Do you eat breakfast?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I really need to because of my activity level (lots of training for multi-sport).

I could see skipping it, and I think it might help with fat adaptation a little bit - meaning the ability to be a little bit more flexible in your energy source. Flexibility there is a good thing, and not something you "train" other than through normal every day habits.

As for my breakfast, I am addicted to an oatmeal product with flax seed, fresh blueberries, raisins, walnuts, and zero fat Greek yogurt. I also have some tart cherry juice. I am addicted to this so much that I will often eat this after a long-ish (2.5-3 hour) indoor workout. I really enjoy it that much.

A lot of people poop all over oatmeal, but it has worked really well for me. I eat the same breakfast every single day. And, the same for my races. My grandfather also was an oatmeal guy. He made it to 85 while working a family farm into the late 1970s. My numbers with this diet are also great after a long long period of heavy drinking and obesity, so something is working.

Curious what the oatmeal is?

[Anonymous]

I do not, I have PCOS and fasting has helped me lose weight for the first time in my life. I am overweight but was morbidly obese and am not JUST overweight! I have a lot of muscle though and while I think I am a bit overweight but less than my BMI would imply because of that. I am a smaller clothing size then websites think I should be based on my height and weight (165, 5'3).

I don't think fasting works for everyone and you should listen to your body! I usually eat my first meal after 11 (sometimes breakfast food, sometimes lunch food) and eat nothing after 7. I do drink coffee. Like another poster I find that exercising with food in my stomach is unpleasant.

I will say when I am doing more weight lifting I find it more important to get some food in my before and after a workout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I really need to because of my activity level (lots of training for multi-sport).

I could see skipping it, and I think it might help with fat adaptation a little bit - meaning the ability to be a little bit more flexible in your energy source. Flexibility there is a good thing, and not something you "train" other than through normal every day habits.

As for my breakfast, I am addicted to an oatmeal product with flax seed, fresh blueberries, raisins, walnuts, and zero fat Greek yogurt. I also have some tart cherry juice. I am addicted to this so much that I will often eat this after a long-ish (2.5-3 hour) indoor workout. I really enjoy it that much.

A lot of people poop all over oatmeal, but it has worked really well for me. I eat the same breakfast every single day. And, the same for my races. My grandfather also was an oatmeal guy. He made it to 85 while working a family farm into the late 1970s. My numbers with this diet are also great after a long long period of heavy drinking and obesity, so something is working.

Curious what the oatmeal is?

It’s this one: https://naturespath.com/products/flax-plus-hot-oatmeal-np-us. It has a little bit of care sugar, but not a lot. I’m able to get the overlords at Amazon to send me boxes on a schedule.

I do spend a lot of time buying fresh produce, but it’s worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to but I don’t anymore - there is more conflicting evidence now. Instead, I’m working with a nutritionist and eating to improve my health. I was able to get my blood sugar and cholesterol in normal range by eating breakfast (I didn’t used to). Like you said, breakfast gives me energy to work out in the morning and that was one incentive. I also follow the “glucose goddess” tips (I was prediabetic previously). I have a high protein, savory breakfast and a sugar free protein shake (monk fruit sweetened) and dump some coffee in it. I do a Mediterranean diet type snack for the afternoon- a mix of some raw veggies and fruits, nuts, seeds, sometimes a small piece of salmon. Then I have a normal dinner - always with veggies and usually to start the meal. I would say I usually fast 12-15 hours a day but I’m not intentionally doing it- it just depends what time I finish dinner and what time I start breakfast.

Personally, I do better with this type of plan and it’s the only time I’ve been able to bring down my A1C and cholesterol. Intermittent fasting on its own didn’t help with that for me on its own - so it’s more about *what* you’re eating than the windows of time you’re eating in when it comes to health. I am a normal BMI.

I am confused because you start out saying you don’t eat breakfast any more but your plan seems to include breakfast and you say breakfast helped fix things.

Sorry- my bad. I used to do intermittent fasting but don't anymore. I eat a high protein breakfast early (like between 7-9am), give myself time to digest and then do workout- usually weight lifting and cardio.

[Anonymous]

I eat breakfast - usually eggs with sauteed greens and a piece of Dave's wheat bread toasted with real butter. And coffee, black.

But, I tend to front load my daily calories. That breakfast is usually my biggest meal. Light lunch and small dinner. I rarely eat (or drink) after 6 pm. I usually eat breakfast around 8, so I guess I do fast for about 14 hours a day though I've never done it intentionally.

