emirates7 - “I haven’t eaten all day” might sound dramatic, but it’s not the kind of flex it’s made out to be.
If you’re in the habit of skipping breakfast while glued to your phone, science may give you a reason to reconsider. Recent research indicates that eating breakfast before 9 a.m. could help reduce the risk of depression. But before you worry, let’s break down what that really means.
Why breakfast matters (though maybe not the way you think)
Breakfast has long been promoted as the “most important meal of the day” — and for good reason. A balanced morning meal provides energy, balances blood sugar, curbs cravings, and helps kickstart metabolism. But the timing of breakfast may be just as important as the food itself.
This trend is especially evident among teenagers. A CDC survey tracking adolescent health habits from 2013 to 2023 found that only about one in four high school students eats breakfast daily. While soda consumption dropped slightly and water intake improved, overall healthy eating, exercise, and sleep patterns declined. Daily breakfast intake fell to 27 percent, with girls reporting just 22 percent compared to 32 percent of boys. Male students were also more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and drink water multiple times a day. The study further linked skipping breakfast with poorer mental health and other unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as lack of exercise.
The science is clear: both what you eat and when you eat can affect more than just weight or energy levels — they can also influence mood. Gut health, hormone balance, and mental well-being are closely tied, and a consistent breakfast routine can help support all three.
So, is there a perfect time to eat breakfast?
Many experts recommend between 7 and 8 a.m., shortly after waking. But in practice, it depends on factors like your dinner time, sleep schedule, and nighttime habits. Skipping breakfast after a late dinner isn’t ideal, but neither is forcing yourself to eat by the clock if you’re not ready.
A good guideline is to aim for breakfast about 12 hours after your last meal. So, if you finish dinner at 8 p.m., aim to eat around 8 a.m. If your evening runs late, you can shift breakfast slightly — but skipping it altogether can leave you sluggish, hungrier later in the day, and may negatively affect your gut and overall health.
If you’re in the habit of skipping breakfast while glued to your phone, science may give you a reason to reconsider. Recent research indicates that eating breakfast before 9 a.m. could help reduce the risk of depression. But before you worry, let’s break down what that really means.
Why breakfast matters (though maybe not the way you think)
Breakfast has long been promoted as the “most important meal of the day” — and for good reason. A balanced morning meal provides energy, balances blood sugar, curbs cravings, and helps kickstart metabolism. But the timing of breakfast may be just as important as the food itself.
This trend is especially evident among teenagers. A CDC survey tracking adolescent health habits from 2013 to 2023 found that only about one in four high school students eats breakfast daily. While soda consumption dropped slightly and water intake improved, overall healthy eating, exercise, and sleep patterns declined. Daily breakfast intake fell to 27 percent, with girls reporting just 22 percent compared to 32 percent of boys. Male students were also more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and drink water multiple times a day. The study further linked skipping breakfast with poorer mental health and other unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as lack of exercise.
The science is clear: both what you eat and when you eat can affect more than just weight or energy levels — they can also influence mood. Gut health, hormone balance, and mental well-being are closely tied, and a consistent breakfast routine can help support all three.
So, is there a perfect time to eat breakfast?
Many experts recommend between 7 and 8 a.m., shortly after waking. But in practice, it depends on factors like your dinner time, sleep schedule, and nighttime habits. Skipping breakfast after a late dinner isn’t ideal, but neither is forcing yourself to eat by the clock if you’re not ready.
A good guideline is to aim for breakfast about 12 hours after your last meal. So, if you finish dinner at 8 p.m., aim to eat around 8 a.m. If your evening runs late, you can shift breakfast slightly — but skipping it altogether can leave you sluggish, hungrier later in the day, and may negatively affect your gut and overall health.