Is It Healthier to Skip Breakfast or Just Go Ahead and Eat A Doughnut?

We're always reminded that you need to start your day with a healthy breakfast. But how many times have you slept in or felt too rushed and haven't eaten anything until noon?

When we skip breakfast, we are tempted by doughnuts, pastries and the likes. Is it healthy to not eat anything or just get some food in ya in the a.m.?

“When we skip breakfast, we are actually doing a major disservice to our bodies,” says Maya Bach, LDN, owner at River North Nutrition in Chicago.

“Your body is ‘fasting’ all night, so in the morning, your body needs fuel to start revving up our metabolism. And without food as fuel, our bodies aren’t able to function at peak performance.”

“It’s better to eat something than nothing in the morning,“ says Lindsay Joe, RDN, a Greatist expert. “Our bodies are similar to cars—if we don’t have any gas in the tank, performing even the simplest of tasks becomes exhausting and stressful on the body.“

Studies also show eating a consistent breakfast is associated with the reduced risk of health consequences like obesity and hypertension.

“While a doughnut isn’t the ideal fuel for your body, it will at least jump-start your metabolism, helping your body and brain get moving,“ Bach says. “If you eat nothing, chances are you will feel tired, sluggish, and have low energy throughout your morning.”

Of course we're not telling you to 'go for it' and eat like crap in the morning!

There is mixed research for this, one study suggests suggests passing on breakfast, or even a late-night meal, could be a beneficial form of intermittent fasting if done correctly. 

Another study suggests that, for some adults, skipping breakfast may reduce the number of calories eaten overall compared to those who ate breakfast.

Just remember if you're treating yourself:

“Choose an option that’s higher in protein or fat to help blunt the effect of that sugar high,” Bach says. “Think of peanut butter-filled, pistachio, or coconut-topped varieties. Better yet, carry a few almonds or nuts of your choice with you so you can eat them along with the treats.

“Still, this isn’t an everyday (or even twice-a-week) type of thing; you’re still adding extra calories from fat and empty calories from sugars to your weekly intake.”

If  you have the chance, choosing a doughnut rather than eating nothing at all can jumpstart your metabolism and give your body the fuel it needs.

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