[Anonymous]

I used to always eat breakfast a large one, leftovers from night before. Think curry, pizza, steak, etc.
But, now it is too much to eat that much before work so I don't on workdays as I wake up at 5 am. I still eat breakfast on the weekends. I am 120lbs 5'4", never been overweight.

[Anonymous]

I think IF works for some people, but not for me.

I feel so much better, make better choices, and burn more calories if I eat breakfast.

My ideal schedule:
coffee with milk and sugar
carb-heavy breakfast
workout
post-exercise electrolyte drink
green smoothie with protein
big green salad with grains and protein
kombucha or iced coffee
balanced dinner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I really need to because of my activity level (lots of training for multi-sport).

I could see skipping it, and I think it might help with fat adaptation a little bit - meaning the ability to be a little bit more flexible in your energy source. Flexibility there is a good thing, and not something you "train" other than through normal every day habits.

I also have high activity levels, and am much more concerned with adequate energy availability and ability to tolerate fueling around competition than I am with fat adaptation. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports can lead to a lot of long-term health issues.

I eat first breakfast, train, eat second breakfast. Train again later. Healthy BMI, although my coach thinks I could stand to gain a couple of pounds.

[Anonymous]

Yes I do. Most days I eat one egg scrambled with spinach/broccoli/cheese.
I also drink coffee with 3 sugars and half and half… I’m overweight by about 10-15lbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think IF works for some people, but not for me.

I feel so much better, make better choices, and burn more calories if I eat breakfast.

My ideal schedule:
coffee with milk and sugar
carb-heavy breakfast
workout
post-exercise electrolyte drink
green smoothie with protein
big green salad with grains and protein
kombucha or iced coffee
balanced dinner

Which electrolyte drink do you use? I'm thinking of trying LMNT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I really need to because of my activity level (lots of training for multi-sport).

I could see skipping it, and I think it might help with fat adaptation a little bit - meaning the ability to be a little bit more flexible in your energy source. Flexibility there is a good thing, and not something you "train" other than through normal every day habits.

I also have high activity levels, and am much more concerned with adequate energy availability and ability to tolerate fueling around competition than I am with fat adaptation. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports can lead to a lot of long-term health issues.

I eat first breakfast, train, eat second breakfast. Train again later. Healthy BMI, although my coach thinks I could stand to gain a couple of pounds.

Fair, and what you describe is pretty much exactly my pattern. Though if we are talking up to 1.5 hours for time reasons I might just eat a banana and start immediately, without eating my normal breakfast.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do, but I really need to because of my activity level (lots of training for multi-sport).

I could see skipping it, and I think it might help with fat adaptation a little bit - meaning the ability to be a little bit more flexible in your energy source. Flexibility there is a good thing, and not something you "train" other than through normal every day habits.

I also have high activity levels, and am much more concerned with adequate energy availability and ability to tolerate fueling around competition than I am with fat adaptation. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports can lead to a lot of long-term health issues.

I eat first breakfast, train, eat second breakfast. Train again later. Healthy BMI, although my coach thinks I could stand to gain a couple of pounds.

Fair, and what you describe is pretty much exactly my pattern. Though if we are talking up to 1.5 hours for time reasons I might just eat a banana and start immediately, without eating my normal breakfast.

Similar for me, although my time-crunch breakfast is often oatmeal with brown sugar. I get fancier with toppings if I am not training immediately afterwards.

I know some people love intermittent fasting, but it really doesn't seem compatible with competitive athletics or a really active lifestyle.

And for OP, today's first breakfast was plain Greek yogurt with berries and peanut butter. Second breakfast was a whole wheat bagel with 3 eggs and some cherry tomatoes. This is pretty normal for me.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and yes.

I eat a high protein/high fiber breakfast. I never eat a sugary breakfast or something like cereal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IF works for some people, but not for me.

I feel so much better, make better choices, and burn more calories if I eat breakfast.

My ideal schedule:
coffee with milk and sugar
carb-heavy breakfast
workout
post-exercise electrolyte drink
green smoothie with protein
big green salad with grains and protein
kombucha or iced coffee
balanced dinner

Which electrolyte drink do you use? I'm thinking of trying LMNT.

I do half coconut water, half plain water, and a big scoop of greens powder with Chlorella.