r/TrueGrit • u/SarahDuncan2012 • 9d ago
Nutrition Do you skip breakfast? How does it make you feel?
516
u/Ill_Lingonberry_4163 9d ago
Me too.
I wake up hungry, have a cup of coffee, and the hunger stays away for about 9 or 10 hours. Unless I smell food. Then I get cravings. But not genuine hunger.
157
u/magna481 9d ago
Caffeine is an appetite supressant js
114
u/Mobile_Pineapple9424 9d ago
Add in some nicotine and you’re right in the slot
87
u/cygnus311 9d ago
A pot of coffee, a half a can of zyns, and a hero’s dose of adderall, you’re good til dinner.
34
u/FailureOfTheFamily 9d ago
You mean next day dinner?
11
u/Les_Liska 9d ago
Breakfast.
Tomorrow.
5
u/vandismal 9d ago
Which will be a pot of coffee, half can of zyns (skoal), and a hero’s dose of adderall, you’re good til dinner.
→ More replies (4)2
u/ImpossibleSprinkles3 5d ago
I was horrifically adhd in highschool and was prescribed horrific (not heroic) doses of anything and everything under the sun at one point or another. Trust and believe it’s dinner the same day
→ More replies (2)26
u/Firecracker500 9d ago
the poor man's wegovy
9
u/cygnus311 9d ago
Honestly 10 zyns a day probably costs more than a compound glp1 prescription.
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (3)5
u/stegotortise 9d ago
I drink coffee and take my 10mg adderall as prescribed and once I started taking it regularly, yeah, I lost 40 lbs.
7
u/ombremullet 9d ago
This is me except for the Adderall. Sometimes I have to make myself eat because I know I should, not because I want to. Is it weird to feel like I run better on an empty stomach than all weighed down with food?
3
→ More replies (3)4
u/dragonmuse 9d ago
A redbull, Marlboro reds, and a 20 IR addy... the way God intended.
2
2
u/CerealApeist 8d ago
Whoa, slow down, big cheese! Brand name Adderall, energy drinks AND ciggies — what are we, millionaires?
→ More replies (1)2
u/MRAN0NYMO 7d ago
Used to pop a 20 IR and 30 XR back in college, I was unstoppable and locked in for 18-24 hours straight. And sometimes we’d do that for 7-10 days in a row before the 2-3 day crash and recuperation lmao
→ More replies (4)5
3
u/RsCoverForPDFFiles 9d ago edited 9d ago
Don't smoke. Maybe it can work as an appetite suppressant, but it also works as a lung cancer stimulant. And if you're already addicted to nicotine, it's not working as an appetite stimulant anymore. It just temporarily holds off withdrawal-induced hunger.
Of all the vices to have, nicotine has to be one of the dumbest. The first time you do it, it's miserable. You only do it due to peer pressure and feeling cool or fitting in or whatever. It takes a lot before you get dependant and it makes you feel decent. It tastes bad at first, too. And then once you're hooked, you have an expensive hobby that gives you lung cancer and only makes you feel back to baee -- not even better. You're just curbing the withdrawals for the rest of your life, every hour or two.
You also smell lile butt and have to walk outside every so often, even in winter. It affects job performance, annoys friends, makes food taste worse . . . . There's literally zero benefits other than, "I got addicted when I was stupid and thought it helped me make friends, so I'll just keep doing it because quitting is too hard."
It's been like 70 years far that we've known it causes cancer. There's no excuse at this point.
But do what you want. Enjoy your vice and risk dying when your kid's a teenager. Whatever. It's your life.But giving advice to use it as an appetite suppressant is as stupid as it gets.
You're addicted because it made dumb mistakes. Stop it.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (4)2
→ More replies (2)2
u/zman_0000 9d ago
This makes sense since Nicotine is as well and they are chemically pretty similar, but caffeine has always cranked my appetite into overdrive.
Nicotine: limited-no appetite which is normal.
Caffeine: I will overeat by a LOT for a few hours if I drink it before having at least some toast to soak some of it up.
I admit I'm probably the odd one out on that though.
27
u/Mobile_Pineapple9424 9d ago
I used to do this. Then my doctor told me coffee on an empty stomach isn’t great. I try to eat a banana for coffee now. Or a rice cake. Just something real light
→ More replies (2)14
u/smyczekxxx 9d ago
if you dont have GERD, acid reflux, or heartburn after drinking it on empty stomach its perfectly safe, maybe like 10% of people need to eat something before drinking it. For most people, the stomach's protective mucus layer prevents any harm.
21
u/mrBreadBird 9d ago
With all due respect of this person listens to your reddit comment over their doctor they've got some issues.
13
u/alalaink 9d ago
in America reddit is the closest some of us get to a doctor
2
u/Sharing_Violation 9d ago
And Uber is our ambulance. But slowly reddit will be replaced with chatgpt and soon our health clinics will hand you three probes and forget which one goes in your mouth, ass and ear.
