Why breakfast is not the most important meal: a study found no evidence that it would be beneficial to lose weight

Previous studies have suggested that eating a big meal in the morning reduces our appetite throughout the day, helping dieters lose weight.

But a review, published in the BMJ, suggests that "The most important meal of the day" does not necessarily help people control their weight. "

Research does not suggest that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The researchers found that there was no solid evidence that breakfast promotes weight loss., or that skipping breakfast leads to weight gain.

In fact, the results show that daily caloric intake was higher among people who ate lunch and that skipping it did not cause more appetite at the end of the day.

The researchers said their review challenged the popular recommendation that breakfast can help control weight, the portal said. Daily mail.

Previous studies had suggested that not skipping breakfast was related to maintaining a healthy weight.

But the researchers said that these findings were observations and perhaps reflected the healthy lifestyle and more general food choices of an individual.

The team at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, badyzed the effects of a regular breakfast on weight change and daily energy consumption., based on evidence from 13 studies, mainly in Britain and the United States, for the last 28 years.

Several trials focused on the relationship between eating or skipping breakfast and body weight changes, while others badyzed the effect of breakfast on daily energy intake.

Participants included regular and unusual lunchesor both, in a range of body weights controlled between 24 hours and 16 weeks.

The researchers found that total daily energy intake was higher in groups that ate breakfast than among those who omitted it.260 more calories per day on average, regardless of your breakfast habits.

And the results showed that those who skipped breakfast had on average one pound less (0.44 kg) less.

But the effect of breakfast on weight does not differentiate between people with normal weight and those who are overweight.

The researchers said that because of the variable quality of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Professor Flavia Cicuttini of Monash University, co-author of the study, said: "At present, the available evidence does not allow to alter the diet of adults to include the consumption of small -Breakfast as a good strategy for losing weight. "

He added: "Although Having your breakfast regularly can have other important effects, so you should be careful when recommending breakfast to lose weight in adults, as this could have the opposite effect. "

Professor Tim Spector of King & s College London questioned the findings, saying that people have different preferences rI know when they eat,or that "could adapt to our unique personal metabolism."

He added: "This is not suitable for everyone" and regimes full of misinformation seem more and more counterproductive and minimize important health messages.

"While you wait for the guidelines to change, you can not do anything wrong by trying your own personal experiences to skip breakfast."

Should the portion be varied at breakfast, lunch and dinner to lose weight?

According to a study suggested in March 2018, The best combination for people with diabetes or obesity is a breakfast, a "normal" lunch and a small dinner.

One study found that obese diabetic patients on such a diet lose 5 kg for 11 months, compared to a gain of 1.4 kg in those who consume this diet. traditionally recommended six meals a day.

Research adds that keeping only three meals a day of different sizes also reduces glucose levels and the insulin needs of diabetics, as well as their cravings for hunger and carbohydrates.

The main author, Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz, of Tel Aviv University, said: "The time of day, when you eat and how often you eat it, is more important than what you eat and how many calories you eat

"Our metabolism changes throughout the day. A slice of bread consumed at breakfast causes a lower glycemic response and fats less than a slice of the same bread consumed at night. "

The results also suggest that fasting blood glucose decreased by 54 mg / dL (from 161 to 107) in groups consuming three meals a day. compared to only 23 mg / dL (164 to 141) for those who consume six.

Healthy levels are considered to be less than 108 mg / dl.
Taking breakfast as the main meal of the day also significantly reduces insulin requirements by -20.5 units / day (from 54.7 to 34.8) compared to all-day insulin requirements. people have 2.2 more units per day. day (from 67.8 to 70).

The general blood glucose levels also decrease only 14 days after the adoption of a diet that provides three meals a day.