Nutrition1 min read
Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?
What research says about eating or skipping breakfast, and how to decide what works for you.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" is one of the most repeated pieces of nutrition advice. The research, however, is more mixed than the slogan suggests.
What the research says
Many older studies found that people who eat breakfast tend to be healthier, but those studies can't show cause and effect; breakfast eaters may simply have other healthy habits. Randomised trials have generally found that eating or skipping breakfast doesn't make a big difference to weight on its own.
Breakfast can help if...
- You're hungry in the morning
- Skipping it leads you to overeat later in the day
- You exercise in the morning
- You need to concentrate on demanding tasks
Skipping can be fine if...
- You're genuinely not hungry in the morning
- You eat well-balanced meals the rest of the day
- It helps you manage your overall calories
If you eat breakfast, make it count
A breakfast with protein and fibre keeps you fuller than a pastry or sugary cereal:
- Eggs with wholegrain toast
- Greek yoghurt with fruit and nuts
- Porridge with seeds and berries
- A wholegrain wrap with eggs and spinach
Listen to your body
The best breakfast habit is the one that suits your appetite, schedule and goals. Mealful lets you choose which meals to plan, so you can include breakfast or plan two bigger meals instead.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or specific dietary needs, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian.
