Skipping breakfast could help you LOSE weight, experts say

SKIPPING breakfast could help you lose weight not gain it, experts said today.

Those who miss the day’s first meal are on average almost one pound lighter, scientists discovered.

It debunks the idea missing the "most important" meal of the day causes you to pile on pounds.

A review found they did not have greater appetite later in the afternoon and evening – and consumed 260 fewer daily calories overall.

Experts said breakfast should no longer be considered the most important meal of the day, particularly for slimmers.

Scientists from Monash University in Australia examined 13 studies related to breakfast and weight in high income countries, including the UK.

The analysis, in the BMJ, found those who went without in the morning were 0.44kg lighter [15 ounces].

It concludes: “Although eating breakfast regularly could have other important effects, caution is needed when recommending breakfast for weight loss in adults, as it may have the opposite effect.

“While breakfast has been advocated as the most important meal of the day in the media since 1917, there is a paucity of evidence to support breakfast consumption as a strategy to achieve weight loss, including in adults with overweight or obesity.”

There is no clear benefit of starting to eat breakfast just as a tool to lose weight

Dr Frankie Phillips, from the British Dietetic Association

Experts said there evidence to suggest it can boost concentration levels in children.

Previous studies have suggested eating breakfast revs up the metabolism and can help dieters from scoffing excess calories during the rest of the day.

Professor Tom Sanders, Emeritus Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said the latest review is “not credible”.

He said: “The conclusion that there is no adjustment in appetite for skipping breakfast is clearly wrong.

“It would be unfortunate if this report was used to discourage people from eating breakfast.”

Prof Sander said he would expect someone to be a stone and a half lighter if they consumed 260 fewer calories.

Dr Frankie Phillips, from the British Dietetic Association, said: “Whilst some studies do show that people who eat breakfast tend to be a healthier weight, there is no clear benefit of starting to eat breakfast just as a tool to lose weight.

“The study shows that simply having breakfast isn’t a magic recipe for weight loss for everyone.”

In a bid to combat obesity, Public Health England wants people to eat 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner – a total of 1,600 a day.

The remainder of a person’s daily allowance should be made up from snacks and drinks.

Officials suggest a total intake of 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.

We pay for your stories! Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours