Breakfast is a surprisingly controversial meal. Many swear it’s a crucial part of setting yourself up for a successful day, but some decide to skip it. While nearly 85 percent of Americans over 20 years old eat breakfast, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone approaches the first meal of the day differently, including the timing of it.
Many people, myself included, try to squeeze in breakfast when they can, but are guilty of skipping it more often than they’d like to admit. So, when is the best time to eat breakfast, and does it matter if you have a heavy or light meal?
I interviewed five nutrition experts and learned that there are a few lifestyle factors to consider when trying to figure out your optimal breakfast time. Here’s what they had to say.
Is There a “Best” Time to Eat Breakfast?
The best time to eat breakfast is a bit tricky to nail down. However, there is a general time window to consider.
“Most of the studies say to eat breakfast before 10 a.m.,” says Gabrielle Gambino, a senior clinical dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell…