Do you need to eat BREAKFAST?

I grew up LOVING breakfast.

Still do.

It’s always been my favorite meal of the day.

And up until not so long ago, I’d go to bed imagining what I’d eat when I woke up.

And then, within minutes of waking up, I’d be eating.

Breakfast.

Here are some typical examples of what breakfast was for much of my life:

• Toast with jam or peanut butter, or both (first white, then whole-wheat, then whole-grain)
• Cereal with a sprinkle of brown sugar
• Bagels with cream cheese
• Muffins (when I was lucky)
• Croissants (when I was REALLY lucky!)
• Bacon and eggs (on Sunday mornings)
• Orange juice

Any of that sound familiar to you?

Do your breakfasts still look like that?

No judgment here… You’re definitely not alone.

These are well known, and even advertised as healthy, breakfast foods.

And if you’re around my age, you’ve been bombarded with the message, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

So naturally, with this message, and the advertised benefits of the foods above, we were doing what we thought was best.

But is any of this true?

Do you need to eat breakfast?

In a word, no.

You don’t need to eat first thing in the morning, or before leaving the house.

But if you want to be technical about it, the first thing you eat after fasting overnight is “breakfast.”

Even if it looks more like lunch and you’re eating it at noon.

The fact is, many women I know, and work with, aren’t hungry first thing in the morning.

They want their coffee, but aren’t in the mood to eat food.

Several years ago, as a personal trainer, I would have said “You’ve gotta eat something before you leave the house.”

But my tune has definitely changed.

And it makes sense why…

Your body is the highest intelligence there is.

It knows when it needs fuel.

It sends you signals.

A growling tummy, a head-ache, maybe a little nausea.

But it definitely lets you know when you need to eat.

And it makes sense that you respect that.

Eating only when you feel hungry.

And of course, that doesn’t only apply to breakfast, it applies all day long.

I’ve been applying “eating when hungry” to my own routine for the past couple of years.

I stopped eating breakfast immediately after getting up in the morning.

I waited until I was truly hungry.

Even if that meant I’d go for a walk, run, or workout before eating.

And at first, I was skeptical.

I mean, shouldn’t I eat something before exercise?

Won’t I feel light-headed or weak?

I didn’t.

In fact, I felt pretty energetic.

Because my muscles still had plenty of stored energy.

Now, that’s me.

You need to experiment with your own body.

See what works, or doesn’t work, for you.

And then decide…

Once you’re hungry, what should you eat?

What should breakfast look like?

Our North-American, processed-carb fiesta that we affectionately call breakfast is not the best choice.

We don’t need toast, bagels, croissants, or cereal at all for survival.

In fact, we can live (better) without those things.

And ideally, if weight loss is your goal, those foods should be treated as treats.

Instead, opt for something more whole and substantial for your first meal.

Protein and healthy fats are substantial, they fill you up.

Not to mention they help build muscle, keep your hormones working well, and help build, repair and maintain all the cells of your body.

Things like nuts, seeds, beans, avocados, coconut oil/milk, quinoa, steel cut oats, eggs, and some dairy (although I’d lean towards no dairy if possible.)

And carbohydrates in the form of fruits and veggies, are full of the energy you need.

So, for the first meal of the day, try for a protein, a fat, and some whole carbs.

For example, if you like the traditional breakfast model, try cooking up a bowl of steel cut oats, with blueberries and walnuts.

Or have some eggs.

Eggs are still a great option, but skip the bacon and opt for a side of avocado, fresh fruit, and maybe even a little dark chocolate.

Or blend a power-packed smoothie with fruit, green leafy veggies, ground flax, chia seeds, and a little coconut or almond milk.

Experiment.

Have fun with it.

Or, if you’re not hungry before lunch, make lunch your breakfast.

And if lunch is your breakfast, you may only be hungry enough for two meals in a day.

That’s fine.

Don’t feel pressured to stick to the 3-square-meals model.

It’s a man-made invention to fit into our industrialized work schedule.

Instead, trust the wisdom of your body.

It knows.

And, if you need rules, follow these simple ones and you won’t go wrong:

1. Eat when you’re hungry
2. Stop when you’re satisfied (not hungry)
3. Eat what you plan to eat
4. Choose whole foods

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Are you a breakfast eater?

If you’re hungry first thing in the morning, then by all means, eat breakfast.

But if you’re not hungry, and you’re just eating because you feel you have to, reconsider.

Try skipping it.

And eating later.

When you’re actually feeling hungry.

It could be one of the most healthy things you do for yourself.

Instead of putting your trust in old, outdated messages, start trusting your body.

What’s more intelligent than that?

The more you trust your body, and believe that it’s supporting you at all times, the less likely you’ll be to override its messages and mistreat it.

The fact is, science has only scratched the surface of what we know about the workings of the human body.

Your body blueprint is ancient, with a wisdom that is powerful beyond current understanding.

Connect with that inner wisdom.

And keep moving forward,

Debbie

P.S. Not sure about what, when, and how to eat for weight loss or better health? Then set up a call with me, it’s my favorite subject! https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

P.P.S. Did you find this post interesting or useful? Let me know! I want to bring you information that you can use, so all feedback is welcome. Just comment below!