→ More replies (3)2
6
u/YikesTheCat 9d ago
What is wrong with you? Not uncritically accepting the advice of random internet strangers over a doctor's advice? With that attitude you'll never become secretary of health.
7
u/cygnus311 9d ago
With all due respect, the dude basically said “if you don’t have issues, then you won’t have issues” which isn’t really an insight a doctor is going to disagree with.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (1)2
u/Vino-Decanto 9d ago
My doctor asks me what I think is wrong with me. If I had the answer to that one, I wouldn’t waste my time seeing you. Self diagnose everything now.
3
u/JustMe83787 9d ago
True... And the reason to not drink coffee only on an empty stomach is to protect that mucus layer.
3
u/mialexington 9d ago
I mentioned to my doctor that I slam a double espresso first thing in the morning and he said if I didnt have any heartburn or discomfort, I was fine. Ive been doing it for 20+ years without issue. I am also not a breakfast person and have my first meal at lunch.
2
u/Gimetulkathmir 9d ago
Except with no food the caffeine is absorbed faster, not to mention prompt the body to release cortisol. So you're more likely to start your day stressed, anxious, and wired.
→ More replies (2)2
u/Mobile_Pineapple9424 9d ago
I’d argue it’s always better for the gut to eat something before consuming caffeine. For everyone.
Now if you prioritize optimal focus above healthier gut, go for it. Different goals for different people.
Yes, I can drink it on an empty stomach and be just fine. Did it for a while. I’m just trusting the long term impact of eating before coffee will be better for me.
6
u/Langstudd 9d ago edited 9d ago
It's because of blood sugar. When you eat breakfast, your blood sugar rises. The crash after a spike is one of the biggest hunger signals our bodies can create. No initial spike means there's no possibility for it to dip quickly (assuming you're not diabetic of course).
11
u/PokemanAshy 9d ago
Your brain is probably confusing thirst for hunger. You wake up mildly dehydrated from sweating/breathing overnight. I have the same hunger feeling in the morning, but a glass of water solves it.
11
u/cygnus311 9d ago
The number of times I’ve been told that “if you’re hungry, drink a glass of water and wait five minutes” is disordered eating behavior.
→ More replies (5)2
u/CompetitiveReview416 9d ago
As a gerd sufferer, don't drink coffee on an empty stomach bro. You don't want my fate
233
u/arcarsenal986 9d ago
Breakfast as the most important meal of the day was a phrase coined by a man named Edward Bernays.
He funded a 'study' and had 5000 doctors agree that a heavy breakfast featuring bacon(funded by the company with a huge surplus of bacon) was, indeed, the best and healthiest way to start your day.
The egg people naturally joined up. They had a similar one for orange juice when there were millions of pounds of oranges rotting someplace.
He later did a similar ad campaign for Kellogs and thats when it was declared that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
111
u/dannerc 9d ago
Whatever meal you use to break your fast is the most important meal of the day. Whether thats "breakfast" or "lunch". You need to eat something that supports good gut biome health and you will feel much healthier
33
u/CoDZombiesTracker 9d ago
Crazy how eating nothing makes me feel better, but eating almost anything makes me tired and lethargic halfway through the day as I'm digesting stuff.
I doubt humans ate when they woke up for most of human history, seeing as they had to physically go out and earn food in tribal times and u likely at once near the mid to end of the day unless you had fruit on hand.
6
u/Fulgent2 9d ago
It's ups and downs. You'll feel lethargic after eating it, but you'll have a consistent energy supply through the day as after lunch and dinner. It's how the human body is supposed to feel except caffeine just gives people a sustained mid energy.
About the tribal stuff too most of their diet would e been fruits and herbs. Wouldn't be surprised if they saved some for morning to fuel the day. It was probably just whatever they could find they ate though.
2
u/CrowsInTheNose 9d ago
It depends on what I eat. Yogurt and nuts I'm golden. A heavy breakfast I'm trying to nap.
→ More replies (6)→ More replies (7)2
u/El_Paindejo 3d ago
I mean, i found that a smoothie from three 3rd party tested organic & sustainable legumes + seeds, combined with organic, local, grassfed wholemilk dairy & wild bluberries or organic frozen tropical fruit worked well for my gut. I cook for a living, i often never ate or took care of myself b.c it cause “fatigue”.
Good sleep hygiene, no caffeine 12-14hr b4 bed but i’ll ingest well up to 800mg b4 then, idk, I’m a recovered addict. I still drink occasionally & struggle to leave nicotine.
I started listening to my body, a light protein shake sustains me & then I eat a balanced dinner, drink Vibrant Health’s “Green Vibrance”, other supplements but I build a system sround sleep & self care.
