The statistics say that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight than those who don't. Plus there is all that 'scientific evidence' that suggests we need a good breakfast to fuel our bodies after the nighttime fast. So, it's hard not to be pressurised into believing that going without our morning oats is of dire consequences to our health (and weight).
I have often eaten breakfast even if I wasn't hungry (although admittedly, I usually wake up starving!) so I found Karen Knowler's recent blog entry (Link: Karen Knowler * The Raw Food Coach: The 9 Little Tweaks That Could Make All The Difference) enlightening, and so in line with what I think intuitive eating is about.
Karen says about breakfast:
"The most important meal of the day? Only if you’re hungry! It’s amazing how many people will force breakfast down even though they’re still digesting last night’s dinner and don’t feel hungry at all. Why? Because we’re told to.
"By who? The famous “they” of course! Forget about “them” and ask your body: “Am I hungry?” If yes, eat. If no, don’t! (But do have a large glass of water, whether that be warm or room temperature as this will help the cleansing cycle that runs from 4am til noon)."
And this is so true I think. Although since ditching the diet I've been eating smaller meals more in line with what my body needs (so I'm generally in need of a good scran when I wake up) I have found on some mornings I don't need to eat practically on waking. It's easy for me though, I work from home, so when I do need to eat I have full access to the kitchen.
For those peeps heading out to work elsewhere who are not hungry the moment the cock crows, I'd suggest taking whatever it is you'd like to eat for your breakfast with you (to save scoffing stuff you don't actually want because choice is limited). That way, you can still eat intuitively.
My mum has always said:
Eat like a king or queen at breakfast, a prince or princess at lunch and a pauper at tea. As she has lost a lot of weight and kept it off perhaps I should listen more.
I had meatballs and scrambled egg this morning - seemed a good idea at the time.
Posted by: Linda | October 11, 2006 at 11:23 AM