Is it really healthy to skip breakfast?

Is it really healthy to skip breakfast?
Is it really healthy to skip breakfast?

“People are passionate about breakfast, whether they eat it or not.” This is what Emily Leeming, a dietician at King's College London, observed and which she explains to the Guardian. But today, she notes, some Britons are losing interest in this meal, once considered the most important of the day.

Many of them advocate the end of Full English [le petit déjeuner traditionnel britannique, ndlr]. They argue that eating later in the day for the first time would have health benefits by reducing daily calorie intake.

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Emily Leeming remains skeptical of these claims and points out that studies on the subject remain very contradictory. Although she recognizes that reducing the period of daily eating, what is known as “intermittent fasting” (a diet that aims to practice fasting for part of the day before returning to a normal diet) can helping to maintain a low body mass index (BMI), she emphasizes the importance of aligning this principle with daylight hours. Indeed, our digestive system slows down in the evening, it would be preferable to adopt a heartier diet in the morning and a lighter one as the day progresses.

The intermittent fasting trend also finds a strong echo in , where influencers sometimes play apprentice nutritionists. Not to the extent of making it a norm, however: according to a survey carried out by Odoxa, in August 2023, eight out of ten French people continued to have breakfast almost daily.

Being healthy isn't just about counting calories

For Emily Leeming, this approach must be tempered by recalling the importance of well-being. “We need to change the narrative and no longer just reduce our calories. Because ultimately, what does it mean to be healthy? It’s also about feeling good,” argues the dietitian.

At the same time, studies show that individuals adopting intermittent fasting can develop depressive tendencies, consume less fiber, essential minerals and vitamins, while having a tendency to snack for a large part of the day.

So how can we explain that some people say they feel more fit after skipping their morning meal? Emily Leeming offers an explanation: “Often, people ignore their hunger cues, use coffee as a crutch in the morning and then wonder why they crash at 4 p.m..”

If you recognize yourself in this description, the King's College researcher recommends that you favor foods rich in protein, to consume slowly. This could help you face your afternoon at the office better.

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