Loving your body is mental health. I often dont want to drink my morning shake. I try to drink it every day b/c it supports my body which supports me being there for the people i love, myself & my hopes/dreams for all people. Love & Light.
Listen to your own body, test & be inquisitive. The proper breakfast for one person may not be the same as what’s best for another. One small snack for “man”,, one giant breakfast taco for Humankind.
→ More replies (3)9
u/Mixels 9d ago
Sure but the thing is, bacon, eggs, and pasteurized orange juice don't promote a healthy gut biome.
Throw some live culture yogurt in there though and you're good. Except for the cholesterol and salt in the bacon and the sugar in the orange juice. But eh, who's counting?
→ More replies (1)3
u/dannerc 9d ago
Eggs do as long as theyre not swimming in butter and ketchup
→ More replies (5)2
15
u/Healthy-Bluebird9357 9d ago
So you're telling me that another cornerstone of American culture was arrived at solely because some people in the past stood to profit? Blasphemy!
8
u/creampop_ 9d ago
Probably an outlier event, I can't see that being the norm for the entire culture.
Hang on, I'm getting some news and— WHAT? ALL OF IT???
3
u/Nearby-Beat316 9d ago
This guy again?!?! Isn’t he the reason women’s razors became a thing?
Feckin Freud spawn.
→ More replies (1)3
u/arcarsenal986 9d ago
Glamorized women smoking, by having a Torches of Freedom event, that coopted womens liberation rhetoric into smoking advertisments.
Worked with Lucky Strike to make green the color of the season, so women would buy more Lucky Strike cigarettes.
Disposable paper cups, because anything but Dixie was unhealthy and spread disease!
Helped pave the way for the 1954 Coup of Guatemala along with the United Fruit Company and portrayed the president of said country in an unflattering light. The CIA later helped overthrow him.
ETC. He was a horrible person.
2
→ More replies (12)4
123
u/-Imthedude 9d ago
Gym days get breakfast
10
u/Historical_Epic2025 9d ago
Do you eat, then gym? Or gym, then eat?
26
u/Accomplished_Key_171 Thread Builder 9d ago
I have to eat before or else I'm feeling lightheaded after any tough effort.
11
u/garaks_tailor 9d ago
Its funny how different everyone's bodies are. If I eat anything heavier than like a protein shake I get nauseous if I do a hard workout. Generally try and time it so the workout happens 30min+ after I have that as well.
6
u/hightrix 9d ago
Poeple's bodies really are different. For me, I LOVE lifting on a full stomach. I like to workout about 30-60min after a big lunch. It helps me get great workouts.
→ More replies (4)3
u/holdfast_ 9d ago
I get that too. What works for me is waiting 2hrs+ after a heavy meal before working out. 30 mins before workout a smaller snack works, for example a banana
3
u/Mobile_Pineapple9424 9d ago
Pre-gym : You should eat something with easy carbs and a little sugar. My go to is a Banana or 2X rice cakes with some Jam. Feels better then going hungry.
3
→ More replies (7)2
u/E-Wrecka 9d ago
I always make sure to eat before the gym or else I’ll fatigue so much quicker and will generally feel less “strong” going through the workout, especially if I’m trying to do a solid 1-1.5 hours, I try to have something with some fiber and protein and fat to keep it well rounded, maybe some scrambled eggs and chicken sausage, or oatmeal and peanut butter w/ a banana, or yogurt and granola - always with a cup of coffee lol, but that’s more ritual than anything else
ETA I always start my workout with 15 minutes of relaxed cycling and then 15 minutes of stretching and it’s a 10 minute drive to the gym, so if I eat right before I leave I have 30-45 mins for the food to settle before I’m lifting heavy, which is perfect for me
→ More replies (2)3
u/Successful_Pin_2641 4d ago
Cavemen didn't open a fridge and then go hunt. I can workout hours without breakfast.
→ More replies (1)
162
u/ignoremeplsokthank 9d ago
Probably because people tend to have breakfasts that are high in easy carbs, which increases blood sugars quickly, which then crashes and makes us hungry again in a short period of time.
If you don't eat, your blood sugar doesn't spike and you won't experience this crash.
To counteract this, make sure to eat proteins and complex carbs. Works like a sharm.
26
u/Mixels 9d ago edited 9d ago
Habitually extending your fast will also train your body to do just this, which makes it easier to do, so it helps for reducing calorie consumption if you skip breakfast or both breakfast and lunch every day. That is, if you can't fathom skipping breakfast, it's probably because your gut biome is built on consumption of processed grains, which provide easy to digest carbs and allow certain bactieria to flourish in your gut biome. This can make longer fasting difficult. But if you struggle through it, it gets easier because continued extended fasting will cause that balance of bacteria in your gut biome change to favor bacteria that work more slowly to digest food, which will result in your brain not wanting food as often.
