The word ‘breakfast’ has been misunderstood/misguided since quite a long time, hasn’t it?
(No technicalities. Some layman questions only.)
What is real the meaning of breakfast?
As per my understanding, breakfast simply means, breaking a fast. Breaking a fast after an overnight sleep, in general, is referred to, as breakfast, by many.
Why is it called a fast at the first place? Because after dinner, when you sleep for a substantial amount of time, you’re not in taking any food/water while you’re asleep. And hence, your body is devoid of food/water when you wake up.
For example, if you had your dinner at 08:00 pm, slept later and woke up the next morning around 08:00 am. Your body is already in a fasted state since 12 hours.
(This is only applicable if you’re really empty stomach till you wake up in the morning; unlike some, who binge eat/drink and gulp some calories down).
So, it should be safe to say that the first meal you intake after waking up from a long night’s sleep is referred to as breakfast.
Ideal time for breakfast?
What is the recommended time of breakfast? It’s somewhere between 08 am-10 am, isn’t it?
What if someone is not hungry or doesn’t feel like having anything during that time?
Breakfast - The heaviest meal of the day?
Breakfast is said to be the heaviest meal of the day, isn’t it?
Let’s break it down.
First up, what is the definition of ‘a heavy meal’? Does it refer to only a calorie rich food? Or does it mean macro/micro nutrient dense food?
Secondly, should it be only consumed before 12 pm? Because after 12 pm is considered to be lunch, isn’t it?
If you’re very well confused by now, here’s a simple way out.
Before having any food/beverage in the morning, after you wake up, just ask one simple question to yourself, “Am I really hungry?” If the answer is really “yes”, it’s your will; if “no” and still you’re having it, it’s a compulsion.
Compulsions like social norm, peer pressure, habit (not necessarily a good one), a feel-good factor only etc exist.
I’ve not mentioned anything relating to food, fast, nutrition, timing, quality, quantity etc. I may cover all these aspects in upcoming blogs. But for now, wanted to keep it simple and easy to understand.
