungry and ready for breakfast, listen to those cues.
It all comes down to paying attention to your body.
Or maybe you simply need to prioritize sleep or other tasks.
Doing so will reduce the undesirable effects of skipping breakfast, helping you feel better throughout the day.
Bottom Line: Should You Eat Breakfast or Skip It?
Whether or not to eat breakfast is a personal choice.
For most people, however, eating breakfast is a wise move, according to Pasquariello.
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