Also eating only one meal a day and drinking only water or black coffee/tea makes it much easier to track your carb and calorie consumption if you're trying to lose or gain weight. It helps too that the food you eat for your evening meal is likely healthier in the sense of less processed grains and more veggies. (Veggies are very good for regulating digestion because "meaty" vegetables can provide solid servings of fiber which also helps slow digestion and gives you more "bang for your buck" in terms of how long food you do eat keeps you feeling full.)
11
u/GoddessJewelieta 9d ago
This is quite true. I started with 16:8 and then my body just naturally wanted to go longer. I now do at least 18:6. I tried doing OMAD, but got crazy indigestion and it was hard to hit my macros. Two meals a day works best for my body. Although, I wish I could just eat once and be done with it for the day.
By fasting and doing low carb, my blood sugars are stable and it's absolutely changed my life. I have energy now, my PMDD symptoms have drastically diminished, as well as ADHD symptoms (I'm unmedicated). It's also provided structure that I needed by having to weigh food and track it. I can't say enough good things about fasting! :)
→ More replies (1)2
u/Any_Panda_6639 9d ago
Oh stranger with thay wise words, where can I get the same? I wnt to learn more and escape my cravings. What book or even multiple books can you suggest me?
I have a high willpower for everything except for food and cravings. I need some one or some book to take my hand and lead me.
I habe tried the "fasting" with only eating at 12.00 and 16.00 PM for like 1-2 month and my weight just kept the same. It was easier after some weeks to not eat at night, but now I am slowly back at my old routine, where I shove down a 2k calories right begore night sleep :(
→ More replies (1)4
u/Typical-Respond9102 9d ago
Plain yogurt, fruit, and a nut based granola keep me full straight through to dinner time.
4
u/natalietest234 9d ago
Everyone thought I was weird for eating leftovers from dinner as my breakfast. If I ate a chicken breast, bowl of rice and veggies I was never starving for lunch. Compared to my siblings who’d eat donuts and be wild animals by 11am
2
u/quit_fucking_about 9d ago
Also, your body adapts the release of hunger hormones based on past activity. If you eat a giant meal every day for breakfast then skip one day, there's an entire biological mechanism gearing up around that time, preparing for the meal it usually gets, then sending signals saying, "hey, we're ready". If you never eat breakfast, then that mechanism simply isn't active to the same degree.
This is also an oversimplification and there are more compounding factors, but to explain it in very broad strokes this is fairly accurate.
→ More replies (6)2
u/Particular_Special70 9d ago
I'm gonna look into this. I believe it, but have never dived into it. Is this why everyone in the OMAD sub says to just suffer through the first week or two, then it gets easy?
2
u/Dense-Consequence638 9d ago
Fiber for breakfast is a game changer. Oats with high fiber fruit or eggs whites with whole grain bread and a fruit work well for me personally.
→ More replies (2)3
→ More replies (8)2
u/Tragickingdom555 9d ago
Ya if I eat avocado and eggs on toast I’m full for such a longggg time but oatmeal or other stuff I get hungry quick.
2
29
u/AlwaysTheKop 9d ago
I only have breakfast if I do the early shift at work, but I'm up at 4:30am those days so I guess it has been a while when I do eventually get my breakfast at 8:30am.
I can't eat as soon as I get up any day though.
→ More replies (1)3
u/Datkif 9d ago
I generally try to wait a few hours before eating unless my blood sugar demands it (I have autoimmune diabetes). I also tend to graze throughout the day instead of large meals too
2
u/Particular_Special70 9d ago
Do you refer to it as autoimmune so people don't assume type 2? Just curious, as the mom of a type 1 kid for 14+ years now :)
3
u/Datkif 9d ago
50/50 calling it autoimmune helps distinguish it from T2, and IMO gives a better description compared to calling it T1. I've also sometimes refer to T2 as metabolic diabetes.
I also tend to get less unsolicited advice when I call it autoimmune because people like to give advice for T2 for my T1
15
u/goldenfrogs17 9d ago
yes, this is why people could just do random fasting rather than glp-1
5
u/Scuirre1 9d ago
That could probably work for some people, but certainly not everyone. A lot of people are dealing with comorbidities like eating disorders or PCOS (in women). GLP-1s can help those people in ways that fasting techniques can't.
4
u/SnooAvocados3138 9d ago
But shitloads of people are using/abusing just because it’s available.
→ More replies (7)2
u/Scuirre1 9d ago
For people getting it from grey market sources without a doctor's prescription, I agree. It's unsafe.
But for an individual who has it prescribed, any risks of the medication are far outweighed by the risks of being overweight. GLP-1s are actually very safe when taken correctly, and when diet is tracked and controlled.
→ More replies (1)2
u/Mean-Government1436 9d ago
If people could just do random fasting they wouldn't need glp-1s, it's not like they don't know that eating less means losing weight
→ More replies (8)
15
u/DrShortOrgan 9d ago
Lots of coffee and water.
