Leading a healthy life is all about creating healthy daily habits–and this is especially true when it comes to the way you start your day. Our morning habits can make or break how we feel throughout the day, and, over time, they can also play a major role in our all-around health. Some of the most important habits are those revolving around your diet, which plays an especially important part in the health of your gut. And you know what they say: breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so making healthy diet decisions each morning is essential. In fact, there’s one breakfast mistake many people make on a regular basis that could be throwing a wrench in your digestive health: skipping breakfast altogether.
To learn more about how failing to eat breakfast can cause gut health issues, we spoke to functional medicine dietitian Meg Gerber. She told us that this mistake could lead to poorly managed blood sugar, resulting in inflammation, weight gain, and more. Find all of her insight and advice below!
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Skipping breakfast
Skipping meals may be tempting if you’re trying to slim down and save calories–or even if you just tend to be in a hurry every morning. However, health experts agree that rushing out the door without eating a nutritious breakfast can have serious consequences on your health, especially your gut health. In fact, it’s likely that it could lead to weight gain, rather than weight loss.
“It is critical that we make time for breakfast as it helps us manage our stress levels and break our overnight fasting,” Gerber tells us. She explains that if you frequently fail to get something in your stomach in the morning, you could run into “poorly managed blood sugar from repeatedly skipping meals or undereating.”
That poorly managed blood sugar can lead to a range of issues, including weight gain and, eventually, bigger health risks like diabetes and other diseases. However, skipping breakfast also takes a serious toll on your gut. “If we do not eat our breakfast, our body registers this as unsafe and therefore does not prioritize gut repair, optimal digestion, and health hormone output,” Gerber warns. “By not eating, it turns down the dial of metabolism to protect itself and can cause sluggish digestion.”
That means a quick breakfast whenever possible is an absolute necessity if you want to keep your gut health (and your overall health) in order–but of course, the quality of the breakfast is also important. Processed, high-sugar foods made with refined carbs (which are popular, convenient options) can also do damage to your digestive system. Luckily, though, there are plenty of other, healthier choices when it comes to breakfast. For example, you can go with some fruit, a bowl of yogurt and granola, or some whole grain toast with avocado. Overall, you should prioritize whole grains, protein, and fiber. This will not only promote a healthy gut, but will also keep you fuller longer in order to help you on your weight loss journey.
At the end of the day, of course, your gut health is personal to you–which means that if you’re experiencing ongoing digestive issues, the best course of action is to speak to a doctor to get down to the bottom of things and figure out your specific needs. However, ensuring you’re eating a healthy breakfast each morning is just one of the things you can do to keep your gut as healthy as possible.
