Rise and dine … or not?

Find out what happens when you miss out on the first meal of the day.

Lack of hunger and pursuit of weight loss are some reasons why people may bypass breakfast.

a collage featuring an empty dinner plate, a plate with a salad with chicken and avocafo, and a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs with a clock in the center of all 3 plates

Photo:Getty Images

Breakfast is the morning meal that breaks your night-long fast, which is extended for people who skip breakfast.

This article will dive into what happens to your body when you skip breakfast, according to health experts.

You Might Sap Your Energy Levels.

Why eat breakfast regularly?

You Could Throw Off Your Hormones.

Cortisol greatly impacts your mood, your stress response and how you respond to daily tasks and situations.

Generally, cortisol levels are higher when you wake up and decline as the day goes on.

You May Feel More Moody or Anxious.

When persistently high, cortisol levels are associated with anxiety and depression, says Rifkin.

Breakfast is an early opportunity to nourish your brain and mental health.

You Could Have More Cravings.

Eating a breakfast that incorporates protein-rich foods can help curb cravings and balance your blood sugar levels.

You May Harm Your Heart Health.

LDL is a throw in of cholesterol that may contribute toheart attack and strokerisk.

You Might Slow Your Metabolism.

Without breakfast, the body goes looking for energy elsewhere, pulling reserves from our fat and muscle tissue.

This requires energy to do!

As a result, other processes slow down to conserve energy and allow it to route toward survival.

Darby describes your bodys survival mechanism that happens when its not sure when more food will come.

So, eating breakfast is a healthier option for more sustainable weight loss and better metabolic health.

Does Skipping Breakfast Help You Lose Weight?

According to a 2022 study inNutrients, skipping breakfast was related to insulin resistance and weight gain.

On top of that, it can negatively affect your health overall, which just isnt worth it.

Obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other health consequences have been linked with regularly skipping breakfast, says Berghoff.

Avoiding food when youre hungry can thwart your hunger and fullness hormones, which are there for a reason.

These hormonesleptin and ghrelinhelp you healthily regulate your appetite, so keeping them at optimal levels is essential.

She further highlights the connection of eating breakfast to weight.

Researchshows those who eat breakfast regularly tend to weigh less.

A great breakfast is about the power trio: fat, fiber and protein.

This combination is your secret to energizing and keeping your blood sugar happy.

An easy example would look like whole-wheat avocado toast with an egg on top.

I recommend starting small to get your body used to having some sort of food in the morning.

Starting with something that may be more typical of a snack size is usually a good starting point.

Pacheo suggests keeping things simple yet satisfying.

Bake upmake-ahead breakfaststhat can make the choice of whether or not to eat in the A.M. an easy one.

Not a breakfast-food lover?

Thats OK, too.

Its totally OK to opt out of traditional breakfast foods.