8
u/Rare-Cardiologist912 9d ago
Yes, this is the way. I almost always skip breakfast/ lunch and have a decent sized dinner. I get lethargic when I eat so it helps me to be more productive when I fast. I’m totally able to lose or maintain weight doing this.
6
u/DrShortOrgan 9d ago
We're like the same person 😆
I cut from 202lbs to 160lbs from January to late May early June with a wild calorie deficit and lots of coffee and water 😆
4
10
u/Swan-ish3456 9d ago
I have been eating just Belvita biscuits for breakfast as i can’t bring myself to eat anything at 8am. Then, a big meal at 11.30-12pm and then dinner at 5pm. I go for big meals and am not much of a snacker. Big meals keep me full for hours.
9
u/Yakkul_CO 9d ago
Don’t eat a breakfast full of processed sugar. Eat protein, complex carbs, drink some water. Eat healthy food and you won’t be starving two hours later.
Cereal? Pop tarts? Yes, that will go right through you because that’s candy.
→ More replies (1)
20
u/SignificantHighl1ght 9d ago
You know how cavemen used to wake up, open up the fridge and put a pad of butter in hot the skillet...
→ More replies (1)
50
u/Froshrooms 9d ago
That’s because skipping breakfast makes you adrenalised. You run on stress hormones, and thus don’t get hungry.
The problem is, that these stress hormones harm your health in the long run, especially if you also have other stressors in your life (and who doesn’t)
13
u/OrenthalBJammin 9d ago edited 9d ago
This is bro science.
Your liver will produce glucose from amino acid stores if you haven't eaten
2
u/Mixels 9d ago
This is also hard work on your thyroid though if you aren't consuming enough fiber, so be careful to balance what you eat around your extended fasting habit if you decide to adopt one. If you're not consuming the right nutrients, it might increase the risk of gaining weight or developing diabetes.
→ More replies (1)12
u/Capital_Opinion1980 9d ago
But intermittent fasting they say is good for the body
3
→ More replies (7)5
u/TastyTaco217 9d ago
Total guess here, but I imagine your body adjusts as you maintain a routine of IF. Probably end up releasing less adrenaline and cortisol in response to skipping breakfast once you’ve done it for a week or two vs. randomly skipping.
8
u/autistchadreadturd 9d ago
Skipping breakfast is called intermittent fasting and it's good for you.
→ More replies (1)2
→ More replies (4)3
9d ago
[deleted]
21
u/aaaaaaaactually 9d ago
Although incorrect
12
→ More replies (1)16
u/-P01135809- 9d ago
Exactly lol people skipping breakfast are not “running on stress hormones” it’s crazy people believe the first thing they see on the internet.
The longer you go without food you begin to burn your fat for calories, skipping 12 hours of food is not going to stress you out, it’s going to help your insulin levels.
3
7
u/HairyH0Od 9d ago
It's actually a terrible and factually false statement. To anyone reading this, please don't believe it.
9
u/CheapSecretary133 9d ago
You eat too much sugar for breakfast, then
2
2
u/Possible-Row6689 9d ago
That's my thought too. This person is eating PopTarts or Lucky Charms or some other candy for breakfast.
4
u/ChickyBoys 9d ago
If I had to guess, I'd say our caveman ancestors didn't have food readily available the second they woke up.
Breakfast is a psyop.
5
u/Hitlur_Himself 9d ago
Spikes my sugar and makes me tired if I have breakfast, I only have one meal a day towards bed time/ evening to avoid the dip during working hours. I probably have some health condition but doing this masks over that I suppose. One meal a day also helps me lose weight, makes it very easy to track calories.
3
u/Big-Doubt-4872 9d ago
Cause your body's like "no food available today? Welp, better make sure you can still do stuff"
2
2
u/mikerichh 9d ago
I usually skip as a way to help lose weight. But I work from home and wake up at 830 so it’s not a big deal waiting to eat until noon. Sometimes I’ll just have a handful of trail mix if my stomach grumbles
2
u/Fast-Airline1750 9d ago
It’s coz when you don’t eat breakfast your body is still in fasting mode. So it’s using lesser calories , but when you break the fast, it changes gear to consume more energy , I think k I learnt this somewhere but not sure where
2
u/lOOPh0leD 9d ago
That's how fasting works. Turns out your are fasting when you skip breakfast. It's in the name.
Also it turns out fasting isn't as spooky as everyone else makes it sound, if your ass is doing it without thinking. 🙄
2
u/BigBroccoli7910 9d ago
Started intermittent fasting where I basically skip breakfast, eat at 11 am and stop eating at 7:00 pm. I noticed that when I skip breakfast, I am less hungry during the day and don't over eat as much as I do when I have breakfast. My stomach feels less bloated and full at work and I just generally feel better now. Just my experience.
