Rushing out the door or simply not feeling hungry in the morning? You're not alone—but just how unhealthy is skipping breakfast? We consulted Lolkje de Vries, spokesperson for the Nutrition Center, for evidence-based advice.
Lolkje: "Breakfast has long been called the most important meal of the day, though its origins are unclear. One theory traces it to Kellogg's cornflake marketing in the 1930s, or perhaps to eras of heavy physical labor when a full stomach fueled the day. At the Nutrition Center, we view breakfast as important—but no more so than lunch or dinner. Regular mealtimes matter most, ideally aligned with the disc of five food groups."
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After a night's sleep, your digestion has paused, and your body needs fresh energy. A nutritious breakfast—around 300 to 500 calories—revives your metabolism and provides essential nutrients for an energized start. Not hungry first thing? Give yourself time to wake up, or pack a meal for later at work.
Intermittent fasters often delay until 10 or 11 a.m., which isn't harmful if you meet daily nutrient needs—though you might feel more tired initially. Completely skipping to lunch misses a key eating window.
