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Food

The One Meal You Can Pig Out On And Still Lose Weight, According To Experts

August 12, 2017 by Blair Donovan
shefinds | Food
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You've probably heard the warnings over and over about how eating a lot in one sitting can hinder your weight loss goals. But, get this—there's one meal experts claim is actually ok to pig out on for weight loss. Hint: it's probably one of your favorite meals of the day.

 

[Photos: Shutterstock]

breakfast waffles

Surprise, surprise—apparently eating a lot during the most important meal of the day, breakfast, can help you lose weight. The Journal of Nutrition just published a new study that supports this claim. Intrigued yet?

pancakes

The study looked into the best timing, number, and size of meals for BMI. Researchers analyzed more than 50,000 adults, and found that the participants who ate the largest meal of the day during breakfast had the lowest BMIs, compared to those who stuffed their faces during lunch or dinner. The study suggests that eating a large breakfast, conbined with skipping snacks and eating less often, can help stop weight gain. 

avocado

The research also found that eating breakfast and lunch about five to six hours apart might be another weight loss hack. This study contradicts the popular belief that eating several small meals a day is the most effective weight loss strategy. Researchers actually found that those who ate more meals during the day but had a large dinner had the highest BMIs. 

Make-ahead breakfast ideas

If this information rings true, that doesn't mean you can treat yourself to a donut every morning. Try to eat healthier breakfast foods, like eggs or avocado, in large portions to hold you over until lunchtime. This argument also makes brunch sound even more appealing, if that's even possible.

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Belvita energy bites in a dispenser
Woman pouring salad dressing over a fresh salad
Grocery shopping for healthy food
Stressed out woman
Eating burgers and drinking soda
Vegan salad with lentils, pumpkin, and dried tomatoes
Shutterstock image representing healthy eating
Woman eating granola with berries and yogurt
Taco Bell restaurant and food
Woman enjoying a healthy breakfast
General Mills headquarters with cereal products
Vegetarian tacos on a plate
Cultured dairy products aisle in a supermarket
Woman eating walnuts as a snack
Breakfast buffet with eggs benedict and fresh fruit
Young woman with chia seed yogurt
Stepping onto a scale for weight measurement
Shutterstock image of a healthy meal
Aldi street taco diced chicken rice cooker
Hand holding a paper container with fresh salad greens
Belvita energy bites in a dispenser
Woman pouring salad dressing over a fresh salad
Grocery shopping for healthy food
Stressed out woman
Eating burgers and drinking soda
Vegan salad with lentils, pumpkin, and dried tomatoes
Shutterstock image representing healthy eating
Woman eating granola with berries and yogurt
Taco Bell restaurant and food
Woman enjoying a healthy breakfast
General Mills headquarters with cereal products
Vegetarian tacos on a plate
Cultured dairy products aisle in a supermarket
Woman eating walnuts as a snack
Breakfast buffet with eggs benedict and fresh fruit
Young woman with chia seed yogurt
Stepping onto a scale for weight measurement
Shutterstock image of a healthy meal
Aldi street taco diced chicken rice cooker
Hand holding a paper container with fresh salad greens