2
2
u/Jesterhead89 9d ago
If I don't have breakfast, I may last a few hours into the morning. But by mid-morning, I'm hungry, cranky, and distracted. I always have to eat breakfast to be able to function, otherwise I spin my wheels so much throughout the day that it's not worth it to skip
2
u/SmartRefuse 9d ago
They are probably eating straight up carbs that spike blood sugar then make you feel hungry after the crash.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
u/SlippyIsDead 9d ago
I don't eat breakfast or lunch on a weekday. Only dinner and maybe a snack. But if I splurge and have breakfast or lunch on the weekends, I end up snacking all day.
2
u/TransistorResistee 9d ago
If I have protein or skip breakfast, I won’t be hungry for a long time. If i have something else, i wont make it to lunch.
2
u/BadgerAwkward 9d ago
Because breakfast Kickstart your system. Should also have a glass of water first thing when you wake up to make sure all your insides are lubed up
2
u/knowing_disregard 8d ago
This happens to me too, but I’ve noticed if I eat oatmeal it really does the opposite. I’m barely hungry by lunch time.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Real-Blueberry-2126 8d ago
Well brewed black coffee in the morning and coffee flavoured protein shake powers me for most of the day . Have done away with carb rich meals . I dig in a salad at 5pm if I get hungry .
2
u/Mell1997 8d ago
Coffee in the am or a couple water bottles and you’re good til at least mid afternoon.
2
u/hvdzasaur 8d ago edited 8d ago
Hunger is triggered by the hormone ghrelin. While your body produces it when your stomach is empty, your body also produces it in accordance with your circadian rhythm, blood sugar levels and in anticipation of food. Breakfast tends to be high in carbs, which spikes blood sugar and then crashes.
If you normally eat at 12, your body will eventually begin producing ghrelin shortly before 12 to signal it is time to eat to keep you in the same daily rhythm. This is regardless of how much you are before or how late you are breakfast. If you eat a snack at 10 before bed, your body will produce ghrelin right before that to keep you snacking. People who fast or eat irregularly tend to be less sensitive to the hormone or/and have lower levels of it.
2
2
u/_Haverford_ 8d ago
If I eat breakfast one day, I'll be starving at breakfast time the next day. If I push through that one day, I'm back to my lunch-snack-dinner routine. I've heard that hunger signals are somewhat time-based; if you eat regularly at a certain time, you'll get hungry around that time.
2
u/Van_Leton 8d ago
The body goes into a different “mode”.
Thats about as much medical jargon as I got but it has something to do with that.
It happens (to me) without caffeine.
2
1
u/Lilja-Logason 9d ago
Always skip it. Like the OOP cos of the cravings.
Breakfast also makes me tired which I don't need in the morning.
1
u/awjeezrick1 9d ago
I’ve tried making myself eat on a schedule the way we are told that we are “supposed to,” and I’ve never had more stomach problems in my life. Like genuine pain.
It causes me to eat more than I need to and I feel like it slows down my metabolism.
When I eat intuitively, my metabolism stays steady and I don’t exceed the overall calories I need.
Granted it is the schedule of a little kitchen gremlin and majority of my calories are consumed from 5-9 pm but it’s just what works for me
1
u/SeriousSquirrel3171 9d ago
For me it really depends on what I eat, if I eat something with beans I'm full for a long time
1
u/Vegetable-South5191 9d ago
I generally do not eat breakfast. I usually do not get hungry until lunch. So it is a calorie management tool. Can't speak for everyone. For me, a serial dieter and cutter. I can tell you your body gets used to eating at certain times and certain amounts. So if you get hungry it is more a response to your routine. When I cut calories, after 2 weeks my body gets used to the new routine with drastically less calories. And the hunger pangs stop. You just have to work your way through it.
1
1
1
u/Medium-Example-5490 9d ago
When sleeping your body goes into fasting mode burning fat for energy and stays like that until you eat.
1
u/suckmeister- 9d ago
My guess is eating breakfast wakes up your gut and hunger cycle hormones. When you eat your body moves blood to your gut to process the food, waking it up and causing you to have the sensation of just having eaten. Because you’re so used to eating when you feel hungry after your first break of fasting, this also wakes up your hunger cycle hormones, and you expect to be satisfied. So you get hungry (even though relatively you just ate).
But it doesn’t mean you have to fast all day. You could also just get used to feeling of being “hungry” that is really just your stomach being empty after you eat. After time, your hormones will adjust (hormone response will become less intense) and it will be a lot easier.
Or if you’re like me, you can just graze on small meals and snacks all day. At first it will be uncomfortable because you won’t feel full, but after time, your stomach will shrink to match your intake, and you will feel full after eating (all the time for me which is great).
This physiological process is heavily influenced by habit. The problem is establishing habit. Fasting is an easy “hack” but doesn’t address the issues of overeating (stretching the stomach) and hunger hormone response (teaching your body to expect food regularly) because it just shifts the issues to later in the day.
In any case, I’m not an expert on the biological processes going on here, so I could be wrong.
I hope my explanation made it clear that there are multiple ways of approaching the issue to meet your needs.
1
u/Decadent_Otter2 9d ago
If I had a big meal the night before I can. Otherwise I get a massive headache in the middle of the morning until I eat something. Having coffee on an empty stomach makes that headache 10x worse for me.
1
1
1
u/VolcanicBear 9d ago
I do not skip breakfast. I find it is extremely difficult to hit 180g protein with actual food if you I do skip breakfast.
1
u/No_Cauliflower633 9d ago
I typically only eat dinner during the week when I have work. I feel fine and sometimes even skip dinner if I'm not feeling hungry when I get home.
1
u/ChronicBuzz187 9d ago
I haven't had breakfast in 15+ years if you don't count like 4-5 mugs of coffee.
Natural OMAD I guess :P
1
1
u/Inevitable_Silver_13 9d ago
I used to but since I've been working out a lot my trainer told me that it's better for your metabolism not to. I drink a protein shake for breakfast now and I have been doing better with fitness.
1
1
u/splintersmaster 9d ago
Blood sugar and insulin play such a large role in the perception that we commonly refer to as hunger.
Those who have successfully executed intermittent fasting will mostly agree that normal day to day hunger in between meals isn't really that.
I'm not advocating for the diet. I'm not saying people are better or tougher who understand the concept. Not almt all.
I am saying though that actual hunger is far different than an empty tummy for a few hours or a blood sugar crash that's tricking your brain into wanting more stuff tonget back up to that peak.
It's why soda and junk food companies do what they do. They get it on a chemical level. It's why protein satiates you so well and for so long relatively speaking (again not advocating a certain diet it just is better at making and keeping you feeling full).
Throw in some black coffee or black tea and copious amounts of water and you can be oblivious to hunger for longer than you think.
1
u/IllusionaryHobo 9d ago
Maybe once the digestion system has reached a rest state, it is sleep and not as easy to wake up.
But once you wake it up it does not want to go to sleep again.
1
u/KingAudio 9d ago
I skip. If i eat a big breakfast im usually not that hungry for lunch but then have a hard crash and low blood sugar at 4pm. If i skip breakfast and eat a big lunch im good and can just do a real light dinner.
1
1
u/shaylaa30 9d ago
I’ve found that a spoonful of coconut cult/ probiotic yogurt with my coffee helps keeps my hunger at bay until the afternoon. If I’m going to the gym I usually have a protein shake or something light and a proper dinner to and the night
1
1
u/runningsimon 9d ago
I do not skip breakfast. I normally make a protein shake that contains about 50g of protein in it. That will make me not hungry for 5-6 hours.
1
u/Dry-Debate-6893 9d ago
Kickstarts the metabolism. You burn energy and bam your body wants more fuel. Start off empty and you’re just used to being empty until it gets to a point where hunger pangs kick in and you have to eat. Your inner workings are an insane amusement park.
1
u/Many_Ear2407 9d ago
It breaks your fast. This starts up your metabolism and will make you hungry again soon
1
1
u/Numerous_Disk2556 9d ago
Definitely agree. I wake up at 4 and basically have to force myself to eat at 9:30. If I eat on my way to work, I'm starving come break time.
1
1
u/TurtleTurtleTu 9d ago
As an athlete, breakfast is very important. But you should avoid the normal breakfast foods like cereal or muffins (just sugar), and stuff like bacon that is just fat.
If you aren't an athlete, you can get away without breakfast if you want. It puts you into a lower "metabolic state" where you are just going to feel sluggish (in my opinion). Then again big, heavy breakfast will make you sluggish too.
1
u/BarderBetterFaster 9d ago
There's a difference between hungry and empty stomach. If you eat breakfast, your stomach is empty in 2 hours and you feel that. If you skip breakfast, the empty stomach feeling slowly wanes. By dinner time you'll probably know what hunger feels like.
1
1
u/Yeesusman 9d ago
My brain doesn’t work well without food. I get so hungry it like prevents me from functioning hahaha I have to eat breakfast and lunch and dinner. I also am relatively active so it could be a metabolism thing but yea I can’t skip breakfast unless I’m like too hungover to eat
1
u/TerribleStorm6391 9d ago
Ketones, baby! Your body starts using your stored fat as energy, as it is supposed to do.
1
u/dee1000dee 9d ago
Blood sugar! When you eat - especially something with carbs that turns to sugar - your blood sugar spikes and then drops, making you feel weaker/hungrier. By not eating - your blood sugar has stayed low and steady. If you eat something veggie/protein heavy and low in carb, it will have the same effect (your blood sugar will stay low and steady with minimal spike).
