Skipping breakfast is not healthy

Q :Why is breakfast important?

A : “You wake up in an inactive state. Eating breakfast helps replenish energy and make your mind more alert and body more active,” says Christine Le, D.O., a boardcertified Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “Skipping breakfast means skipping an energy source, and that can leave you feeling listless and less productive.”

Dr. Le says skipping breakfast is a common – but misguided – strategy for people trying to lose weight.

“It’s usually unsuccessful,” she notes. “Here’s why: Skipping breakfast can leave you feeling so hungry that by lunchtime you may eat more than you normally would. This cancels out calories you meant to save by cutting out breakfast. It may also lead you to make unhealthy food choices, such as quick-fix carbohydrates, to try and alleviate your ‘I’m starving’ feeling.”

Dr. Le says your morning food choices are also important.

“A sugary breakfast, such as donuts, can do more harm than good,” she warns. “Initially, you may get a quick boost. But that kind of sugar-driven energy disappears in a few hours and can leave you feeling more sluggish than before eating.”

Her breakfast suggestions include:

• Scrambled or hard-boiled egg on whole-wheat toast.

• Oatmeal with fresh fruit and walnuts.

• Whole-grain cereal with sliced fruit.

“Eat a nourishing breakfast to help start your day with renewed energy,” she advises.

Fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, Dr. Le welcomes new patients at Kelsey Seybold’s Tanglewood Clinic.