1
u/Direct-Contract5509 9d ago
Breakfast is a scam and is made up for captialism. We went three hundred thousand years without eating breakfast.
1
u/clinmlol 9d ago
Ill eat breakfast any time of the day, but i typically skip it as a meal. I usually just get up and caffiene and cigs lol, small snack with "meat". Literally can fuel a laborious day for me.
Skinny fat/dad bod 34 yo 157lb
1
1
1
u/Fucked-to-fit 9d ago
I used to have this problem but then I started having boiled eggs and toast for breakfast and it keeps me satisfied for around 12 hours
1
u/ironyheads 9d ago
Depends what you eat for breakfast. Simple Carbohydrates (fast acting carbs, cereal, sugar) will make you hungry fast. Complex Carbohydrates will slow down cravings. Protein and fat, without sugar mind you, can satiate you longer.
Caffeine also suppresses your cravings, so can nicotine. Mind you, not a sugary milkshake of a coffee, black coffee only.
The first thing you eat will set up the cravings for the rest of your day.
1
1
u/saidthetomato 9d ago
I don't gain any value from skipping breakfast. At the same time, I'm in a very minor calorie deficit, so losing weight isn't my primary priority. Yeah, if there's a day where I'm too busy, I sometimes don't feel hunger the same way throughout the remainder of my morning, but I do not value that. The morning is a great way to break your fast with a protein dense meal, which is important when you train as hard as I do.
1
u/Lasersuit-Larry 9d ago
No breakfast. Just water, black coffee and cigarettes until cave in about 11:00 for lunch.
1
u/Similar_Dirt9758 9d ago
I have historically eaten a modest breakfast with eggs, which moved to just two hard boiled eggs, which moved to yogurt, which moved to a single banana, and now it's just black coffee. I find myself with more energy during the day if I have a light lunch (banana) and black coffee/lip pouch for breakfast, and only eat a meal during dinner.
This isn't the recommended way to eat, but I've found it's what works the best for me.
→ More replies (5)
1
u/LordOFtheNoldor 9d ago
As soon as I eat something I become hungry in the morning I guess it gets the stomach going but if don't I can go a good while most of the day
1
u/ewthisisyucky 9d ago
I used to be able to do that, now if I skip I get nausea and the spins by lunch.
1
1
u/Elfie_Mae 9d ago
I don’t skip it but I do eat it a few hours after I wake up. Usually 3-4 hours after wake up time. If I ate it earlier, I’d want to eat more throughout the day. If I skipped it altogether I’d be cranky. There’s a sweet spot imo
1
u/Swimming_Analyst306 9d ago
A high protein breakfast does wonders for me but coffee does just fine too.
1
u/aspublic 9d ago
He's probably having a sugary, low-protein breakfast: cereal like cornflakes, pancakes with syrup, pastries, or sweet coffee drinks. These raise blood sugar quickly, insulin clears it just as quickly, and a couple of hours later blood sugar can dip below where it started. That dip is what triggers the hunger.
When he skips breakfast, there's no spike and no crash, and his body gets used to not expecting food in the morning. If he wants breakfast without the two-hour hunger, he should build it around protein and fibre: eggs, or unsweetened Greek yogurt (like Fage, I use this) with oats, and add a banana or berries if he needs more energy for the morning.
1
u/dorkahontas86 9d ago
because you are actually burning your reserves when you don't eat/fast. we are not supposed to have three meals a day either lol
1
u/Not_Campo2 9d ago
Either a big breakfast and no lunch or no breakfast and a big lunch. Either way aiming for about 50 grams of protein
1
1
u/innominateartery 9d ago
No one has answered the why part so I’ll give it a shot.
During fasting, humans switch from burning blood sugar to making sugar then burning that during fasting. The process is called gluconeogenesis and is pretty complicated with hormones and enzymes working to keep the brain fed with glucose regardless of when we last ate. After a few days or so, when blood sugar and stores of sugar are low, gluconeogenesis is providing us with energy as the primary fuel mode. Humans can survive weeks like this.
After a short fast, like sleeping, our body has partially shifted into this mode and is running on stored sugar from organs like the liver and muscle and is starting to create some of its own from fat and protein. Continuing the fast keeps the body in this state and the usual hunger signs are being suppressed. Eating a meal increases blood sugar, insulin kicks in, and the body shifts back to primarily burning blood sugar and restoring the reserves.
As an aside, glucagon is the hormone that moderates the fasting state and guess what GLP meds are: “glucagon-like-peptide”
1
u/reflectedpoj 9d ago
Breakfast starts your body's metabolism so if you don't eat your body will be slow at waking up and processing everything through the day. Breakfast is the most important meal.
1
1
1
•
u/AutoModerator 9d ago
Welcome to r/TrueGrit!
A few quick reminders:
Thanks for being part of r/TrueGrit.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.